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U.S. Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

Consular Information Sheet

 

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Please click on this link to read important information you should see before you travel abroad

This information is current as of today,

Sudan

July 05, 2006

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION:Sudan is a large, developing country in northeastern Africa.  The capital is Khartoum.  Over the past 20 years, Sudan has experienced two major conflicts:  a civil war involving Southern Sudan, and a complex, multi-party armed struggle in Darfur.  Both have hindered development and resulted in a general deterioration of security infrastructure and conditions in some regions.  The transportation infrastructure is limited in most parts of the country and generally does not meet western standards.  Read the Department of State Background Notes on Sudan for additional information.

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS:  A passport and visa are required before traveling to Sudan.  Travelers should obtain the latest information and details from the Embassy of Sudan at 2210 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, tel. (202) 338-8565, http://www.sudanembassy.org/.  U.S. citizens are advised to apply for visas well in advance of any proposed travel.  Visas are not available at airports or the border, except for American citizens who were born in Sudan, have Sudanese identification (in addition to a U.S. passport), and may apply for a visa at Khartoum International Airport.

Travelers to certain areas outside Khartoum, including Darfur, are required to obtain a travel permit from the government of Sudan before departing the capital.  Travelers are also urged to obtain a photography permit from the Sudanese government if they intend to take any photographs.

Travelers often are required to pay airport departure taxes if they are not already included in the cost of the ticket.  Sudan does not allow persons with passports bearing an Israeli visa or entry/exit stamps to enter the country.  See our Foreign Entry Requirements brochure for more information on Sudan and other countries.  Visit the Embassy of Sudan web site at www.sudanembassy.org for the most current visa information.

Find more information about Entry and Exit Requirements pertaining to dual nationality and the prevention of international child abduction.  Please refer to our Customs Information to learn more about customs regulations.

SAFETY AND SECURITY:  The U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including emergency assistance, is severely limited.  Even when consular personnel are in country, the U.S. Embassy does not have the infrastructure or resources to provide more than basic consular assistance.

Travel in all parts of Sudan, particularly outside the capital city of Khartoum, is potentially hazardous.  The government of Sudan and southern rebel forces signed a peace agreement in January 2005 aimed at ending a 20-year civil war, and a Government of National Unity was formed in September 2005.  Although fighting has subsided, areas of insecurity still persist in the southern Sudanese states of Upper Nile, Blue Nile, and Bahr El Ghazal.

There were a number of anti-western demonstrations in Khartoum in the first part of 2006.  In general, these demonstrations were peaceful and well organized by the protestors and the police.  For security reasons, Americans are urged to avoid these demonstrations.

Large-scale demonstrations and rioting broke out in Khartoum in early August 2005, following the death of First Vice President John Garang.  There has also been fighting between government-backed forces and rebel forces in the western Darfur region.  The fighting, combined with drought and famine, has resulted in an international humanitarian crisis.  In the south, the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which normally operates in northern Uganda and occasionally shelters in Southern Sudan, allegedly has threatened to target Americans.  The land borders with all nine neighboring countries are open and porous.  Land transportation between Eritrea and Sudan is not dependable.  The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) controls all border crossings with Kenya and Uganda.

Americans considering sea travel in Sudan's coastal waters should exercise caution as there have been incidents of armed attacks and robberies by unknown groups in recent years, including one involving two American vessels.  Exercise extreme caution, as these groups are considered armed and dangerous.  When transiting in and around the Horn of Africa and/or in the Red Sea near Yemen, it is strongly recommended that vessels convoy in groups and maintain good communications contact at all times.  Marine channels 13 and 16 VHF-FM are international call-up and emergency channels and are commonly monitored by ships at sea.  2182 Mhz is the HF international call-up and emergency channel.  Wherever possible, travel in trafficked sea-lanes.  Avoid loitering in or transiting isolated or remote areas.  In case of emergency, contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  In the event of an attack, consider activating Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons.

For the latest security information, Americans traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department’s Internet web site where the current Travel Warnings and Public Announcements, including the Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, can be found.

Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll free in the U.S., or for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll-line at 1-202-501-4444.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).

The Department of State urges American citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas.  For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s pamphlet A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIME:  Crimes against individuals, while not common in Khartoum, occur on occasion.  Travelers should maintain security awareness and observe common sense security practices at all times.  Travelers should exercise caution at large markets and public gatherings.  Anyone who is outside between 2300 and 0500 is subject to document searches at police checkpoints.  There is a strict curfew enforced throughout Darfur from 2130 to 0630.

