Guide

North Africa Residence and Investment Options

Last updated October 7, 2026

What could support your move to North Africa?

A longer stay usually needs a reason the country recognizes, such as a supported job, formal study, a spouse, independent income, or an approved investment. The permission you receive determines what you can do there.

About this guide

The starting point is how you would live in your destination. Earning a local salary, joining a spouse, studying, running a business, and living on savings or a pension can lead to different residence options.

This guide compares selected routes across North Africa and separates temporary residence from citizenship. Read the regional report for the main differences, then check the relevant pathway’s requirements.

Pathways compared 20

Countries covered 4

Employer-supported work


Morocco Work Residence	Employment Residency	A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Morocco.	Yes	As granted; linked to the approved residence basis
Tunisia Work Residence	Employment Residency	A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Tunisia.	Yes	As approved; confirm the term and renewal requirements
Algeria Work Residence	Employment Residency	A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Algeria.	Yes	Normally two years; may match the work authorization
Egypt Work Residence	Employment Residency	A supported local job can provide a basis to apply for work and residence permission in Egypt.	Yes	As granted under the work and residence approvals

No pathways match that filter.

Higher-education study


Morocco Student Residence	Study Residency	Yes for an eligible higher-education course	Accepted financial support for study and living costs	As granted for the study basis
Tunisia Student Residence	Study Residency	Yes for an eligible higher-education course	Accepted financial support for study and living costs	As approved for study; confirm renewal timing
Algeria Student Residence	Study Residency	Yes for an eligible higher-education course	Accepted financial support for study and living costs	Normally two years; may match the study document
Egypt Student Residence	Study Residency	Yes	Evidence of support required; confirm the institution’s checklist	Temporary; check the issued permission

No pathways match that filter.

Living on independent income


Morocco Independent-Means Residence	Retirement Residency	Morocco’s visitor registration card can support a longer stay for someone living from their own resources, including a pension.	No universal amount stated in the cited law; confirm locally	As granted; renewable under the registration-card rules
Tunisia Retirement Residence	Retirement Residency	Retirees who receive regular income can apply for Tunisian residence without taking salaried employment.	No universal amount in the published checklist; confirm locally	As approved; confirm duration and renewal locally
Algeria Independent-Means Residence	Retirement Residency	An applicant who does not intend to work can seek an Algerian residence card by documenting the means to support the stay.	No fixed amount in the published checklist; confirm accepted support	Normally two years; actual grant and supporting basis control

No pathways match that filter.

Joining a citizen spouse


Morocco Citizen Spouse Residence	Family Residency	A legally recognized marriage to a Moroccan citizen provides a specific basis to apply for a residence card in Morocco.	As stated on the residence card	Residence on the recognized spouse basis once the card is issued.
Tunisia Citizen Spouse Residence	Family Residency	A foreign spouse joining a Tunisian citizen can apply under Tunisia’s marriage-based residence process.	As approved under the marriage-based process	Residence to live with the spouse for the period approved by the authority.

No pathways match that filter.

Running an active business


Morocco Business Residence	Entrepreneur Residency	Running a lawful business or professional activity in Morocco can support a registration card covering that activity.	No fixed residence price in the cited law; business requirements vary	As granted for the approved activity
Tunisia Business Investor Residence	Entrepreneur Residency	An eligible investor or business manager can apply for Tunisian residence with the required employment-ministry certificate and company records.	Business requirements vary; no fixed residence price in the checklist	As approved; confirm renewal and continuing-business requirements
Algeria Business Residence	Entrepreneur Residency	A lawful commercial, industrial, craft, or professional activity can support an Algerian foreign-resident card.	Activity and sector dependent; no fixed residence price in the checklist	Residence normally two years; supporting basis may control
Egypt Business Investor Residence	Entrepreneur Residency	A qualifying founder, shareholder, partner, or business owner can apply for Egyptian investor residence through Egypt’s investment agency, GAFI, and the immigration authorities.	Company and project controls apply; no single amount stated here	One year at incorporation under the regulations; later renewals subject to review

No pathways match that filter.

Property and bank-deposit residence


Egypt Property Owner Residence	Investment Residency	USD $50,000 in qualifying property	One, three, or five years by property value; renewable	Temporary non-tourist residence for the approved property band, with renewal subject to the requirements.
Egypt Bank Deposit Residence	Investment Residency	USD $50,000 qualifying bank deposit	One year at USD $50,000; three years at USD $100,000	Temporary non-tourist residence for the approved deposit band.

No pathways match that filter.

Citizenship through investment


Egypt Investment Citizenship	Investment Citizenship	USD $250,000 contribution, plus USD $10,000 application fee	Egyptian citizenship after final approval

No pathways match that filter.