Filipinos illegally staying in Egypt given until March 15 to legalize status

Filipinos who are illegally residing in Egypt only have until March 15, 2024 to correct or legitimize their residency status, the Philippine Embassy in Cairo said. 

In an advisory, the embassy said the Egyptian government has extended the grace period for illegal foreigners in Egypt for another three months from the original deadline of December 15, 2023. 

Based on Decree No. 3326/2023 issued by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly in August last year, foreigners seeking tourist and non-tourist residence permits in Egypt must provide evidence of payment of all relevant fees, such as residency fees, late fines, or residence card issuance, whether in US dollars or equivalent foreign currencies.

The embassy said that without official announcements amending existing laws, all Filipinos in Egypt must obtain work permits and licenses from the Ministry of Manpower and its affiliated offices.

It also said that there are no work visas and permits being issued to foreigners who wish to work as household workers in Egypt.

The embassy also said it is the responsibility of the Egyptian spouse to help Filipinos and their children acquire Egyptian residence visas, marriage and birth certificates, and IDs. 

Filipinos in Egypt were reminded that they must always be the ones to keep their valid passport, and not their employer and/or sponsor.  —Giselle Ombay/KBK, GMA Integrated News