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How to get a visa for Sudan

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The process of getting a visa for Sudan doesn’t end when you get it, as, there are a couple of steps that need to be taken once you are in Sudan. If you follow all the necessary steps, getting a Sudanese visa isn’t complicated but, there is some bureaucracy that needs to be done.

This post keeps regularly updated thanks to input from some amazing travelers.

I also recommend checking the comments section of this blog.

For more information read my travel guide to Sudan

In this guide to getting a visa in Sudan, you find:

Where to apply How to get a visa in Aswan (Egypt) How to get a visa in Cairo (Egypt) Registration and other bureaucracy stuff  More Information

Get travel insurance for Sudan IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Sudan 5% discount if purchasing via this link

How to get your visa on arrival (VOA) for Sudan

For your information, there is the possibility of getting a VOA for Sudan but only if you fly into Khartoum, and you need to pre-arrange it in advance.

The VOA is not available at land borders.

How to pre-arrange your VOA for Sudan

Basically, you’ll need to get in touch with a local tour operator, with whom you’ll have to book a tour around Sudan.

Alternatively, independent travelers may also arrange it via Acropole Hotel. For that, they usually charge around $100, plus they require you to stay at least two nights with them. It’s an expensive hotel, nevertheless, with prices starting at $100.

How to get a visa for Sudan via the embassy

If you plan to overland into Sudan via either Egypt or Ethiopia, you will have to get your visa at the embassy.

For that, the following options apply.

Getting your Sudan tourist visa at the embassy in your home country

If your country or city has a Sudanese embassy, that’s great, as you can apply for it from there, but it’s sort of a hassle, especially because each embassy has its own rules and some of them require a letter of invitation.

How to get the Letter of Invitation for your Sudanese visa

You can get it through a local tour operator or independent travelers can also get it through Acropole Hotel.

The hotel typically charges $110 in exchange for staying 2 nights with them.

How long does it take to apply for your Sudan visa?

Officially, the whole visa process takes 3 weeks but there are travel reports suggesting that it can take up to 6 weeks, depending on the embassy, so it’s wise to apply in advance.

How much does the visa for Sudan cost via your embassy?

European-based embassies typically charge $80-$100.

Also, if you are not sure of your date of entry, it would probably be better to apply for it in Egypt or Ethiopia.

How to get your Sudan tourist visa in Cairo

Things have gotten much easier in Cairo.

Before, you needed to get a letter of recommendation from your own embassy in Cairo, and the process used to take 1 or 2 weeks.

Now, you can get it on the same day and it costs 150USD, and all you need is:

A passport copy

A copy of your Egyptian visa

A hotel booking

US dollars must be new bills

Copy of passport, copy of Egyptian visa, hotel booking, I just showed that on my phone, application but you will get that from them they did not accept the one I printed from internet so they gave me a fresh one.

Sudan visa in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) – According to a reader of this blog, things got easier in Addis Ababa. However, bear in mind that, sometimes, they may give you trouble if you don’t have a letter of invitation. For the visa, the process is quick and it only takes 1 working day. It costs $68. Make sure to arrive early (around 8 a.m.) as they only accept the application until 11am. Bring the invitation letter, a copy of your passport, 2 photos, address of stay in Sudan, address and tel number of your sponsor in Sudan. They issue both entry and transit visas.

Sudan visa in Nairobi (Update September 2018) A traveler recently reported that he applied for the visa in Nairobi and got it on the next day. He didn’t need to present any special document, besides passport and the usual stuff. The price is 55USD.

Sudan visa in Cairo – (Update November 2018) Apparently, things have gotten much easier in Cairo. Before, you needed to get a letter of recommendation from your own embassy in Cairo and the process used to take 1 or 2 weeks. Now, you can get it on the same day and it costs 150USD. If you have any further updates, they are more than welcome. For more information, check the Visa in Cairo section of this post.

Sudan visa in Aswan (Egypt) – (Update November 2018)The Consulate of Aswan stopped issuing visas for no apparent reason but, from the last week of November, you can apply again, even though they increased the price from 50USD to 150USD. Aswan is a city which is only 300 kilometers from the Sudanese border and, this is by far, the easiest, quickest and cheapest place to obtain a visa. I got my visa for Sudan in Aswan, so that’s why I will focus exclusively on how to get it there. For more information, check the Visa in Aswan section of this post.

Read: A guide for traveling to Egypt (Tips + Itinerary)



sudan visa

Getting your visa for Sudan in Aswan (Egypt)

Sudan visa requirements

Original passport, passport copy, and Egyptian visa copy (there is a shop 100 meters from the Consulate where you can make copies)2 passport-sized photos50USD (Now 150USD!). Please note that they don’t accept any other currency and may not have change.

US Passport holders – IMPORTANT! –It’s possible for US passport holders to get the visa in Aswan but they must have arranged a permission to visit beforehand via the US embassy, a process which takes around 2 weeks. According to the embassy official, a sponsor is not necessary, as long as permission is given.

Read: Egypt-Sudan border crossing

How long does it take the get the visa for Sudan in Aswan?

