Egypt’s parliament approves in principle draft law increasing consular service fees

CAIRO – 2 November 2025: During its plenary session on Sunday, chaired by Counselor Ahmed Saad, the House of Representatives approved in principle the draft law submitted by the government to amend certain provisions of Law No. 212 of 1980, which imposes a fee for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ services abroad.

The draft law seeks to increase the fee levied on each certification issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs domestically, setting a maximum limit of LE 50. It also stipulates that the fee shall not exceed $20, or its equivalent in foreign currencies, for each visa issued by Egyptian authorities at ports of entry and for every visa or consular service performed by Egyptian embassies and consulates abroad.

The objective of the proposed amendment is to support the development and modernization of the buildings and land allocated for Egypt’s diplomatic missions, embassies, and consulates abroad, without imposing additional financial burdens on the state.

The old law No. 212 of 1980 imposes a fee of LE 1.5 on each visa, attestation, or consular service performed by the embassies and consulates of Egypt abroad. The revenues generated from this fee are allocated to the General Authority for the Fund for Financing the Buildings of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which was established by Presidential Decree No. 1971 of 1971. This fee is considered one of the key financial resources of the Fund.