Labor and Tourism Ministries Launch 15-Day Initiative to Streamline Work Permit Processes

Signing Ceremony.

On Sunday, June 15, 2026, Minister of Labor Hassan Raddad and Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, alongside Hossam El Shaar, Chairman of the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers, launched a collaborative initiative aimed at simplifying the process for issuing work permits for foreign employees in tourism establishments. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to enhancing the investment climate and supporting the tourism sector, a vital component of the national economy.

The initiative will run for fifteen days, commencing on June 15, 2026, targeting key areas including Luxor, South Sinai, the Red Sea, the North Coast, and El Alamein. There is potential for future expansion into other governorates pending approval from the Minister of Labor.

Throughout the initiative’s duration, the Ministry of Labor will accept license applications in the targeted areas and expedite processing to ensure permits are issued within two working days from submission. This aims to enhance efficiency and alleviate burdens on investors.

Both ministers emphasized the importance of this initiative in stabilizing the tourism sector and improving operational efficiency while fostering a conducive work environment that encourages investment. They noted that this effort aims to facilitate investment flow and enhance service quality while safeguarding workers’ rights and regulating employment conditions according to legal standards.

The ministers also highlighted that this initiative serves as a successful model for cooperation between the Ministry of Labor, the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, and the private sector represented by the Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers.

This initiative aligns with government efforts to create an attractive investment environment by removing barriers for investors and supporting sustainable tourism projects through simplified procedures. The protocol was signed by Karima Abdel Rahman from the Ministry of Labor and Hossam El Shaar from the Federation.

The initiative includes provisions for issuing temporary work permits valid for six months for positions such as entertainment workers (animators) and group coordinators. These roles will be exempt from experience certification requirements and recruitment conditions. Additionally, tourism establishments in designated areas will not be subject to maximum foreign labor ratios for these specific positions.

The Egyptian Federation of Tourism Chambers is tasked with disseminating guidelines to targeted establishments and collaborating with the Ministry of Labor on implementation while encouraging timely applications during this initiative period.

The protocol also establishes a joint monitoring mechanism between both parties to ensure effective execution while addressing any challenges that may arise during implementation. An evaluation of the initiative’s outcomes will occur at its conclusion to consider potential renewal or development based on results presented to the Minister of Labor.