Live music Bars?

It will be easier for you to do your show at major hotels, depending on the kind of music you sing.

A note. In Egypt it is illegal to share an accommodation with an unmarried partner, particularly if he is Egyptian. If the occupants are both foreigners the thing will be kind of tolerated, by if one of you is an Egyptian national, you risk imprisonment. Many private tenants might refuse to rent you an apartment if you do not provide a marriage contract.

If you are a mixed couple you should at least agree on an orfy (unofficial) marriage by a lawyer.

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It is very well known that in all Arab countries the main source of legislation for civil law, e.g. marriages, family life is the islamic shariah.

This is a newspaper article  and by no means law, but it states the illegality of unmarital relationship within the A.R.E.

http://www.egyptindependent.com/news/eg … l-pressure

Being the conservative country that it is, Egypt can be unsuppportive of a free-flowing relationship between a foreigner and an Egyptian. Traveling together is a case in point.

Elizabeth says vacationing with her Egyptian boyfriend can be a problem: “No hotel would agree to give us a double room and we always end up renting an apartment with a fake marriage paper.” This rule  applies to Egyptian unmarried couples but foreigner-foreigner couples are exempt. Yet some say they are willing to bribe hotel receptionists to allow them to share rooms.

If you would try to share a hotel room with an Egyptian male, the reception will refused. If you insist they will call the police. Some hotels refuse even if an orfy marriage paper.

Anyway I would like to advise you that , in case your boyfriend is Egyptian, something is not quite right. Extra marital relationships are not tolerated in Egypt both by the law and by society.

A man coming from a respectable family, who has good reputation etc, will never engage in such relationship. Please do read the threads about marriage and divorce in Egypt in this forum to avoid some regrettable situations.

Hi
ExpEgypt - you are quite right about needing a marriage paper to stay in hotels here in EGypt.
My husband is EGyptian and even now - with 3 children in tow we still get asked to show our marriage certificate at reception at check-in.
But foriegn couples don't get this kind of third degree - it is kind of tolerated - either thaqt or they just don't think about it and like to engage in the thought that they are all married.
I think they kind of get the idea that if it was required to see a marriage certificate then the tourism would plunge!!

But do take care.
No respectable Egyptian man would engage in any 'activity' outside marriage without some kind of certificate that makes it OK for him to do so.
You could well be left high and dry or end up being the one who earns the money!

In regards to singing professionally, it is something that open like a pandora box.

Technically, you should not perform for money unless you have work a permit. Many people work on a tourist visa, but singing is something that attracts attention somehow. So you might be asked about that your visa and work permit soon or later, especially if some other artists are in possession of such permit, or are local egyptians.

The best thing you can do is to seek work in the animation team of a major hotel. You should also make sure the music you sing does not offend the cultural/religious ethics of the country. Though you can hear almost anything in the streets, if those responsible to enforce the law would understand what some english songs are actually saying or insinuating, some people will find themselves behind bars. Not the kind where drinks are served.