Study in Egypt: arrival, housing and support for Gulf students
Thousands of students from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf study at Egyptian universities. The university handles admission; we handle everything around it, so your son or daughter lands, settles and is looked after.
Who this is for
Students from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait and other Gulf countries who have chosen, or are considering, an Egyptian university — and the parents who want someone on the ground they can call. Many families start with a short visit to compare universities and areas before deciding.
How admission works (and what we do not do)
International students apply to Egyptian universities through the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, using its official portal for international students, Wafeden. Private universities may also accept applications directly. Requirements, fees and deadlines are set by the ministry and each university and change from year to year, so always check them at the official source.
Hayakkom does not offer admission services, does not submit applications on your behalf and does not guarantee a place. We also do not set or collect tuition fees. Our work starts where the university’s ends: getting the student there, housed and supported.
What we coordinate
- Pre-visit: a few days in Cairo or Alexandria to visit campuses, see student areas and meet landlords, with a driver and an Arabic-speaking coordinator.
- Housing: university residences or furnished apartments near campus through licensed providers, chosen for distance, safety and suitability for a student living alone for the first time.
- Arrival: airport pick-up, the first days’ transport, a local SIM and help finding the essentials.
- Paperwork help: Arabic-speaking company for appointments and registration visits the university asks for.
- Parent visits: hotel, transfers and a simple programme when the family visits during the year.
- Health: a doctor at the residence, a clinic appointment or a check-up through licensed providers when needed.
Before you choose a university: recognition
If the degree will be used in Saudi Arabia or another Gulf country, check recognition before enrolling. Saudi students should check the Saudi Ministry of Education’s guidance on recognised foreign universities, and students of medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and other health subjects should also check the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties requirements. Other Gulf countries have their own equivalency rules. We cannot confirm recognition for you.
When to plan
The Egyptian academic year usually starts in September or October. Application and registration windows differ between universities and years, so we suggest a pre-visit several months before the year starts, and housing booked once the student has a confirmed place. Parent visits are popular at the start of the year and around mid-year exams.
Costs
Tuition is set by each university and paid to it directly. For the parts we coordinate, a Cairo airport transfer is usually 65–310 SAR one way and a car with driver 375–560 SAR a day (see transport). Housing depends on the area and type and is quoted by the provider. Hayakkom earns marketing fees, paid only by its licensed Saudi partner company, not by the student.
Sedan or family van, with a professional driver
Airport pickup, day trips, and the road between Cairo and the coast — in a clean, air-conditioned car with a driver who knows the way. Cars and drivers are provided by a licensed tourist transport company; Hayakkom books and coordinates them for you and stays on WhatsApp throughout.
| Option | Indicative price |
|---|---|
| Sedan with driver, full day (8–10 h) | 375–560 SAR |
| Family van with driver, full day | 790–1,125 SAR |
| Cairo airport ↔ city, one way | 65–310 SAR per vehicle |
Questions people ask
Can Hayakkom get my son or daughter admitted to an Egyptian university?
No. Admission is decided only by the university, through Egypt’s official Wafeden portal or the university itself. We do not submit applications or guarantee a place; we coordinate the pre-visit, housing, arrival and support.
Is a degree from Egypt recognised in Saudi Arabia?
It depends on the university and the subject. Check the Saudi Ministry of Education’s guidance on recognised universities before enrolling, and for health subjects also the Saudi Commission for Health Specialties. We cannot confirm recognition.
Where do international students usually live?
Either in university residences or in furnished apartments near campus. We arrange both through licensed providers and look at distance to campus, safety of the area and suitability for a first-time student.
Can you help when parents visit or if the student is unwell?
Yes. We arrange the family’s hotel, transfers and programme, and if the student needs a doctor we coordinate a visit or an appointment with a licensed doctor or hospital.
Plan it with us on WhatsApp
Tell us your dates, who is travelling and your budget. We reply in Arabic or English with a written, itemised quote.
📱 WhatsApp +20 103 156 7949✉️ support@hayakkom.com