In this article, I will describe Orfi Marriage in Egypt, its Benefits & Drawbacks for Foreigners. According to Egyptian law, orfi Marriage is not illegal. As a foreigner, Orfi is the first choice. Egypt does not allow living together for any couple and this is an illegal act according to the law. If any foreigner wants to marry with Egyptian (Husband or wife) throw official way, has to finish a lot of steps.
What is Orfi Marriage in Egypt?
According to Egyptian Law, Orfi marriage means a man and a woman (Both Egyptian or one Egyptian and one foreigner) simply agree to be married, neither giving nor receiving any legal rights (House, Gold, Bank Deposit, Furniture). The man proposes and the woman accepts his proposal in front of a minimum of two witnesses. If one partner is a foreigner then required two witnesses, an official translator, and a lawyer.
Requirements for Orfi Marriage in Egypt
- Age: 23 for Males and 21 for Females
- Identity Confirmation
- For Egyptian: Civil ID card (National ID)
- For Foreigner: Passport Number and copy (Verified by Embassy)
- Husband Resident Address (Normally rented home contact paper or won property)
- Two Witness (Minimum one Egyptian)
- A Lawyer
- Two Sets of Contract paper
- If Husband/Wife is a foreigner and can not read-write Arabic, Need an Official Translator
- 2 copies of a recent passport-size picture (each person)
Benefits of Orfi Marriage
- Marriage has done immediately
- No visa or other legal papers required
- Legally can live together
- If Both Muslims easily can make marriage Halal (Islamic Law Acceptance)
- Not a lot of legal responsibilities and duties for both
- Can get Children
- Easy to make divorce and Cancelation of contract
- As a foreigner Husband has no need to deposit money or buy a flat/furniture for the wife
Drawbacks for Orfi Marriage
- Orfi marriage is not providing any legal security
- Anyone (husband/wife) can cancel the contract anytime
- Regular Family law is not applicable
- Only Paper Orfi Marriage contract is not acceptable in Islamic Law
- Foreign partner (husband/wife) cannot apply for a resident permit
- Children cannot be Egyptian citizens if Husband is a foreigner
- No Governmental support provided
- Husband/wife can be married again legally or Orfi without proper notifying
Conclusion
For a foreigner, if you plan to marry for a lifetime, You must make your Married via Government office (Forigners Marriage Registration office), But you must have some legal papers and Resident permit. If you don’t have papers then you must register your marriage to an Egyptian Family court. But this registration takes 3 months to 6 months. First, you can Make Orfi Marriage then apply to Court for government registration. Egyptian people being orfi married for a different reason. If both Muslim and want to be a halal couple, then immediately after orfi contract, go to a Sheikh (Islamic Scholar) and the husband should provide any agreed amount of money or gold to the wife. Finally, declare marriage to both families.
Hello there, I have tried to ring the embassy but no one was able to pick up. I have tried various numbers but nothing has gone through.
I have an important question:
I have met a lovely woman from Egypt over three years ago and we have decided to get married now. The marriage involves me to travel to Egypt.
Can you please answer the following:
1. What Visa is required for me to apply for in order to travel to Egypt to marry her?
2. What other requirements are there for me before I go? e.g. do I need to take with me any proof of income and proof of accommodation in UK? What are the list of things I will need to take with me in order to marry her?
Please advise me as much as you can as I am very confused what to do.
Kind regards
Delwar Hussain
Hi,
As the law you need a letter from the Embassy of your country from Egypt what include your income and religion. Other side you need temporary resident permit. you can enter egypt via travel visa then can take short term resident permit.
Is orfi marriage in Egypt a loophole for foreigners to bypass legal requirements for marriage in the country? What are the potential consequences for foreigners entering into orfi marriages in Egypt, especially in terms of legal protections and rights?