Residence Permit in Egypt

Every foreigner, including refugees and asylum-seekers, staying in the Arab Republic of Egypt is obliged to have a valid residence permit. Without a valid residence permit, s/he would be violating the residency law in the country, which is punishable under Egyptian law. Therefore, you are advised not only to obtain your residence permit after registration with UNHCR but also to renew it when it expires.

In order to obtain or renew the residence permit, please follow these instructions:

    1. Refugees and asylum seekers who are scheduled to renew or obtain their UNHCR cards at UNHCR Offices, can pick up the (MFA) number for residency processing during their interview at UNHCR Offices, along with an appointment date to approach the Residency Office of the Passports and Immigration Administration in Abbasiya.
    2. For those who have a valid UNHCR card, the MFA reference number and the appointment date could be obtained via UNHCR’s Infoline. The Infoline agent will communicate the appointment over the phone and send via SMS on the following day to the phone number registered on the file.

    N.B the printed residence appointment information used at the immigration authorities can be collected at your next scheduled appointment/visit to UNHCR’s offices.

    1. On the day of your appointment, please approach the Residence Office in Abbasiya, where you will be asked to submit all necessary documents, including the residence permit application form. Together with your family members, you will also be asked to have your photos and fingerprints taken. You will then be given an appointment to receive the residence permit card. Please ensure that your UNHCR document is valid for at least 6 months on the day of the appointment.
    1. Please return on the given appointment to the Residence Unit of the Passports and Immigration Administration, where you will obtain the residence permit card issued by the Egyptian government.
    2. The residence permit is issued only at the Passports and Immigration Administration in Abbasiya. You must go there in person to complete all procedures regardless of your place of residence in Egypt.
    3. Please approach the Residency Office of the Passports and Immigration Administration in Abbasiya on the appointment date given. Immigration Authorities can decline your application if you arrive on a different day.

What documents should I bring?

  1. All UNHCR registration cards of the family members and dependents registered with you in Egypt.
  2. Original passport of the family members and dependents registered with you in Egypt.
  3. Copies of both your UNHCR registration document(s) and your passport(s).
  4. The reference number which you obtained from UNHCR office or Caritas.
  5. Two passport-sized photos of yourself. Photos of your dependents are not needed unless they are 12 years old and above and were issued a separate UNHCR documentation card.

Do I have to pay any fees to obtain the residence card?

Yes, you will be required to pay processing fees of the residency permit card of EGP 100 + bank administrative fees per family member above 12 years old at the bank located at the premises while presenting your application to the Residence Unit.

How can I reach the Passport and Immigration Administration?

The headquarters of the administration is located at 417 Ramses Street in Abbasiya, which is easy to reach by public transport by following these instructions:

For refugees living in Greater Cairo:
Cairo Metro: The nearest station to the new headquarters is Abbasiya Station (Green Line; Imbaba – Airport). After exiting the metro station, the Administration will be a five-minute-walk away.

For refugees residing in other governorates:
Ramses Train Station: You can take the train/public transport from any governorate to Ramses station. When you arrive at the station, go to Al Shohadaa metro station and get off at Ataba metro station where you will change to the green metro line (Imbaba – Airport) and get off at Abbasiya station. After exiting the metro station, the Administration will be a five-minute-walk away.