Egypt grants citizenship to several foreigners, including Yemenis.

Arabian Sea Newspaper - Special

Arab Gulf - Follow-ups: Egyptian authorities have issued a new decision granting citizenship to dozens of foreigners, the majority of whom are Syrians from the city of Aleppo, in a move that highlights Cairo's commitment to supporting refugees who have contributed to the local economy. The decision, signed by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and published in the Official Gazette, included individuals of various Arab nationalities, including a Palestinian and a Yemeni, but Syrians constituted the largest proportion, with 25 of them obtaining Egyptian citizenship. This decision reflects Egypt's continued approach to integrating refugees with economic contributions, especially Syrians who have established thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises in fields such as restaurants and trade. The number of Syrians residing in Egypt is estimated at more than 300,000, who have played an important role in revitalizing the economy, despite the crises the country is going through, such as inflation and the shortage of foreign currency. The decision is part of a series of previous naturalizations, most notably what was issued in December 2024 granting citizenship to dozens of Syrians and Yemenis, in appreciation of their contributions to the national economy. The government affirmed that naturalization is carried out according to precise criteria that include long-term residency, investment, and family ties, with a clear focus on supporting social and economic stability, while the study of more citizenship applications continues amid demands for increased transparency in the selection process. Egypt is considered one of the largest host countries for refugees in the region, and since the outbreak of the Syrian civil war in 2011, it has provided extensive facilities for Syrians, including access to education and healthcare. The Syrian community has also played an important role in supporting the local economy through the establishment of commercial projects, especially in the food and trade sectors. Egyptian Nationality Law No. 26 of 1975, amended in 2020, regulates the granting of citizenship to foreigners, and usually requires a long residency of up to 10 years or large financial investments of $400,000 US. Recently, Egypt has facilitated naturalization procedures for foreigners who contribute to the economy, especially Syrians and Yemenis, through repeated presidential decrees aimed at supporting economic and social stability.