The amendments, approved by the House of Representatives, were published in the official gazette on Wednesday.

The amendments allow foreign adults born in Egypt to either a father or mother of Egyptian origins to acquire Egyptian citizenship after establishing regular residence there.

They also allow foreign minors born in Egypt to either a foreign man or a foreign woman born in Egypt and hailed from an Arab-speaking or Muslim country to acquire Egyptian citizenship.

Buying property

The new amendments also allow foreigners who purchase private property to apply for Egyptian citizenship.

Prior to these changes in the law, foreigners were only allowed to apply for Egyptian citizenship by purchasing state-owned property or depositing certain amounts in US dollars in the country.