Entry Formalities
The authorities in Sudan set and enforce entry rules. Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Sudan. Visas are available on arrival for most nationalities, provided visitors have an entry permit arranged via a local tour operator, a hotel or a Sudanese embassy in your country. The authorities in Sudan set and enforce entry rules. For further information contact the embassy, high commission or consulate of Sudan in your country.
Enter by Plane
Regulations
Due to the Covid pandemic, all arrivals must provide a negative PCR test and details of their original place of travel, transit and final destination, their address and their contact details in case the authorities need to contact them in the event of another passenger testing positive.
It's strictly forbidden to take alcohol into Sudan.
Visas
Everyone, except Egyptians, needs a visa. For people applying for their visa (tourist visa) in Sudan, the price of the visa is 100$ for a period of 60 days, to this is added approximately 100$ for the entry permit and government fees. Your physical passport must be valid for at least 180 days from date of arrival in Sudan.
You should register with the Foreigners Registration Office of the Ministry of Interior within three days of your arrival in the country. If you don’t, you may be fined. Some large hotels and local tourist agencies offer to register their guests. Fees apply and vary depending on where you register. Two passport size photos may be required.
Money
It’s not possible to withdraw any cash against non-Sudanese credit and debit cards at banks or from ATM. Foreign credit and debit cards can’t be used anywhere in Sudan, including at international hotels. Make sure you have enough cash in hard currency with you – this should be in US dollars dated 2006 onward (older ones will not be exchanged). Pounds sterling are rarely exchanged but Euro is excepted. You should only change money through banks or official exchange offices (eg in hotels). Don’t change any money on the street.
Enter by Road
Ashkit-Qustul Border Post
Regarding the Ashkit-Qustul border crossing between Egypt and Sudan, it is divided into two parts: the Sudanese immigration and the Egyptian immigration. To cross the border post, you must be in possession of a passport valid at least 6 months before the date of return, an entry permit for Sudan and a negative PCR test.
Arrived at the Egyptian border post, you must go through the baggage checkpoint and then go to the immigration office. You are given an immigration card in the bus, however check that this card is in accordance with your nationality. If the bus staff does not have a card that suits you, you should not take it but get it at the border.
At the Egyptian immigration, it is very likely that you will be asked for the original of your entry permit for Sudan. If you are in possession of your entry permit, obtained in Cairo or Aswan, this will not be a problem. It is recommend that you apply and get it in Cairo and not in Aswan where the time to obtain it can be very long. However, if your entry permit is waiting for you at the Sudanese border post, arrange for it to be brought to the Egyptian border post or provide them with a printed copy.
Then you can join your bus before passing through Sudanese immigration. You may be asked to get off the bus at the border entrance while an officer will check your passport.
After that, you need to complete a form with your personal details, reason for staying in Sudan, names and contacts of your sponsors, hotel or place of residence and other information. The next step is to obtain the visa in your passport which you will only obtain by handing over your entry permit. The visa costs $100. As a foreigner, remember that the registration of your arrival in Sudan must be done within three days, with the Foreigners Registration Office of the Ministry of Interior. If you are arriving by sea or land, you can check in at your point of entry. Some large hotels offer to register their guests. Fees apply and vary depending on where you register. Two passport size photos may be required.
Do not forget to change your Egyptian pounds (LE) at the border and get Sudanese pounds (SDG) if you do not have any yet. It is also imperative to have enough US dollars dated from 2006 to cover your entire trip as it is not possible to use foreign credit cards in Sudan.
Covid-19 - PCR Test
The Sudanese Civil Aviation Authority requires all passengers from outside of Sudan, to possess a certified negative PCR test certificate dated within 72 hours of arrival. Persons 8 years old and younger are exempt. Persons seeking to depart Sudan require a negative result from a PCR test taken within 72 hours before departure.
Mandatory quarantine measures have been lifted for all arriving travelers. However, passengers who fail to provide a negative result from a PCR test will be subject to a 14-day quarantine period at their own cost.
If you need to get PCR test in Port Sudan, we recommend you the Ibn Khaldoun Medical Center where the PCR test cost 10,000 SDG.
Documents and Money
Bank card(s) will be useful on your way to Port Sudan but once there it will not be easy to use them, certainly if you arrive from abroad.
Prepare enough USD or Euros for your whole trip. It will save you and will allow you to enjoy your trip in peace.
Copies of passport (printed and online copies).
Flight tickets (printed and online copies).
Vaccination or PCR certificate (printed and copies online).
Extra ID photos for official use.
International health insurance card and travel insurance info (online copies).
Copies of the money cards (inc. info on blocking, online copies).
ID card reader.
For divers, a proof of your certification status.
Travel Tips
How to Prepare Your Trip
Check the latest Port Sudan travel advice.
Download a VPN. VPN is always useful to have on your phone or computer especially to access some apps like your bank.
Ask us to arrange your Sudanese visa. It will be valid for two months and renewable twice on site for a period of one month for each renewal.
You may want to get a travel insurance.
Some immunisations (check with your local tropical healthcare clinic, a yellow fever vaccine could be recommended).
Plan your trip carefully. Sudan is a country with an arid climate and with hot temperatures in summer and cool in winter.
Specific Things To Pack
Liner or sleeping bag. Accommodation can be very basic.
Vaccination certificate with yellow fever certificate, if you arrive from a yellow fever endemic (neighboring) country.
Copies of important documents, such as your visa and your passport, and bring a few ID photos.
Plenty of US dollars dated from 2006 or later without creases. You won’t be able to use your credit card in Sudan.
Clothing
Modest clothing is advised as the large majority of people in Port Sudan is Muslim and conservative.
Clothes for Men
Conservative, for men usually means wearing long trousers instead of shorts, even when faced with Africa's extreme heat. Wearing a button-down shirt is customary; a local, flowing long-sleeved shirt is acceptable too. Non-Muslim men are not expected to cover their heads unless entering a mosque or religious site.
Clothes for Women
Women need to take care to cover themselves in long trousers or floor-length dresses. Exposed legs and shoulders are not acceptable. Wear several layers of loose, lightweight clothing for the most comfort. It is recommended to wear a scarf in some places such as busy public places to avoid any inconvenience.
