Planning to move to Sudan can involve considerably more preparation than relocating to many other countries. Visa requirements, sponsorship, accommodation, transportation, healthcare, financial arrangements and security conditions should all be considered before making a relocation decision.
This Sudan relocation guide explains the main practical issues for foreigners, returning Sudanese citizens, international workers, humanitarian personnel, business professionals, students and others considering long-term stays in Sudan.
Sudan remains affected by an ongoing armed conflict and conditions can change rapidly. The UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office currently advises against travel to Sudan because of the continuing conflict and security situation.
Anyone considering relocation should obtain current information from the Sudanese authorities, their embassy or consulate, their employer or sponsoring organization, and their own government's latest travel and security advice before making travel arrangements.
Foreign nationals generally need the appropriate Sudanese visa to enter Sudan. The exact requirements depend on nationality, purpose of travel, sponsor and intended length of stay.
A tourist or visitor visa should not automatically be treated as permission to live and work in Sudan. People moving for employment, humanitarian work, business or other long-term purposes should determine the appropriate immigration status before travelling.
The Sudanese Embassy states that work and other non-tourist visa applications can require a completed application, a passport valid for at least six months, a photograph and a letter from the sponsoring organization or company explaining the work, duration of stay and financial responsibility.
If you are moving to Sudan for employment, your first step should normally be to establish exactly what your employer or sponsoring organization will arrange for your immigration status.
The Sudanese Embassy specifically requires a sponsoring organization/company letter for certain work visa applications.
The exact documents depend on your nationality and reason for moving, but you should be prepared to provide some combination of the following:
The Sudanese Embassy indicates that passports used for certain visa applications must have at least six months of validity.
Housing is one of the most important issues to solve before relocating. Rental conditions vary substantially between cities and neighborhoods, and prices can change quickly because of economic conditions and housing availability.
Recent housing research found substantial rental increases in Port Sudan during 2024, while housing markets in Khartoum were also significantly affected by the conflict.
Before signing a rental agreement, consider:
Sudan is a large country with major differences between regions. The best location for you depends on your employment, family situation, available accommodation and current local conditions.
Khartoum has historically been Sudan's principal political, commercial and administrative center. The wider Khartoum metropolitan area includes Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum North.
The security and infrastructure situation has been heavily affected by the conflict, so anyone considering living in Khartoum should obtain current local information before making plans. Current assessments indicate that security conditions have changed compared with earlier stages of the conflict, but significant risks and disruptions remain.
Port Sudan, on the Red Sea, has become an important administrative, transport and humanitarian center during the conflict. It can be an important location for international workers and organizations.
However, current assessments note that Port Sudan has experienced high living costs, housing shortages and limited livelihood opportunities.
Other cities and regions include Kassala, Gedaref, Atbara, Dongola and other urban centers. Conditions vary considerably, so relocation should be based on current local information rather than assuming that conditions are identical throughout Sudan.
The cost of living in Sudan can vary dramatically according to location and lifestyle. Housing, imported goods, transportation, electricity, internet and private healthcare can represent significant expenses.
Currency fluctuations also make long-term price comparisons difficult. For this reason, people planning to relocate should check current local prices immediately before moving.
Read our detailed guide: Monthly Expenses in Sudan
Sudan's currency and financial environment require careful planning. Exchange rates can change substantially, and prices may vary between different markets and locations.
Before relocating, consider:
Do not rely on an old Sudanese-pound budget when planning a long-term relocation. Use current exchange rates and local prices immediately before making major financial commitments.
Healthcare availability varies significantly by location and facility. People moving to Sudan should research healthcare facilities near their intended residence before travelling.
International workers should also ask their employer or organization what medical evacuation and emergency arrangements are available.
Reliable communication can be especially important when moving to Sudan. Internet and mobile connectivity can vary by city, provider and local circumstances.
Transportation options vary considerably by location. Depending on the city, residents may use buses, minibuses, taxis, private vehicles and other local transportation.
Before moving, investigate:
Current information indicates that movement within and between areas can be affected by checkpoints, road insecurity and other restrictions.
Moving to Sudan is not simply a matter of choosing a city and booking domestic transportation. Travel between states can involve additional requirements and restrictions.
For example, current UK government entry guidance states that people leaving Red Sea State require a travel permit and that requirements can differ according to destination.