Travel in all parts of Sudan, particularly outside the capital city of Khartoum, is potentially hazardous.  Banditry and lawlessness are common in western Sudan, particularly in the Darfur province along the borders with Chad and Libya.  War and famine have severely damaged the infrastructure; social services in most of the country are non-existent.

Ground travel outside of and between cities in Southern Sudan and Darfur is discouraged for security reasons.  Land mines and banditry remain a serious problem in Southern Sudan, especially in the region south of Juba.  A large number of armed groups, many displaced people, and active conflict pose serious security concerns in Darfur.   

INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME:  The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  If you are the victim of a crime while overseas, in addition to reporting to local police, please contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for assistance.  The Embassy/Consulate staff can, for example, assist you to find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds could be transferred.  Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime is solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.

See our information on Victims of Crime.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION:  Medical facilities fall short of U.S. standards in Khartoum, and are almost non-existent outside of the capital for all but the most minor treatment.  Government hospitals and clinics are poorly equipped.  Individuals with medical conditions that may require treatment are discouraged from traveling to Sudan.  Medicines are only intermittently available, and travelers should carry sufficient supplies of needed medications in clearly marked containers.  Emergency ambulance services are not readily available.  Travelers must pay cash in advance for any treatment.  The U.S. Embassy in Khartoum maintains a list of local doctors and clinics in Khartoum for reference.

Malaria is prevalent in all areas of Sudan, with a sometimes-fatal strain that is resistant to chloroquinine.  Because of the high risk, consult a health practitioner before traveling, seek alternative anti-malarial drugs, and take personal protective measures, such as insect repellents, protective clothing, and mosquito nets.  Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking.  For additional information about malaria and anti-malarial medications, please visit the Centers for Disease Control’s Travelers' Health web site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/malinfo.htm.

There have been reported cases of cholera and typhoid in Southern Sudan.

In January 2006, there was an outbreak of avian influenza in poultry in northern Sudan.  Although no human cases were reported, the outbreak was widespread.  A similar outbreak occurred several weeks earlier in Egypt, in which several human cases, including deaths, were reported.  For additional information, consult the following web sites:

• http://www.avma.org/public_health/influenza/avian_faq.asp
• http://www.fao.org/ag/againfo/subjects/en/health/diseases-cards/avian_cats.html
• http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_05_03.jsp
• http://www.oie.int/eng/en_index.htm

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s (WHO) website at http://www.who.int/en.  Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith.

MEDICAL INSURANCE:  The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation.  Please see our information on medical insurance overseas.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS:  While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.  The information below concerning Sudan is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

As part of local culture, strangers may stop to help lone women drivers stranded at the side of the road.  However, individual drivers should accept such help at their own risk.

Road conditions throughout Sudan are hazardous due to unpredictable local driving habits, pedestrians and animals in the roadway, and the lack of basic safety equipment on many vehicles.  Many roads are narrow and poorly maintained.  Only some major highways are paved.  At times, visibility is poor due to dust and sand storms.  Roads in southern Sudan are frequently impassable during the rainy season, while roads in the north can be quickly covered with shifting sand at any time during the year.  Nighttime driving throughout the country is dangerous and should be avoided if at all possible, as vehicles often operate without lights or park in the road without warning.  Ambulance and road emergency services are available in major urban areas but are extremely limited or unavailable elsewhere in the country.  Local drivers tend to show little regard for right of way and frequently exceed safe speed limits for road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Public transportation is limited except in and between major urban areas.  Passenger facilities are basic and crowded, especially during rush hours or seasonal travel.  Schedules are unpublished and subject to change without notice.  Vehicle maintenance does not meet the same standards as those in the United States or other western countries.  There is regular passenger train service from Khartoum to Wadi Halfa (on the border with Egypt) and Port Sudan (on the Red Sea).  Inter-city bus service between major cities is regular and inexpensive.  Intra-city bus service in the major urban areas is generally regular, but most buses and bus stops are unmarked.  Taxis are available in the major cities at hotels, tourist sites, and government offices.  Travelers are encouraged to hire cars and drivers from reputable sources with qualified drivers and safe vehicles.  Public transit service to communities in the interior is usually limited to irregularly scheduled mini-buses.  Most rural communities in the interior have no public transportation whatsoever.

U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling.  Cars have the steering wheel on the left side and drivers use the right side of the road.  Traffic from side streets on the right has the right of way when entering a fast-moving main street.  Traffic on the right has the right of way at stops.  Right turns on a red light are prohibited.  Speed limits are not posted.  The legal speed limit for passenger cars on inter-city highways is 120 kph (about 70 mph), while in most urban areas it is 60 kph (about 35 mph).  The speed limit in congested areas and school zones is 40 kph (about 25 mph).

