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Egypt: Treatment of Palestinians who have returned to Egypt from abroad after previously residing legally in Egypt, particularly if the authorities are aware that the person made a refugee claim abroad

No information on the treatment of Palestinians who returned to Egypt after claiming refugee status abroad could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate. A researcher of Palestinian issues at the Forced Migration and Refugee Studies Programme of the American University in Cairo (AUC) wrote that she had not encountered any cases of Palestinians attempting to return to Egypt after seeking refuge in another country (13 June 2002).

The following information was received during a 13 June 2002 telephone interview with an official at the Embassy of Egypt.

Palestinian refugees in Egypt are generally issued a special travel document that can be used to travel abroad. In order to return to Egypt, however, a return visa must be obtained from an Egyptian embassy or consulate abroad. The embassy or consulate must obtain permission to issue the visa from the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior, which can deny the request. The decision to issue or deny the visa is made on an individual basis based on the personal circumstances of the applicant.

Those Palestinians who have permanent residence status in Egypt may return from abroad without a visa provided that the length of time spent outside Egypt is less than six months. If they plan to remain abroad for longer than six months, they must make a trip to Egypt every six months to have their residency renewed. If for whatever reason they do not have their residency renewed, they lose the right to return to Egypt, and must apply at an Egyptian embassy or consulate to have their permanent residency extended. Permission for this must also be obtained from the Egyptian Ministry of the Interior.

This information was largely corroborated by the researcher at AUC, who wrote that a Palestinian who holds an Egyptian travel document should not stay abroad for "more than six months unless he has applied for a return visa," which would allow a stay abroad of up to one year (13 June 2002). Those who exceed the six-month deadline to renew their residency permit lose the right of return to Egypt (ibid.).

According to the official at the Embassy of Egypt, as long as a Palestinian is in possession of a valid Egyptian travel document and a return visa or has valid permanent residence status he may return to Egypt to live, regardless of whether he has made a refugee claim abroad. However, if refugee status in another country has been granted he would no longer be entitled to permanent residence status in Egypt.

For information concerning the difficulties Palestinians face in obtaining legal residency in Egypt please refer to the attached Middle East Times article (7 Dec. 2001).

For further information on travel documents, residency and the treatment of Palestinians in Egypt please consult EGY39042.E of 23 May 2002, EGY36221.E of 15 January 2001 and EGY36158.E of 15 January 2001.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

American University of Cairo (AUC), Forced Migration and Refugee Studies Programme. 13 June 2002. Correspondence received from representative.

Embassy of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Ottawa. 13 June 2002. Telephone interview with official.

Attachment

Middle East Times [Cairo]. 7 December 2001. Tariq Hassan-Gordon. "Refugees in Egypt Feel Second-Class Citizen Status." (NEXIS)

Additional Sources Consulted

Cairo Institute of Human Rights Studies

IRB Databases

NEXIS

WNC

Internet sites including:

Amnesty International

Badil

Human Rights Watch

Institute for Palestinian Studies

Journal of Palestine Studies

Middle East Information Center

Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group (PHRMG)

Palestinian Information Center

UNRWA

Topics: Palestinian,