Sudan
Summary
For security reasons the FCDO advises against all travel to:
- the Darfur states
- the Abyei Region
- South Kordofan and Blue Nile states
- the southern area of West Kordofan state that was previously part of South Kordofan, as shown on the map
- within 50km of the border with South Sudan in White Nile and Sennar states
- within 200km of the border with Libya
The FCDO advises against all but essential travel to the remainder of Sudan
British Embassy Khartoum are following developments resulting from the political crisis caused by the military coup on 25 October 2021. Regular protests take place across the country. Violence has been used against protesters and a number have been killed. Internet and telephone services also remain unreliable and may be blocked or suspended at short notice. There is a risk that the situation in Khartoum and elsewhere in Sudan could deteriorate rapidly.
You should stay away from areas where demonstrations are planned. If you unexpectedly meet a demonstration, leave the area straight away. Protest plans are usually published in advance, but these are not always accurate. Roads may be blocked, sometimes with little notice, by protestors or security forces. You should monitor media coverage, consider whether travel movements are needed, avoid demonstrations and follow the advice of the local authorities.
There have also been increased reports of opportunistic crime including theft, muggings and demands for payment at checkpoints in Khartoum and elsewhere. See Safety and security section
The Embassy continues to carry out essential work and we continue to offer consular services online and by telephone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you need assistance, call + 249 (0) 156 77 5500 / +44 (0)1908 516666. When calling, you may hear a message stating that our offices are closed. If so, stay on the line and select the option for ‘calling about an emergency involving a British national’ to speak to an officer.
Consular support is severely limited in parts of Sudan where the FCDO has existing advice against all travel and all but essential travel (as set out above). The British Embassy no longer registers British nationals in Sudan and the capacity of the British Embassy to help in times of crisis may be limited. You should consider your own travel arrangements carefully and make sure you have up-to-date travel documents and visas in case you need to leave at short notice. See this crisis guidance page for more information about the precautions you should take in the event of a crisis and the help and support the British Embassy can provide.
COVID-19 entry restrictions for Sudan
Before you travel, check the ‘Entry requirements’ section for Sudan’s current entry restrictions and requirements. These may change with little warning. Monitor this advice for the latest updates and stay in contact with your travel provider.
Travelling from and returning to the UK
Check what you must do to travel abroad and return to England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.
If you plan to pass through another country to return to the UK, check the travel advice for the country you’re transiting.
ItIf you’re still planning travel to Sudan, find out what you need to know about coronavirus there in the Coronavirus section.
Due to COVID-19, it is more important than ever to get travel insurance and check it provides sufficient cover. See the FCDO’s [guidanceguidance on foreign travel insurance.
For information about COVID-19 vaccines, see the Coronavirus page.
Terrorists are likely to try to carry out attacks in Sudan. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. See Terrorism
You will need a visa to visit Sudan. See Visas
If you’re abroad and you need emergency help from the UK government, contact the nearest British embassy, consulate or high commission.
The Overseas Business Risk service offers information and advice for British companies operating overseas on how to manage political, economic, and business security-related risks.
Update history
2024-06-19 10:29
Updated information on criminal kidnap (‘Safety and security’ page).
2024-03-19 13:38
This travel advice has been rewritten to make it easier to read and understand.
2023-10-27 15:33
Information on the risk of protests in Sudan due to the current conflict in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories (‘safety and security’ page).
2023-08-09 15:39
Information about air travel in and out of Sudan (‘Safety and security’ page).
2023-06-22 11:53
Information about the global terrorism risks to British nationals abroad on all FCDO travel advice pages.
2023-05-12 22:16
Saudi Government announces end of humanitarian evacuations from the Republic of Sudan (‘Summary page’)
2023-05-10 17:38
Information added on temporary closure of British Embassy Khartoum, restricted availability of consular support, and how to contact the FCDO if you are a British national in need of assistance in Sudan. (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-05 13:02
Updated to reflect that all remaining UK consular staff have now been withdrawn from Port Sudan and the Egypt/Sudan border, and how British nationals remaining in Sudan needing assistance can contact the FCDO. (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-04 11:38
Updated information on the changing security environment in Port Sudan, and the inclusion of a 24/7 helpline (‘Summary’ page).
