File Photo: Egyptian army forces man a temporary checkpoint outside Sharm el-Sheikh. AFP
A two-month application window for the programme will open on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website starting 1 May, according to a joint statement issued by the ministries of foreign affairs and the emigration and expatriates’ affairs.
The initiative caters to all male Egyptian expats aged 18 and above at the time of registration, including those who have surpassed the typical conscription age of 30.
To register online, applicants will need an accredited presence confirmation certificate from an Egyptian diplomatic mission (embassy/consulate) abroad, along with payment made to designated bank accounts.
Full details regarding the registration process, criteria, and conditions can be found on the official website of the initiative.
Passport renewals will be unavailable for Egyptians abroad who have not settled their military service, the statement added.
The initiative, first launched in 2023, allows eligible male expats to permanently settle their military service by paying a fee of $5,000 or €5,000, after applying for a permanent settlement of their military service position.
Military service in Egypt is required from all male citizens between the ages of 18 and 30, and typically ranges from one to three years, determined by the individual's education level.
Around 14 million Egyptians were living abroad in 2021, according to the latest government estimates.
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