The Global Phoenix - Issue 3 August 2017 | Page 45

EGYPT While the greatest portion of its land mass lies in northern Africa, Egypt is traditionally considered the eastern edge of the Middle East. Frequent and oftentimes violent regime changes through the 2000s have kept the republic in a moderate state of political turmoil and civil unrest up until the present. Relatively diverse with a significant manufacturing sector, Egypt’s economy has been basically stagnant in recent years with short periods of slight growth. Government instability and the inability to implement needed reforms have discouraged the level of foreign investment which might lead to more significant growth. However, last year, the Egyptian government implemented a series of tax and fiscal spending reforms which opened the way to a sizeable loan from the International Monetary Fund; but early expenditures from the fund on public infrastructure seem unlikely to generate long-term growth. Despite seemingly ineffective government management, Egypt’s economy is now beginning to show early signs of recovery. Egypt’s immigration policy is mostly open but somewhat outdated, with no significant changes since 2015. The corporate immigration route is essentially a single visa applicable to business and employment, with both short-term and long-term variations. The typical processing time to authorise a foreign national for work in the country is comparatively quick for the region at 4 to 8 weeks. Caveat Lector | Warning to Reader This article is provided as informational only and does not substitute for actual legal advice based on the specific circum- stances of a matter. We caution you that immigration laws are fluid and can change at a moment's notice without any warning. Please reach out to your immigration specialist or legal advisor should you require any additional clarification. This alert was prepared by the Knowledge Management Team of the Pro-Link GLOBAL Group. Visit us at: www.pro-link- global.com | Email us at: [email protected] | Call us at: 1877 PLG 8754. Author: Kent O’Neil; Pro-Link GLOBAL Kent O’Neil is a professional writer, researcher, and analyst for the Pro-Link GLOBAL Group. An attorney, entrepreneur, and former expat, Kent is the author of hundreds of online and print articles and client intelligence on international business and global corporate mobility. www.theglobalphoenix.org Page 45