Times highly varies. In my case, when I applied in 2016, it took me 5-6 working days. I applied on a Monday and got it on Monday of the following week.

Update June 2018 – Several people are reporting that you can easily get your visa on the next working day and, if you insist, you can even get it on the same day, so they are getting quite serious with that! It makes total sense to push a bit!

The Consulate of the Republic of Sudan in Aswan

You’ll need, obviously, to go to the Consulate of The Republic of Sudan, which is 6 kilometers from the city center. Before going there, bear in mind the following:

The Consulate is closed on Friday and SaturdayThe visa section is closed on WednesdayThe working hours for the visa section are from 8:30 am to 12:30 pmThere’s no need to have an appointment, just show up thereThere earlier you go, the better, as it gets pretty busy after 10:30 amIt takes around 2 hours to apply for your visaAttaching the Consulate location below

Getting your visa for Sudan in Cairo (Egypt)

The following information was provided by a traveler who applied in November 2018.

Visa requirements in Cairo – Same as in Aswan (passport copy, Egyptian visa copy and 2 passport-sized photos). There is a copy room in the embassy itself.

Price – 150USD (instead of 50USD in Aswan)

Timings – If you apply in the morning, you can get your visa by 3pm

Embassy timings – Officially, the Embassy opens at 9am but the immigration guy didn’t show up until 10:30am.

After filling out the form and giving all the documents, you may have to wait for 1 or 2 hours. If everything is all right, the immigration officer will tell you to pay the 150USD. Once you paid, you need to wait for 1 or 2 more hours to finally get your visa.

By the way, the visitors entrance close at 2:30pm but you remain inside until you get your visa. If you decide to go for a walk, come back before the closing time.

Further updates are more than welcome

🙂

Registration in Sudan

Getting your registration form at the border

Whatever country you are traveling from, once you are at the Sudanese border, the authorities will give you a special form that needs to be filled out. You need to keep a copy of it and not lose it. Why? Because you’ll have to present it at the police station for registration.

Update November 2018 –Now it is also possible to register at the border. It costs 540SDG (30USD).

Registration at the Wadi Halfa’s police station

From the moment you cross the border, you have 3 days (or 4 days, unofficially) to register at any police station. The easiest place to register would be in Wadi Halfa, but you could also register in Abri, Karima, Dongola and even Khartoum.

Update 2018! According to a traveler, now you can only register at the entry ports, including Wadi Halfa, Khartoum, Wadi Halfa, Port Sudan and Sawakin!

In Wadi Halfa, the whole process took less than 20 minutes. For that, you need to go to the police station and give in your registration form. You’ll need a copy of your passport (you can make a copy there for 1SDG). They will also ask you for a picture but, if you don’t have it, it’s not a problem.

Another traveler did it in Abri and he claims that it was also very easy. Moreover, in Karima, apparently, the people there don’t really know what they are doing, so it takes forever. In Khartoum, it’s also pretty quick but more expensive plus it’s a big city, so you may end up wasting more time in finding the place

Registration price – When I went there in December 2016, the price was 370SDG.

However, in Sudan, things change quickly and, in November 2017, some police stations were charging from 540SDG to 632DG, depending on which town or city. In Wadi Halfa is 540SDG (30USD).

By the way, the official price in USD is way higher than the actual amount. Pay in local currency.

Note –This step is a must. Otherwise, you may be not allowed to leave the country or pay a huge fine. When I was traveling in Azerbaijan, I also didn’t register and, at the border, had to choose between paying 200USD or getting deported and banned from entering the country within a year.

Remember to get travel insurance for Sudan IATI Insurance is one of the very few that covers travel in Sudan + COVID-19 5% discount if purchasing via this link

Getting your travel & photo permit at the Ministry of Tourism

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2018 – THE TRAVEL PERMIT IS NO LONGER NEEDED!

The last thing you need to do is to get your photo & travel permit.

What are the required documents? – Passport copy, one photo, and your registration. It’s FREE of charge!

When applying for this permit, they will ask you what will you visit in Sudan, as well as what will you take pictures of.

Do I need this permit? – If your final destination is Khartoum (and you don’t leave Khartoum), you don’t need to get this permit. The authorities will ask you for this permit only when leaving Khartoum. In my case, I traveled from the north of the country to the capital. Since Khartoum was my final destination and I left there by plane, I didn’t need to apply for this permit.

Where? – At Khartoum’s Ministry of Tourism.

This is the approximate location. It’s in front of AlFaisal Cultural Center, across the street.

Other registrations

In some cities and villages, the hotels ask you to register at the local security office. It’s a pain in the ass but it’s pretty straightforward and you don’t have to pay. Just go there, tell them the name of the hotel and how many days are you planning to stay.

More information for visiting Sudan

Don’t forget to check our travel guide to Sudan.

As well as all our Sudan articles:

Tales of Nubian PeopleIs Sudan Safe?Solo Female Travel Guide to SudanTravel Guide to Nubian Pyramids

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By: Joan Torres
Title: How to get a visa for Sudan
Sourced From: againstthecompass.com/en/visa-for-sudan/
Published Date: Tue, 21 Mar 2023 06:00:00 +0000

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