All motor vehicle operators are required to purchase third-party liability insurance from the government.  Nonetheless, many local drivers carry no insurance.  Persons involved in an accident resulting in death or injury are required to report the incident to the nearest police station or official as soon as possible.  Persons found at fault can expect fines, revocation of driving privileges, and jail sentences, depending on the nature and extent of the accident.  Penalties for persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol are strict, and convicted offenders may expect fines, jail sentences, and corporal punishment.

Americans may use their U.S. driver's licenses up to 90 days after arrival, and then must carry either an International Driving Permit (IDP) or a Sudanese driver's license.  There are no restrictions on vehicle types, including motorcycles and motorized tricycles, although motorcycles are not common.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information. 

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service between the United States and Sudan, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Sudan’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with ICAO international aviation safety standards.  For more information, travelers may visit the FAA’s Internet web site at http://www.faa.gov/safety/programs_initiatives/oversight/iasa.

Flights during the dusty and rainy seasons are frequently delayed or cancelled.  Most locally operated aircraft tend to be older models.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:  In November 1997, the U.S. imposed comprehensive financial and commercial sanctions against Sudan, prohibiting U.S. transactions with Sudan.  Travelers intending to visit Sudan despite the Travel Warning should contact the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Office of Compliance, regarding the effect of these sanctions; telephone 1-800-540-6322 or 202-622-2490. 

Sudan has a cash-only economy, with no international ATMs.  They do not accept credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, or American Express.  Travelers must be prepared to pay cash for everything.

There is currently no curfew in Khartoum.  Hotel officials and local police can inform visitors whether a curfew is in effect in other localities.

Personal baggage is routinely searched upon arrival and departure.  Travelers should not attempt to enter Sudan with alcohol.  Permission is required to import video cameras and other electronic devices such as satellite phones, facsimile machines, televisions, and telephones.  Travelers with such electronic items should inquire about entry restrictions when they apply for a Sudanese visa and when they arrive at the port of entry.  Travelers are not allowed to depart Sudan with ivory and other animal products, or large quantities of gold.  For additional information concerning entry and exit formalities, travelers should contact the nearest Sudanese diplomatic mission.

A permit is required before taking photographs anywhere in Khartoum, as well as in the interior of the country.  Photographing military areas, bridges, drainage stations, broadcast stations, public utilities, slum areas, and beggars is prohibited.

Cellular telephone service is more reliable than landline service.  There is no telecommunications infrastructure in opposition-held Sudanese territory outside of relief agencies and opposition radio networks.  Email is available in Sudan, and there are Internet cafes in Khartoum, but service can be erratic.  There are frequent disruptions of water and electricity.

Sudan has a majority Muslim population and is very conservative.  Alcohol is prohibited and conservative dress is expected.  Although western women are not required to cover their heads, long- sleeved shirts and full-length skirts or slacks are recommended.  Short-sleeved shirts are acceptable, but men should not wear short pants in public.

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) requires travelers to areas under its control to obtain travel permits from the Nairobi office of the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association (SRRA).  A times, the SRRA will not issue travel permits to persons holding Sudanese government visas.  Other opposition groups issue their own travel permits.

Travelers to Sudan are required to register with police headquarters within three days of arrival.  Travelers must obtain police permission before moving to another location in Sudan and must register with police within 24 hours of arrival at the new location. These regulations are strictly enforced.  Even with proper documentation, travelers in Sudan can be subjected to delays and detention by Sudan's security forces, especially outside Khartoum.  Authorities expect roadblocks to be respected.

Please see our information on Customs Information.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES:  While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law.  Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.  Persons violating Sudan’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.  Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sudan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.  Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.  Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES:  For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, see the Office of Children’s Issues web site. 

REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION:  Americans living or traveling in Sudan are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration website and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Sudan.  Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.  By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.  The U.S. Embassy is located at Sharia Ali Abdul Latif, Khartoum; tel. (249-183) 774-701/2/3 (outside Sudan); tel. (0183) 774-701/2/3 inside Sudan.  For after-hours emergencies, please call 249-183-774-705 and leave a message for the Consular Duty Officer.

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This replaces the consular information sheet dated January 20, 2006, to update sections on Country Description, Entry/Exit Requirements, Safety and Security, Crime, Medical Facilities and Health Information, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, Aviation Safety Oversight, Special Circumstances, and Registration/Embassy Location.