The Logistics of Settling In 125are two types of jobs: those paid in Egyptian currency
(usually much lower paying positions) and those paid
in foreign currency. Lucrative jobs that pay in US dollars
usually need to be lined up before coming to Egypt.
Remember you must have a work permit. Ministerial
Decree No 43/88, applicable to Law No 137/81, Article No
1, states in part that ‘foreigners shall not be allowed to work
in the Arab Republic of Egypt without obtaining a work
permit from the Ministry of Manpower and Immigration’.
Foreigners can acquire a work permit from the Ministry
of Manpower and Training to work in Egypt, and
accordingly are authorised residency in the country.
Work permits must be obtained through the employer.
Foreigners are generally not allowed to change residency
status from non-working to working status while in
the country.
HIV-AIDS Test Required of Residents
The Ministry of Manpower and Immigration’s circular No 1/1993
states that all foreign expatriates are required to submit an HIV-
free (AIDS) test certifi cate when applying for a work permit. The
HIV test must be done in governmental or university hospitals
or laboratories. It is permissible to bring your own disposable
needle. Work permit offi cials recommend GOE-owned Central
Labs for the HIV test. The lab technicians are very well trained
and familiar with work permit/HIV-relevant requirements. The
address of the Central Labs is:
Central Laboratories
Ministry of Health and Population
El Sheikh Rihan Street
Garden CityIf you are in Egypt and looking for a job, you are likely
only to be able to get a job paying in Egyptian currency.
As mentioned before, you can get a renewable visa at the
airport if you are job-hunting. However, for longer term
living you will need a residence visa. Job hunting in Egypt is
networking—almost all jobs are filled by word of mouth.