Sources updated: 5 November 2026.

Short answer: an Egyptian movement certificate is an official record issued by the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality showing registered departures and arrivals for the requested period, based on the information available to the Administration. The file should begin by identifying the receiving authority, period and purpose because an ordinary request differs from a certificate sought for a court or prosecution file, while an application by a foreign national is tied to having authorised residence in Egypt.

The certificate may be used in nationality, residence, education, military-service, social-insurance and certain litigation files, or to support evidence of presence inside or outside Egypt. It does not, by itself, prove every factual or legal issue. It presents the movement data available to the competent authority and may need to be supported by other documents depending on the intended use.

Who may request an Egyptian movement certificate?

• An Egyptian citizen: in person or through an agent holding suitable express authority.
• A foreign national: Ministry of Interior instructions allow issuance to a foreign national provided that the person is authorised to reside in Egypt.
• A guardian or legal representative: depending on the applicant’s capacity, the certificate holder’s age and documents proving representation.
• An authorised agent: under a general or special power of attorney expressly authorising dealings with the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality, submission and collection of the movement-certificate request, and the relevant limits of the period or procedure.

Documents to prepare

• An application stating the full name, nationality, date and place of birth, requested period, purpose and receiving authority.
• A copy of the Egyptian national ID card, with the original available at filing or collection if requested.
• A passport copy, particularly when the certificate will be submitted to an embassy or foreign authority.
• All relevant passports where the person has dual nationality, changed passports or movements recorded under more than one passport.
• A copy of the requesting authority’s letter, subject to any special rules or exceptions for embassies, military service or professional syndicates.
• The original or an official copy of the power of attorney where an agent applies, drafted to cover the procedure clearly.
• Proof of authorised Egyptian residence for a foreign applicant and any document explaining variations in the spelling of the name across passports.
• Authorisation from the competent court or prosecution office when the certificate is required for litigation or an investigation.

How to obtain the certificate

1. Define the purpose and period first. Do not request an open-ended period without need. State the start and end dates required by the authority that will use the certificate.
2. Reconcile the identifying details. Check the name in Arabic and English, nationality, date of birth, and old and new passport numbers to reduce the risk of incomplete results.
3. Choose the correct filing office. The principal authority is the Monitoring and Registration Department within the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality. Applications are also accepted by geographic passport offices in governorate capitals according to the published jurisdiction. The service is available at designated Egypt Services centres.
4. File the request and attachments and pay the fee. Keep the receipt, request number and stated collection date.
5. Review the certificate on collection. Check the name, period, purpose and receiving authority before arranging translation or legalisation.
6. Complete translation or legalisation where required. The route depends on the country and receiving authority; one stamp should not be assumed to satisfy every use.

Court and prosecution requests follow a special route

Where the certificate is to be submitted to a court, Ministry of Interior instructions require a court authorisation specifying the requested period. It is referred to the Legal Affairs Department of the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality for review and preparation of the response. Where it is required by the Public Prosecution, an authorisation from that office specifying the period is submitted to the Monitoring and Registration Department. A litigation request should therefore not be treated as an ordinary personal application, and delivery by hand should not be assumed in every case.

Fees and timing: what can be confirmed?

As reviewed on 5 November 2026, the Ministry of Interior page displayed fees based on the number of requested years: EGP 47 for one to eight years, EGP 51 for nine to sixteen years, EGP 55.50 for seventeen to twenty-five years, EGP 57 for twenty-six to twenty-eight years, and EGP 58.50 for twenty-nine to thirty-one years, plus EGP 100 for the optional urgent service. Fees, payment channels and processing times may change. Check the official page or filing office on the application date, especially for a long period or urgent service.

Does the certificate need translation or legalisation?

If the certificate will be used outside Egypt or before an embassy, ask the receiving authority about the language, type of translation and sequence of authentications. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that a movement certificate requires authentication by the Director of the Passports and Immigration Authority before certification by an MFA authentication office. The destination country may then require consular legalisation or certified translation. Use within Egypt does not automatically require translation; the receiving authority’s requirements govern.

Common mistakes that delay the request

• Requesting a period that does not match the authority’s letter or court authorisation.
• Omitting an old passport or a passport of another nationality, producing incomplete data.
• Using a general power of attorney that does not expressly cover dealings with the passport authority and filing and collecting the certificate.
• Applying for a foreign national whose residence has expired without first checking the effect on eligibility.
• Submitting a litigation-related request through the ordinary route without court or prosecution authorisation.
• Translating before checking the name and period, or legalising the certificate in a sequence not accepted by the destination country.
• Treating the certificate as the sole evidence of tax residence, domicile or physical presence without reviewing the other documents and applicable legal rules.

Frequently asked questions

Can a movement certificate be obtained through a power of attorney?

Yes, where the instructions allow it, provided that the power expressly authorises dealings with the General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality and filing and collecting the movement certificate. Review the wording before execution, particularly if the power is issued outside Egypt.

Can it be issued to a foreign national?

Yes. The Ministry of Interior states that the foreign national must be authorised to reside in Egypt. It is prudent to include proof of residence, all passports used and documents addressing any name variation.

Does it show every old journey?

The certificate is issued from the information available to the Administration and for the accepted request period. Do not assume that every old journey, border movement or passport variation will appear automatically. Submit the passports and details that support an accurate search.

Can it prove the number of days spent in Egypt?

It may help establish recorded departure and arrival dates, but the legal effect depends on the file, whether tax, nationality, residence or litigation. It should be read with the governing rules and supporting documents rather than treated as conclusive on its own.

Official and professional sources

• Egyptian Ministry of Interior: movement certificates, documents, procedures and fees.
• Egypt Services Centre: issuing a movement certificate, documents and service centres.
• Public Services Directory: Passports, Immigration and Nationality Authority services.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs: authentication procedure for movement certificates.
• General Administration of Passports, Immigration and Nationality: movement-certificate forms and services.

Legal support for Egyptian government transactions

Legal Protector assists with identifying the competent authority, reviewing the power of attorney and requesting letter, organising passports and residence documents, and determining the litigation or overseas-legalisation route. See our Government Services and our guide to obtaining an Egyptian automated birth certificate.

To begin a review: send the purpose, period, nationality, receiving authority and whether the request is personal or litigation-related. Do not send passport copies or sensitive personal data in a public message.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice. Fees, filing channels and requirements may change, and the current official instructions should be checked for the applicant’s circumstances and intended use.