Planning to visit Sudan for tourism or a short private visit? Depending on your nationality and circumstances, you may need to obtain a Sudan tourist visa or visit visa before travelling.
This guide explains the main Sudan tourist visa requirements, documents, invitation letters, application process, fees, processing times and important travel considerations for foreigners planning a trip to Sudan.
Visa requirements for Sudan depend on your nationality, the purpose of your trip and the current entry rules applicable to your passport.
Foreign visitors should not assume that they can obtain a visa on arrival or enter Sudan without prior authorization. In many cases, travellers should arrange the appropriate visa through a Sudanese embassy, consulate or mission before travelling.
The Permanent Mission of Sudan in Geneva currently provides a specific procedure for visit/tourist visas and requires an invitation letter from a guarantor in Sudan.
The exact requirements can vary depending on where you apply. Applicants should prepare the documents requested by the Sudanese embassy or consulate responsible for their application.
Common documents may include:
For visit/tourist applications submitted through the Sudan Mission in Geneva, the current online application specifically asks for sponsor details in Sudan and an invitation letter for visiting purposes.
An invitation letter can be an important part of a Sudan visit or tourist visa application.
The Sudan Mission in Geneva currently instructs applicants applying for a visit/tourist visa to obtain an invitation letter from their guarantor in Sudan. The mission provides an invitation-letter template for the sponsor to complete and sign.
The invitation may contain information such as:
Your passport should satisfy the validity requirements specified by the Sudanese authority processing your application.
For example, the Embassy of Sudan in Washington currently states that passports submitted for the categories listed on its entry-visa page must be valid for at least 6 months.
Sudan visa fees are not necessarily identical worldwide. The amount can depend on the embassy, consulate, nationality, visa category and location where the application is submitted.
For example, the Sudan Mission in Geneva currently lists a CHF 100 non-refundable fee for visit/tourist visa applications.
The Embassy of Sudan in Washington publishes different fees for the visa categories handled there, demonstrating why applicants should confirm the fee directly with the office processing their application rather than relying on a single worldwide price.
| Visa Information | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Tourist / Visit Visa | Requirements depend on nationality and the application location |
| Invitation | May be required from a guarantor or sponsor in Sudan |
| Visa Fee | Varies by embassy/consulate; Geneva currently lists CHF 100 |
| Refundability | Visa fees may be non-refundable |
| Processing Time | Varies by mission and circumstances |
Processing times vary depending on the Sudanese embassy or consulate, the type of application and whether additional approvals are required.
The Sudan Mission in Geneva currently states that visit/tourist visas usually require a minimum of 10–15 working days. It also warns that processing can take up to a month during certain high-demand periods.
The Embassy of Sudan in Washington currently advises applicants for its listed entry-visa categories to allow up to 10 working days.
The exact application method depends on the Sudanese diplomatic mission serving your place of residence.
Determine whether your nationality requires a Sudan tourist or visit visa and identify the Sudanese embassy, consulate or mission responsible for your application.
If an invitation or guarantor is required, arrange the necessary documentation with your sponsor in Sudan.
Complete the Sudan visa application accurately and make sure the information matches your passport and supporting documents.
Prepare your passport, photographs, invitation letter and any other documents requested by the relevant Sudanese mission.
Pay the applicable visa fee using the payment method specified by the embassy or consulate.
Submit the application according to the instructions of the relevant Sudanese diplomatic mission. Some missions accept applications by post or through online procedures, while others may have different submission requirements.
Allow sufficient time for processing. Avoid making irreversible travel arrangements until you have received your visa.
When your passport is returned, carefully check the visa information, including your name, passport number, dates and permitted stay.
Accommodation information may be requested as part of a visa application, but requirements vary between missions and visa categories.
If your trip is based on an invitation from a person in Sudan, provide the information requested by the relevant Sudanese authority rather than assuming that a hotel booking is sufficient.
The Sudanese visa application form also asks applicants for an address in Sudan and information concerning the destination and period of stay.
It is generally safer to obtain the visa before purchasing a non-refundable flight ticket.
The Sudan Mission in Geneva explicitly states that applicants do not need a confirmed ticket before applying and recommends getting the visa first and booking the flight afterward.
The mission's online application also warns applicants not to book tickets before receiving the visa.
Families travelling to Sudan should check the visa requirements for every traveller, including children.
The Sudanese visa application form indicates that each applicant must complete a separate application, including children.
If you live outside your country of citizenship, the Sudanese mission may ask for evidence of your legal residence in the country where you are applying.
Requirements vary by diplomatic mission. Always check the rules of the specific Sudanese embassy or consulate handling your application.
For example, the Embassy of Sudan in Washington states that certain non-US passport holders applying there must provide a valid US residence permit.
Once your visa has been issued, prepare carefully for your journey.
The security and operational situation in Sudan can change rapidly. Airports, roads, border crossings, diplomatic missions and other services may not always operate under normal conditions.
Travellers should therefore check current information immediately before departure and should not rely exclusively on older online visa guides.
Visa approval also does not necessarily guarantee admission at the border. Final entry is subject to the applicable Sudanese immigration and border-control procedures.
It depends on your nationality and the current Sudanese entry requirements. Check with the Sudanese embassy or consulate responsible for your country before travelling.
Common requirements can include a valid passport, completed application form, photograph, invitation or guarantor documentation and payment of the applicable fee. Additional documents may be requested depending on your nationality and application location.
An invitation letter may be required. The Sudan Mission in Geneva currently requires an invitation from a guarantor in Sudan for visit/tourist visa applications.
The fee depends on where you apply and your circumstances. The Sudan Mission in Geneva currently lists CHF 100 for a visit/tourist visa, while other Sudanese missions publish different fees for their services.
Processing times vary. The Sudan Mission in Geneva currently states a minimum of 10–15 working days for visit/tourist visas, while the Embassy of Sudan in Washington advises allowing up to 10 working days for the categories listed on its visa page.
You should be cautious about doing so. The Sudan Mission in Geneva specifically recommends obtaining the visa before booking a flight.
Do not assume that you can obtain a visa on arrival. Visa and entry procedures depend on nationality and current Sudanese regulations. Confirm the procedure with an official Sudanese authority before travelling.
No. Sudan is not part of the Schengen Area. A Sudan tourist visa is a Sudanese immigration document and is completely separate from a Schengen visa.
Depending on your location, you may need to apply through a Sudanese embassy, consulate or diplomatic mission. Check the Sudanese mission responsible for your country of residence for the current procedure.