Always check the current requirements for the specific state or destination before travelling.
Families have additional considerations when relocating to Sudan. Before moving children or dependents, investigate housing, healthcare, education, transportation and documentation requirements.
Education options vary by city and institution. Families relocating to Sudan should research schools before arrival rather than assuming that suitable places will be available immediately.
International and private schools may have limited availability and can be significantly more expensive than local educational options.
Employment opportunities for foreigners are concentrated in areas such as international organizations, humanitarian operations, development work, engineering, construction, logistics, telecommunications, healthcare, education and selected business sectors.
Foreign workers should have an appropriate employer, sponsor and immigration status before beginning employment.
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Foreigners who intend to work in Sudan should not assume that entering the country as a visitor automatically gives them permission to work.
For work-related travel, the Sudanese Embassy lists sponsorship documentation among the requirements for certain work visa applications. The sponsor's letter may need to explain the nature of the work, duration of stay and financial responsibility.
Your employer or sponsoring organization should confirm the complete procedure applicable to your nationality and position.
Security should be one of the first considerations when deciding whether and where to relocate to Sudan in 2026.
The security situation remains volatile and can vary substantially between regions. Current assessments indicate that some eastern and northern areas are comparatively more stable than active conflict zones, but this does not mean that Sudan as a whole is risk-free.
For foreigners travelling or relocating independently, obtaining professional security advice may be appropriate.
Determine whether you are moving for employment, business, humanitarian work, family reasons, education, research, retirement or another purpose. Your reason for travel affects the appropriate visa and documentation.
Contact the relevant Sudanese embassy or consulate and verify the latest visa requirements for your nationality. Do not rely exclusively on information published several months earlier.
If you are moving for work, obtain your employment contract or sponsorship documentation before travelling.
Research your destination and arrange appropriate housing. If possible, obtain accommodation through a trusted employer, organization, agent or local contact.
Create an emergency fund and investigate how you will access money after arrival. Allow for unexpected expenses and changes in local prices.
Carry copies of your passport, visa, medical records, prescriptions, employment documents, insurance information and important family documents.
Check the latest security situation immediately before departure and again after arrival. Conditions can change rapidly.
There is no single answer because the experience depends heavily on the reason for moving, destination, nationality, employment situation and current security conditions.
Sudan has a rich cultural heritage, strong community traditions, important Red Sea access, significant natural resources and major economic potential. However, the current conflict and humanitarian and economic conditions make relocation substantially more complicated than it would be in a stable environment.
For this reason, moving to Sudan in 2026 requires careful planning and current information rather than relying on general relocation advice.
Foreign nationals can enter Sudan subject to the applicable visa and immigration requirements. People intending to stay or work long term should determine the appropriate visa, sponsorship and residence requirements before travelling.
In general, foreign nationals need an appropriate Sudanese visa to enter Sudan. Requirements depend on nationality and purpose of travel. The Sudanese Embassy provides visa information and application requirements.
Yes, foreigners can work in Sudan when they have the appropriate employment arrangement and immigration authorization. Work-related visa applications can require sponsorship documentation from a company or organization.
There is no universally best city. Khartoum has historically been the country's main metropolitan center, while Port Sudan has become particularly important for international organizations and administration. The best location depends on your job, accommodation, family situation and current security conditions.
Security conditions in Khartoum have changed during the conflict, but significant risks and disruptions remain. Current information should be checked immediately before travelling or relocating.
Port Sudan is generally considered comparatively more stable than some active conflict areas, but it remains heavily affected by the wider situation in Sudan. Current assessments also note high living costs, housing shortages and movement controls.
Your required budget depends on housing, city, employment, lifestyle and whether your employer pays for accommodation or other expenses. You should budget for initial accommodation, transportation, food, communications, healthcare and an emergency reserve.
Rental prices vary enormously between cities and properties. Port Sudan experienced substantial rental increases during 2024, while the housing market in Khartoum was heavily affected by the conflict.
The answer depends on your nationality, purpose of stay and immigration status. If your intention is to work, arranging employment and sponsorship before travelling is generally the safer approach.
This is a personal decision that should be based on your individual circumstances and the latest security information. Because the conflict remains ongoing, people considering relocation should obtain current official travel, immigration and security advice before making plans.