DECEMBER 2011

Global Immigration Practice

Arab Republic of Egypt

The Egyptian Economy for business should ensure their passports are valid for six months beyond the proposed Home to over 82 million people, Egypt is one stay and contain at least two blank visa pages. of the most populous countries in Africa and Although visas may be available upon arrival the Middle East. Over half of the country’s for citizens of some countries that will enter as population resides in its urban areas along the tourists, it is highly advisable for most business Nile. The economy of Egypt is one of the most travelers to secure a visa in advance from the About Egypt diversified in the Middle East, with sectors Egyptian consulate in their home residence. such as tourism, agriculture, industry and Most visa applicants will receive a single-entry Capital City: service at almost equal production levels. visa that will be valid for entry within a three Cairo After many years of social and political turmoil, month period for a stay of up to 30 days, but multiple-entry visas may also be requested. Monetary Unit: Egyptians started a large-scale uprising on 25 January 2011 and after 18 days of protests, Egyptian pound (EGP) An Entry Visa in Egypt is available to those Mr. Hosni Mubarak stepped down, bringing an persons wishing to travel to Egypt for a Major Languages: end to his 30-year rule as Egypt’s President. business purpose. A business purpose Arabic Power was handed to the Supreme Council of includes activities such as establishing the Armed Forces which became responsible professional and business contacts, attending Main Exports: for conducting the affairs of the State and conferences and business meetings. A Crude Oil & Petroleum leading the transitional period according to Business Visa may be issued for multiple Cotton & Textiles a constitutional declaration issued on 30 entries where frequent travel is required. March, until the parliamentary and presidential Metal Products elections are held towards the end of 2011. Additional details on visa application process Chemicals and requirements can be found at the While the Egyptian popular uprising has come Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs site: Our Immigration with the promise of major political reform, it has http://tinyurl.com/6rfg9o7 Services in Egypt led to the temporary disruption of economic activity, below-capacity production and a 55- Business Travel – Guidance & assistance day shutdown of the stock market. The adverse Living in Egypt with entry visa applications filed with the economic implications thereof will most likely The majority of international expatriates living Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs via its be sustained throughout 2011/12, as the high and working in Egypt are based in the capital Consulates & missions abroad uncertainty in Egypt will weaken foreign direct city of Cairo, although growing numbers of investment (FDI) inflows as well as tourism and Work & Residency Permits for Foreign expatriates can be found working in Luxor, Suez Canal receipts. The restoration of political Nationals – Work Permit applications filed Alexandria or in Red and Mediterranean Sea stability and effective reform are essential if the with the Egyptian labor authorities resorts for example, often in the fields of Egyptian economy is to return to solid growth tourism and lately in real estate too. Residence Permit Applications – For that benefits the population as a whole. foreign nationals who will live in Egypt Throughout the last quarter of 2011, Sources: http://tinyurl.com/7dthfh6 demonstrations in downtown Cairo have http://tinyurl.com/2eq4xj turned violent and resulted in numerous deaths and hundreds of injuries. A series Business Travel to Egypt of elections for the lower and upper houses of parliament are scheduled to take place Travel advisories are currently in place. from November 2011 through March 2012. Foreign nationals who wish to travel to Egypt Continued on next page. The information contained in this document is intended for informational purposes only, is general in nature, and does not constitute legal guidance. Politically-motivated rallies and demonstrations expect to spend time cultivating a personal With headquarters outside of Washington, are likely to occur in the period leading to and relationship before business is conducted. DC in Reston, Virginia and operations in likely following the elections. In the past nine Expect to be offered coffee or tea whenever Pune, India, Goel & Anderson is an months, demonstrations have degenerated on you meet someone, as this demonstrates several occasions into violent clashes between hospitality. Even if you do not take a sip, immigration firm that is international police and protesters, in some instances always accept the beverage. Declining the in scope and personal in nature. We resulting in deaths, injuries, and extensive offer is viewed as rejecting the person. are known as a firm that is highly property damage. Meetings are generally not private unless there professional and also highly human. There have been instances of instability and is a need to discuss matters confidentially. In We offer clients extensive experience and public disorder in some other areas of Egypt, general, Egyptians have an open-door policy, a comprehensive understanding of all most notably in the Nile Valley governorates even when they are in a meeting. This means of Assiut and Sohag, located between Cairo you may experience frequent interruptions. areas of business, employment, and and Luxor. These governorates, along with Others may even wander into the room and family-based immigration law worldwide. the adjacent governorates of Minya and Qena, start a different discussion. You may join in, have been areas of extremist activity in the but do not try to bring the topic back to the For more information about our Global past. Communication has become patchy, with original discussion until the new person leaves. Immigration Practice and services, disruptions to the internet and mobile phones. please contact Jill Marie Bussey at http://tinyurl.com/6d2uapq Have one side of your card translated into Egyptian Arabic. Always hand the card so the [email protected] or recipient may read it. Make a point of studying +1 703.796.9881. Egyptian Business Culture any business card you receive before putting into your business card case. *Goel & Anderson, LLC does not engage in the Generally, Egyptians prefer to do business practice of law within India. All services in India are http://tinyurl.com/82vlmvl with those they know and respect, therefore provided by our affiliate, G&A Immigration Services Private Limited.

The information contained in this document is intended for informational purposes only, is general Egypt Work Permit Process in nature, and does not constitute legal guidance.

Application with the Ministry of Manpower & Migration filed by Egyptian 1 sponsoring company Foreign national’s Entry Visa application at Egyptian Diplomatic Mission in 2 country of residency 3 Entry to Egypt followed by local and tax registrations How Goel & Anderson can assist your organization in Egypt Organizations that wish to employ foreign and Visa Application preparation and filing; workers abroad require an immigration detailed guidance on the visa stamping and service provider with a record of successfully post-entry process; and tracking key expiration coordinating and delivering global, business dates. Personal representation at the Egyptian immigration services for multinational Embassy or Consulate abroad and Local Police organizations. Goel & Anderson practices or Immigration Department may be available. exclusively in the field of immigration to assist your company with the recruitment, hiring, and Generally, only locally registered entities may retention of foreign workers across the globe, sponsor foreign nationals for work permits in including Egypt. We understand that time and Egypt. Thus, if your company’s office in Egypt resources are valuable to your business and that anticipates engaging foreign talent, an early staffing an international project can be critical analysis of immigration options and strategies, to your business’ reputation and success. We as well as a thorough understanding of the are committed to efficiently delivering business sponsorship obligations, will better position Innovative Approaches to Immigration Law your project for success. We also understand immigration solutions that combine broad global Goel & Anderson, LLC coverage with a depth of local expertise. that despite careful planning, emergent issues can arise. We are well positioned to assist your 1984 Isaac Newton Square West We carefully select co-counsel who share our business to address unexpected business Suite 203 service and compliance-oriented approach requirements. Because global immigration Reston, Virginia 20190 to meet the needs of organizations doing matters do not occur within a vacuum and business in the global marketplace. Our Global the law is infrequently static, we seek local USA Immigration Practice group and local counsel experts who may also assist with a range of work closely together to ensure comprehensive related legal services, including corporate Phone: +1 703.796.9898 business coordination and seamless delivery formation, contracts, employment agreements, Fax: +1 703.796.9005 of services. Our immigration services include licensing, and transactions and who will advise E-mail: [email protected] end-to-end processing, including: Work Permit of changes in policy and procedures. www.goellaw.com