How to get an online payment gateway in Egypt

Step 1. Decide which path you are on

Gateways sort applicants into two groups. A registered business has a commercial register and a tax card. An individual or freelancer has neither, and sells under a personal name.

Many gateways accept only registered businesses. A smaller group has a separate individual track, for example XPay's documentation describes an Individual route next to a Business route ^[4]. Acceptance rules change, so check the provider's own page before you apply.

Step 2. Prepare the documents

Requirements differ by provider, so treat this as the usual set and confirm each item with the provider you pick.

• Commercial register (السجل التجاري), recent copy. Registered businesses only.
• Tax card (البطاقة الضريبية). Tax registration is handled by the Egyptian Tax Authority ^[3].
• National ID of the owner or authorised signatory, front and back.
• A business bank account in the name of the company, with the IBAN. Freelancers are usually asked for a personal account.
• Company contract or articles, if you are a company.
• Your website or social page showing what you sell, price list, return policy and contact details. Gateways review this before approval.

Gateways that accept freelancers

This list is computed from our data: gateways that state they accept freelancers or do not require a commercial register. Providers where we could not confirm are left out.

Step 3. Compare what matters

A headline percentage is not the cost. Compare these five things on the same basis.

1. Card fee: percentage plus fixed amount per transaction. Check whether prices include the 14% VAT, because many providers do not say.
2. Other fees: setup, monthly, refund and chargeback fees. Some charge a monthly minimum that hurts small shops.
3. Settlement time: how many days from the sale until money reaches your bank, and whether wallets and cards settle on the same schedule.
4. Payment methods your customers use: cards, mobile wallets, InstaPay ^[2], Meeza, Fawry reference codes, and instalments such as valU.
5. Integration: a plugin for your store platform, payment links if you sell on social media, and a sandbox to test before going live.

Gateways with wallets and InstaPay

Wallets and InstaPay matter in Egypt because many customers prefer them to cards. These gateways state support for both.

What it costs on a real basket

To compare fairly we calculate an effective rate on a reference basket of 500 orders a month at EGP 650 each, local cards, including fixed fees and monthly fees. It is a comparison tool, not a quote. Your volume and negotiated rate will differ. Some providers publish a full rate card ^[5]; many only give a quote.

Step 4. Check the provider is legitimate

• Ask which licence the provider operates under. The Central Bank regulates payment service providers ^[1]. A gateway should be able to state its licence or its acquiring bank.
• Read how it handles disputes, refunds and chargebacks before you sign.
• Confirm where your money is held between the sale and the payout.
• Ask for the contract in writing, including fees and the settlement schedule.

Application checklist

1. Choose your path: registered business or individual.
2. Shortlist three gateways from the lists above.
3. Ask each for a written quote with VAT stated and the settlement days for cards and wallets.
4. Submit documents to your first choice. Keep the others as a fallback.
5. Test in the sandbox with a card, a wallet and a refund.
6. Go live with a small real transaction and check the payout lands in your account.

Common reasons for rejection

• A website with no prices, return policy or contact details.
• A business activity the provider restricts. Each provider keeps its own list.
• Names that do not match across the national ID, the bank account and the register.
• A personal account used for a registered company.

Quick answers

• Can I take payments with only a personal account? Only with providers that run an individual track. Check the freelancer list above.
• How long does approval take? Providers state anywhere from a day to a couple of weeks. Missing or mismatched documents are the usual cause of delay.
• Do I need a website? Not always. Payment links let you charge customers on WhatsApp or Instagram, but providers still review the page you sell from.
• Can I use two gateways? Yes. Many shops keep a second one as a fallback and to cover methods the first does not support.

Questions to ask on the first call

1. Which methods are active for my business type on day one, and which need a separate approval?
2. What is the fee for refunds, chargebacks and failed payments?
3. Is there a rolling reserve or a minimum balance held back from my payouts?
4. What is the payout schedule, and does it run on working days or calendar days?
5. How do I get support when a payment is stuck: phone, WhatsApp or tickets, and in which hours?