Executive Summary

Pursuant to the provisions of Labor Law No. 14 of 2025, the Minister of Labor issued Decree No. 279 of 2025, which establishes a comprehensive legal framework regulating the licensing of foreign workers within Egypt, setting out the procedures and conditions governing foreign employment across various sectors.

The Decree regulates the licensing requirements, exemptions, employment conditions, foreign workforce ratios, permit durations and fees, renewal procedures, and the rights and protections afforded to foreign workers.

Key Highlights

• Foreigners may not engage in any work inside Egypt without obtaining a work permit issued by the Ministry of Labor or its relevant entities, subject to the applicable exemptions.
• The Decree identifies specific categories exempt from the licensing requirement, including certain diplomatic, international, religious, investment, and specialized professional categories.
• Employers must notify the competent labor office within seven days of a foreign worker commencing or ending work, including in exempted cases.
• Work permit applications require specified supporting documents, including an employment contract setting out the type, location, remuneration, and duration of work, subject to applicable exceptions.
• The granting of work permits is generally subject to conditions including relevant professional experience, the absence of competition with the national labor force, an actual need by the establishment, and the employer’s obligation to train Egyptian assistants and transfer expertise.
• Certain occupations are prohibited for foreign workers, including tourist guiding and export and customs clearance, subject to the exceptions provided by the Decree.
• Foreign workers may generally not exceed 10% of the total Egyptian workforce in an establishment, subject to specified exceptions and exemptions.
• • An Exceptions Committee is established to consider requests for exemption from the foreign employment ratio and to make recommendations to the competent authority.
• Work permits are issued for a period of one year or less, with fees ranging from EGP 6,000 to EGP 100,000, subject to the applicable categories and exemptions.
• Certain nationalities may benefit from fee exemptions pursuant to the principle of reciprocity, including Sudanese, Palestinians, Lebanese, Greeks, and Tunisians.
• Short-term foreign employment for periods of up to 14 days is permitted subject to the prescribed fee and prior written approval.
• Foreign workers who are working without the required permits may regularize their status subject to the applicable procedures and fees, with possible waivers in certain cases.
• Permit renewal applications must be submitted at least two months before the expiry of the existing permit.
• The Decree regulates employer obligations concerning foreign worker absences and establishes procedures for the suspension or cancellation of work permits.
• Grounds for license cancellation include criminal convictions, submission of false information, and conduct that may harm national interests.
• Establishments employing foreign workers are required to maintain detailed records, submit periodic reports, and provide data to the competent authorities for inclusion in the Ministry’s centralized database.
• Foreign workers remain subject to the protections established under the Labor Law and their employment contracts, including protection against discrimination and exploitation.
• Employers are prohibited from retaining foreign workers’ passports.
• The Decree facilitates legal recourse for foreign workers and provides for the establishment of a dedicated Ministry unit to assist them.

Areas / Sectors Affected

•  Employers employing foreign workers in Egypt.
• Foreign workers seeking employment or currently working in Egypt.
• Private-sector establishments.
• Public business sector entities.
• Public authorities and state administrative bodies subject to the Decree.
• Human Resources and personnel departments.
• Legal and compliance departments.
• Establishments subject to foreign workforce ratio requirements.
• Investors and investment-related establishments employing foreign nationals.
• Professional and specialized sectors employing foreign experts and workers.
• Embassies, consulates, and international organizations subject to the applicable exemptions.