2023-05-04 00:56
Information for British Nationals still in Sudan following the departure of the final evacuation flight
2023-05-02 18:45
updated with information on final evacuation flights from Port Sudan on 3 May (‘Summary’ page)
2023-05-01 12:11
Updated information on evacuation from Port of Sudan (Summary page).
2023-04-30 19:09
Updated information on evacuation from Port of Sudan (summary page)”
2023-04-30 15:28
“Updated information on evacuation from Port Sudan (Summary page)”
2023-04-30 01:26
Latest update: Updated information on the end of evacuations from Wadi Saeedna airfield (Summary page)
2023-04-29 14:27
“Updated information on travelling to Saudi Arabia from Sudan (Summary page)”
2023-04-28 18:03
updated with information about ending of evacuation flights, and FCDO assistance available in Port Sudan (‘Summary’ page)
2023-04-28 04:28
Latest update:Update to reflect the extension of the ceasefire by a further 72 hours (“Evacuation”)
2023-04-27 21:01
Latest update: Details of other exit routes from Sudan (‘Summary’, ‘Coronavirus’, ‘Safety and security’, ‘Terrorism’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Travel advice help and support’ pages).
2023-04-26 22:23
Information added about evacuation flights and about the HMG presence in Port Sudan (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-25 18:53
information added about the need to be a non-visa national or to already have existing UK entry clearance to be eligible for evacuation (‘Summary’ page) and information about an increased malaria risk in Khartoum (‘Summary’ and ‘Health’ pages)
2023-04-25 12:00
Information added about how the UK Government are helping British nationals leave Sudan, with information on where to go.
2023-04-25 07:58
“Addition of information and advice about evacuation plans (Summary page)”
2023-04-25 06:42
Updated information on Evacuation plans (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-24 17:03
Updated information on number to telephone for consular services (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-24 07:23
Updated to advice on staying indoors. We continue to advise you do so wherever possible. (summary)
2023-04-23 13:58
Latest update: Addition of information regarding reports of independent convoys (Summary) and updates to ‘Help and support’ and ‘Travel advice help and support’.
2023-04-23 02:11
Addition of information regarding reports of independent convoys (summary)
2023-04-22 08:20
Further update to security situation in Sudan; in the event of a ceasefire, any decision to move must be taken at individual risk.
2023-04-20 23:07
Request for British nationals to register their presence with the FCDO if they are in Sudan
2023-04-18 22:14
Further update to security situation in Sudan; in the event of a ceasefire, any decision to move must be taken at individual risk. (Summary)
2023-04-16 18:06
Update on the security situation and closure of the airport (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2023-04-15 19:42
Change to advise against all travel to the whole of Sudan (‘Summary’ page).
2023-04-15 11:13
Updated information on military clashes in Khartoum and other parts of the country (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2023-03-27 12:22
Updated information on Malaria and Dengue haemorrhagic fever (‘Health’ page).
2023-03-16 10:12
Updated Sudan Embassy in London website links (‘Local laws and customs’ and ‘Entry requirements’ pages).
2023-03-09 09:29
Updated information on entry requirements for children and young people (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-10-12 11:47
Removal of ‘advice against all but essential travel’ for Khartoum and some wider areas of Sudan. The FCDO now advises against all travel within 20km of the border with Eritrea and Ethiopia, and the al-Fashaga region. The FCDO also now advises against all but essential travel to the Hala’ib Triangle and Bil Tawil trapezoid. The FCDO additionally continues to advise against all travel to the Darfur states, the Abyei Region, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, the southern area of West Kordofan state that was previously part of South Kordofan, to within 50km of the border with South Sudan in White Nile and Sennar states, and to within 200km of the border with Libya (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages).
2022-09-20 12:22
Addition of information that COVID-19 restrictions on entering Sudan have been lifted as of 1 August 2022 (‘Entry requirements’ page).
2022-07-07 15:55
Updated information on entry rules regarding COVID-19 and the ongoing risk related to political crisis and violence against protests (‘Summary’, ‘Entry requirements’ and ‘Safety and security’ pages)
2022-04-04 15:31
Update to information related to increased reports of opportunistic crime, thefts, muggings and demands for payments at checkpoints. (‘Summary’ and ‘Safety and Security’ pages’)
2022-03-02 11:41
Updated information on the political situation, including continued risks related to protests, and on COVID-19 vaccines. (‘Summary’ and ‘COVID-19 vaccines if you live in Sudan’ pages’).