المنتدى الدولى للصحافة والإعلام

The Foreigners’ Asylum Law, recently enacted in Egypt, has become one of the key topics discussed during the visit of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees to Cairo, amid the rollout of a new national system for managing refugees and asylum seekers. The law has sparked wide debate over its objectives, implementation mechanisms, and its broader impact on refugee affairs in the country.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aty described the issuance of the asylum law during his meeting with the UN refugee chief as a “historic step in Egypt’s efforts to strengthen its national legal framework governing asylum issues.” He emphasized Egypt’s commitment to coordination and consultation with the UN Refugee Agency at all stages of developing the law, ensuring a smooth transition from the international system to a national one.

Officials and observers, speaking to Sky News Arabia, view the law as a fundamental shift in Egypt’s management of refugee affairs, transferring responsibility for regulating the status of refugees and asylum seekers to a comprehensive national framework for the first time. This comes amid growing domestic calls for better regulation of the sector, driven by economic pressures and concerns over the impact of the rising number of refugees on public services.

What is Egypt doing regarding refugees?

The Foreigners’ Asylum Law is the first standalone and comprehensive Egyptian legislation regulating the status of refugees and asylum seekers, after decades in which the UNHCR, in coordination with the Egyptian government, handled registration and asylum applications.

Egyptian authorities estimate that around 10.5 million foreigners, migrants, and refugees of various nationalities reside in the country. The state reportedly bears approximately $10 billion annually in costs related to hosting and supporting them, with repeated calls for greater international burden-sharing and increased global support.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi has previously stressed that Egypt has never used the refugee issue for political gain, urging the activation of the principle of shared responsibility and increased international support. He also called for a comprehensive approach to addressing forced displacement, focusing on the root causes such as political instability, security crises, and economic challenges.

Official data indicates that Egypt hosts nationals from 133 countries, representing around 8.7% of the population, with more than half concentrated in five governorates, particularly Greater Cairo, placing additional strain on infrastructure and public services.

Recently, the government issued the executive regulations of the law, aiming—according to its description—to balance national security considerations with international obligations and humanitarian commitments.

Key features of the law

The law establishes an integrated national system for managing asylum affairs, including procedures for submitting and reviewing asylum applications, creating a comprehensive refugee database, defining refugees’ rights, and setting clear legal obligations.

A major feature is the establishment of a Permanent Committee for Refugee Affairs under the Prime Minister, which serves as the national authority responsible for handling refugee matters. It is tasked with reviewing asylum applications, issuing refugee documentation, maintaining databases, coordinating with government agencies, and cooperating with UNHCR and international organizations during the transition phase and beyond.

The regulations also maintain recognition of UNHCR-issued refugee cards until they expire or are replaced by new Egyptian-issued documents, while requiring refugees and asylum seekers to regularize their status under the new legal framework.

Recognized refugees are granted a travel document issued by the Ministry of Interior and are protected from extradition to their country of origin or habitual residence. The law also guarantees freedom of religious belief and the right of followers of Abrahamic religions to practice their rituals in designated places of worship.

Regulation measures and implementation context

In recent months, Egypt has intensified efforts to regulate the status of foreigners residing in the country, including the deportation of thousands who violated residency laws, alongside measures facilitating voluntary return for those wishing to leave.

These measures included weekly train services from Cairo to Aswan for Sudanese nationals returning home, as well as exceptional residency facilitation for Syrians, including waiving overstay fines during a specified period.

Timing and legal significance

According to Ayman Aqeel, a member of Egypt’s National Council for Human Rights, the law comes at an appropriate time given the increasing number of refugees and migrants in Egypt. He noted that its significance extends beyond refugee regulation to establishing a broader legal framework for all foreign residents.

He added that the creation of the executive regulations and the Permanent Committee reflects the state’s strong focus on this issue. Egypt’s updated human rights strategy also includes clear provisions on refugee rights and integration mechanisms.

Aqeel emphasized that while Egypt hosts around 10 million foreigners, only about 1.16 million are officially registered with UNHCR, highlighting that the law covers both registered refugees and other categories of foreign residents.

He also noted that legislation is not static and can be amended based on practical implementation and emerging needs, stressing the importance of continuous evaluation.

Among the expected benefits of the law, he highlighted improved data collection and better organization of refugee affairs, which would enhance efficiency in managing the file.

He further called for leveraging the economic potential of refugees and migrants, viewing them as a possible contribution to the economy rather than a burden, while also warning against hate speech and discrimination.

Finally, he stressed that most refugees did not leave their countries voluntarily but were forced to flee due to conflict and insecurity, underscoring the importance of fostering integration and social cohesion while preserving Egypt’s humanitarian approach to refugee issues.