Egyptian nationals residing in the UAE are experiencing growing anxiety as several report their residency permits have been unexpectedly cancelled without explanation, raising concerns about their status in the country.
The unexplained cancellation of residency permits for Egyptian nationals in the UAE creates significant economic and personal hardship for a large expatriate community, potentially impacting remittances crucial to Egypt's economy and straining bilateral relations between the two allied nations.
Egyptian expatriates in the United Arab Emirates are experiencing significant anxiety following reports of numerous residency permit cancellations. Several individuals have stated that their permits were revoked without any prior notification or explanation, leaving them unable to return to their jobs and lives in the UAE. Some workers discovered the cancellations while on leave in Egypt, only to be informed by their employers or upon attempting to re-enter the UAE.
Mahmud Adel, a 33-year-old schoolteacher, recounted his shock after his employer informed him of his residency cancellation via email while he was on his annual holiday in Egypt. Similarly, 36-year-old interior decorator Abdel Rahman Ahmed found out his residency had been cancelled when he arrived at Cairo Airport to return to Abu Dhabi after a trip to Egypt. He stated that company officials did not respond to his calls, effectively ending his eight-year career in the UAE.
Discussions on social media platforms suggest a potential new requirement for a Police Clearance Certificate for Egyptian work permits, which may be complicating job changes and travel. This has led to widespread fear among Egyptian workers, with some expressing apprehension about travelling home and others reconsidering trips altogether. Even expatriates and business owners have reportedly decided against visiting Egypt due to fears of losing their residency status.
By the end of 2024, the Egyptian diplomatic mission in Abu Dhabi reported that approximately 1.3 million Egyptians were residing and working in the UAE. In the first 11 months of the fiscal year 2025-26, Egypt received $43.1 billion in remittances from its expatriate community. The UAE and Egypt have historically maintained close ties, with the Gulf state being a significant investor in Egypt. However, divergences have emerged on regional matters, such as differing support for sides in the conflict in Sudan.