Author
Current system:
Holding a residence permit is a fundamental legal requirement for all foreign nationals residing in Egypt, including refugees and asylum seekers, in accordance with Egyptian law. Law No. 89 of 1960 on the Entry and Residence of Foreign Nationals in Egypt. Article 16 of the law states:
Every foreign national must obtain a residence permit, and must leave the territory of the United Arab Republic[1] at the end of the permitted period of residence unless they have obtained an extension from the Ministry of Interior before its expiry.
The law also imposes financial penalties for non-compliance with this requirement. According to the amendments introduced under Law No. 77 of 2016, a fine of 1,000 Egyptian pounds is imposed on anyone who violates Article 16 during the first three months of failing to renew their residence permit. This fine increases by 50% for every additional three-month period of delay. In some cases, penalties may extend to deportation, particularly when delays persist without submitting an official renewal request.
Although many refugees in Egypt hold asylum seeker or refugee cards issued by UNHCR, some Egyptian police officers do not recognise these cards as valid residence documents and require refugees to present an Egyptian residence permit during security checks or official procedures. Therefore, all refugees and asylum seekers are advised to apply for a residence permit as soon as they register with UNHCR and to renew it regularly to avoid legal complications during their stay in Egypt.
Notably, even after completing registration, refugees continue to face considerable obstacles in obtaining a residence permit from the Egyptian Ministry of Interior. While the permit itself is valid for no more than six months, the process to obtain it can take between five and six months, pushing refugees to begin renewal procedures months in advance to avoid potential legal consequences.
In addition to lengthy waiting periods, the limited number of UNHCR offices in Egypt — restricted to two branches in Zamalek and Sixth of October City, each assigned to specific nationalities — further complicates the situation. By the beginning of May 2025, UNHCR had closed its office in Zamlaek and kept only the one of Sheikh Zayed in Cairo to serve all nationalities. Regardless of where they reside in Egypt, refugees must travel to the designated office to complete procedures, incurring high financial costs and increased legal risks, particularly for those without identity documents.
These conditions have a disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied minors, survivors of violence, and newborns, who may face arrest or detention due to the lack of residence permits or registration documents. The complexity of the process also results in refugees being denied access to essential services such as healthcare, education, and social assistance, whether from government entities or local and international organizations, all of which require valid official documentation.[2] This situation creates a precarious legal environment for individuals who assist undocumented refugees, as they may face criminal charges under Article 8 of the Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Law No. 82 of 2016, which criminalises harbouring or providing services to irregular migrants with knowledge of their legal status. This heightens the isolation of refugees and limits their ability to access any form of support, which is an approach that is also reflected in 2024 Asylum Law.
Foreign nationals are permitted to reside in Egypt, but they must obtain a residence permit issued by the relevant government authority, specifically the General Directorate of Passports, Immigration, and Nationality under the Ministry of Interior. The requirements and procedures for obtaining a residence permit vary depending on the type of residency requested. Below are the procedures for obtaining a residence permit for refugees in Egypt and the challenges they face:
The process of obtaining a residence permit for refugees in Egypt begins with securing a reference number from UNHCR or one of its partner organizations. Once this number is obtained, the applicant must go to the General Directorate of Passports, Immigration, and Nationality, located at 12 El-Sikka El-Beida Street in El-Waily, Cairo, next to the Police Academy in Abbasiya. At the directorate, the required documents are submitted to the Communications Office. These include a copy of the UNHCR-issued asylum card and the reference number. After submission, an appointment is set to complete the remaining steps of the application.
On the scheduled day, the refugee must appear at the residency office in Abbasiya with the original asylum card and the passports of all registered family members. If a passport is missing, a police report documenting the loss must be submitted. The applicant must also present the UNHCR reference number and a personal photo for each adult. After the application is received, fingerprints are taken, and another appointment is set to collect the residence card, which is valid for six months. Once issued, it is advisable to keep a copy of the permit in a safe place, as it will be required for future renewal.
If the residence permit is lost, the individual must file a loss report at the relevant police station, then go to the Passports and Immigration Directorate in Abbasiya to request a replacement. If the permit was already expired at the time of loss, no replacement will be issued; instead, a new application must be submitted for a fresh permit.
Renewal follows the same steps as the initial application, starting with obtaining a new reference number from UNHCR or its partners, and then proceeding to the directorate to complete the process.
In the case of a lost passport, a police report must be filed at the station in the place of residence or where the loss occurred. This report may be required when renewing the residence permit.
In general, many refugees in Egypt report that the dates they are given to receive their residence permits are scheduled years in advance, some as far as the end of 2027.[3] In the meantime, they face restrictions on their movement due to fear of being stopped by security forces. Egyptian police officers often do not recognise the UNHCR-issued asylum card unless it is accompanied by a valid residence permit. They also do not accept the receipt that indicates the date for collecting the permit, which makes holding a residence permit crucial as the only official proof of legal status in the country.
2024 Asylum Law:
Under the 2024 Asylum Law, the residency procedures should be specified in the bylaws.
[1] In February 1958, Egypt and Syria signed a unity agreement between the two countries, under the name of the United Arab Republic. The unity ended in October 1961.
[2] Egyptian Commission for Rights and Freedoms: ‘UNHCR Policies in Egypt in Light of Global Crises’, available here
[3] News report, ‘Testimonies of refugees in Egypt about the horrors of residence and deportation’, July 2024, available here