Asylum in Egypt - transition from UNHCR registration to the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs
Law No. 164 of 2024 · Official name: Law No. 164 of 2024 on the Asylum of Foreigners; Executive Regulations (Prime Minister's Decree No. 1568 of 2026)
For decades Egypt left asylum registration and refugee status determination to UNHCR. Law No. 164 of 2024 on the asylum of foreigners creates a national Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs under the Ministry of Interior. Its executive regulations were issued by Prime Minister's Decree No. 1568 of 2026 (dated 21 May 2026) and give a three-month lead-in before taking effect. During the transition, UNHCR cards remain recognised until they expire or until the Committee issues its own documents. How and where new claims are lodged with the Committee in practice was not found on any official Egyptian page.
1 entry rule for Egypt based on recent travel
These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.
Yellow fever certificate needed after a stay in countries with risk of yellow fever transmission (WHO list)
Travellers aged 9 months and over arriving from a yellow fever risk country (or after more than 12 hours' airport transit in one) need a valid yellow fever certificate. Without one: quarantine for up to 6 days after arrival from a risk area (WHO 2021 Country List).
WHO International Travel and Health, Annex 1: Countries with risk of yellow fever transmission and countries requiring proof of vaccination against yellow fever (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List: Vaccination requirements and WHO recommendations for international travellers, 2022 edition (18 Nov 2022, revised 3 Jan 2023) WHO ITH Country List, 12 May 2021 (superseded; used only to flag changes) Checked October 19, 2026
Life in Egypt
Finance
3
Currency
Egyptian Pound
EGP
Egyptian Pound
Cost of living
16
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
10–27.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 14%
0% on first EGP 40,000 plus EGP 20,000 personal exemption; above EGP 1.2 million net income the lower bands are progressively withdrawn and 27.5% applies.
Living
1
Happiness
#137 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Who it’s for
People in Egypt seeking international protection.
Eligibility
National committee decidesApplicant
Under Law No. 164 of 2024 the Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs (Ministry of Interior) is responsible for asylum applications and refugee status.
Existing UNHCR registrationsUNHCR-registered asylum seekers and refugees
UNHCR-issued cards continue to be recognised until they expire or the Committee issues new documents.
Sign in to read the full guide (free)
The full steps, your rights while you wait, and free legal help contacts are free for anyone with an e-Passage account. You can turn on sensitive mode for discreet emails.
- 2 documents
- 1 fee
- 2 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Official sources
Other routes to Egypt
- Visit & tourismTourist e-Visa (single or multiple entry) for Egypt
- StudyResidence permit for study
- Work permitsWork permit (licence for foreigners to work) from the Ministry of Labour and residence permit for work
- 1 more route with Premium
