Egypt Economic Profile Employment Laws and Practice Work certificates and permits Egyptians working in representative and branch offices of foreign companies must procure a work permit from the Ministry of Interior. Foreigners who intend to stay in Egypt must apply for residence permits at the Ministry of Interior. Temporary residence in Egypt has been extended from a maximum of three years to five years at a time. A work permit is also required of those who intend to work in Egypt. The employer usually applies for the work permit on behalf of the employee.
Work permits are easier to obtain for technical staff than for unskilled or semi-skilled workers.
Work permits are usually granted to foreigners for a period of ten months after which they are usually easily renewed. The number of non-Egyptian employees in any establishment must not exceed 10 percent of the total work force for unskilled or semiskilled workers. The contract must be written in Arabic. The contract may be either for a definite or an indefinite period of time. The legal maximum working hours are eight hours per day or forty-eight hours per week excluding overtime and rest and meal periods.