Egypt fast-tracks work permits for foreign tourism workers with new 15-day initiative

Egypt is fast-tracking work permit approvals for foreign tourism workers as it looks to support continued growth across its booming travel sector and strengthen confidence among investors and employers.

The Ministry of Labour, in partnership with the Egyptian Tourism Federation (ETF), has launched a 15-day initiative that reduces work permit processing times to just two working days for eligible foreign employees. Effective from 15 June, the scheme covers major tourism hubs including Luxor, South Sinai, the Red Sea Governorate, the North Coast and El Alamein.

The temporary measure is designed to ease recruitment bottlenecks for tourism businesses during a period of sustained demand, while reinforcing compliance with labour regulations and worker protection standards. Faster access to skilled international staff is expected to help hotels, resorts, and tourism operators maintain service levels as visitor numbers continue to climb.

For travel insurers and assistance providers, the initiative reflects Egypt’s ongoing investment in tourism infrastructure and workforce resilience. An increase in overseas employees may also drive demand for business travel, expatriate medical, and employer-related insurance solutions.

The policy comes as Egypt’s tourism industry continues to post record results. According to the government’s Information and Decision Support Center (IDSC), tourism revenues reached US$16.7 billion in fiscal year 2024/25, a 56.1% year-on-year increase, while the sector’s contribution to GDP rose to 3.7%. Tourist nights also climbed to 179.3 million.

Looking ahead, Fitch Solutions forecasts international arrivals will reach 18.56 million in 2026. Alongside plans to expand hotel capacity, the streamlined permit process signals Egypt’s commitment to supporting long-term tourism growth and creating a more business-friendly operating environment.

The European Commission of the European Union (EU) recently adopted the bloc’s first ever visa policy framework.