The Egyptian parliament passed law No. 140 for the year 2019 amending law No. 89 for the year 1960 on the entry and residency of foreigners in Egypt, and law No. 26 for the year 1975 regarding the Egyptian Nationality. The amendments focused on the right of the prime minister to grant citizenship to foreigners. The amendment also established a unit in the council of ministers specialized in considering citizenship applications.
Law No. 173 establishes "deposit residency" which grants foreigners who deposit a minimum of 7 million Egyptian pounds in local Egyptian banks a five-year residency permit and the opportunity to apply for Egyptian citizenship.
This Action Document captures the projects to be committed in 2017 in Egypt under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for stability and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa. The overall objective of the proposed Action is to enhance the response to migration challenges in Egypt.
Law No. 76 amends law No. 231 of 1996 regarding Egyptians who intend to work abroad and imposes fees on permits for highly skilled Egyptians to work in the public sector in countries of destination and requires them to obtain a permit before beginning their employment.
Law No. 82 combats irregular migration and migrant smuggling by criminalising smugglers, considering irregular migrants as victims and including a provision for the creation of a fund to assist victims.
Article 91 enshrines the principle of nonrefoulement and guarantees the provision of protection to refugees and asylum-seekers. Article 88 stipulates that the State shall safeguard the interests of Egyptians living abroad, protect them and protect their rights and freedoms, enable them to perform their public duties towards the State and society, and encourage their contribution to the development of the nation. It further states that the law shall regulate the participation of Egyptians living abroad in elections and referendums in a manner consistent with their particular circumstances. Article 244 stipulates that the State shall endeavor that Egyptians living abroad be appropriately represented in the first House of Representatives to be elected after the entry into force of the Constitution. Article 23 sets forth that the State shall ensure the participation of Egyptian expatriates in the progress of scientific research. The Constitution also provides a framework for outreach to the Egyptian community abroad, including their participation in social and economic development and political processes.
Article 57 enshrines the principle of nonrefoulement and guarantees the provision of protection to refugees and asylum-seekers.
The National Coordinating Committee for Combating and Preventing Trafficking in Persons, established in 2007, put together a two-year national action plan addressing capacity building of law enforcement officials and the judicial system in order to prosecute offenders, protection and assistance for victims, and the involvement of other stakeholders and cooperation with regional and international actors.
Law No. 64 states that vulnerable migrants have access to health and psychosocial services provided by agencies such as IOM. There is one shelter available for trafficking victims.