Egyptian nationality law

The Egyptian nationality law is based on a mixture the principles of Jus sanguinis and Jus soli with some alterations. In other words, both place of birth and Egyptian parentage are relevant for determining whether a person is an Egyptian citizen.

The following are deemed Egyptian nationals:

Children born in Egypt are deemed Egyptian nationals:

The following are deemed Egyptian nationals:

Wives of Egyptian citizens (but not husbands of Egyptian citizens) can apply for citizenship (with the consent of the Egyptian husband) and acquire citizenship after two years provided that the marriage is not terminated, except in case of the husband’s death.

However, the Ministry of Interior may issue a decree depriving the wife from acquiring Egyptian nationality within the two-year period, but such rejection can be disputed in court.

A person may be naturalised as an Egyptian citizen after at least 10 consecutive years of residence in Egypt.

Normally a person must be aged 21 or over in order to become a naturalized Egyptian citizen. Children aged under 21 normally obtain Egyptian citizenship automatically at the same time a responsible parent is naturalised.

All applicants must also meet the following criteria:

A non-Egyptian who has acquired Egyptian nationality can exercise political rights after 5 years, and may be elected or appointed a member of any parliamentary body after 10 years.

However, by Presidential decree, he may be exempted from the first restriction, or both restrictions combined. The Minister of Interior may exempt, by decree, those who have joined the Egyptian Armed Forces and fought in their ranks, from the first restriction or both restrictions combined. Egyptian nationality may be granted by Presidential decree. without being bound by the restrictions set out under the law, to any foreigner who renders honorable services to Egypt, as well as to the heads of the Egyptian religious sects.

An Egyptian national may voluntarily forfeit his/her citizenship by acquiring a foreign nationality except after obtaining a permission therefore, to be issued by decree of the Minister of Interior. In this case, the Egyptian shall forfeit Egyptian nationality, if he/she has been permitted to obtain the foreign nationality.

Egyptian nationality may be restituted, by a decree of the Minister of Interior, to a person from whom it has been withdrawn or who has forfeited it, after the lapse of 5 years from withdrawing or forfeiting it. Restoring Egyptian nationality may also take place by a Presidential decree. The decree withdrawing or forfeiting Egyptian nationality may also be waived by a decree of the Minister of Interior, if such a withdrawal or forfeiture decree has been based on fraud or mistake.

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Wikipedia