Getting Sudan Visa here in UK

[Dambusters2014]

I will be travelling down through Sudan in September and want to get as much of the Visa side of things done ahead of thr trip. I am told that this is OK with the Sudan Embassy so long as I apply after 2nd July but I see on their Visa application form it asks for a 'sponsor'.
Anyone else tried to get the Sudan visa ahead of the time of travel?
Is the 'sponsor' a nice to have or a need to have?
All advice much appreciated!
Simon

[Niallo]

Simon

NOt specific info on getting your visa in advance but should be usefull none the less....

I'm heading for Sudan ETA - Mid April.

Haven't come across the sponsorship issue.

But I rekon thats because I'll be getting a Transit Visa as opposed to a Tourist visa.

The latter is supposed to be much more difficult to get in so fr as it can take a number of weeks and there may be sponsorship issues.

In short I've opted for the transit visa because its easiere to get and its also what most people seem to go for. I believe the transit visa gives seven days and may be extended enroute (not sure on the extension bit yet).

The transit visa is same day or 2 day turn around/issue, and available from Sudanese embassy in Cairo. But you will also need a letter of Introduction from your embassy in Cairo.

Note: The letter of introduction must be from the embassy in the country where you are applying for the visa - so if in Cairo - the intro must be from your UK embassy in Cairo. If you get one in advance in the UK - you may be told to get one from Cairo...

Anyway - keep this tread going - very interested

Niallo

[ghenk]

I am planning the same route and will be heading into sudan in April / May(ish). I was under the impression that the visa that you got in Cairo was valid for 3 months not just 7 days. Maybe I have been misinformed. Can anyone shed any light on this? 7 days is tight to get from Wadi to Kartoum, pick up Ethiopia Visa and head to the border. Maybe we should get our Ethiopia visa in Cairo?

Bruce
onewaysouth

[Niallo]

Bruce

FYI

Extract from Expedia.co.uk Travel World Guide - Sudan Passport/Visa

Validity: Tourist or Business: One month from the date of issue.
Transit: One to seven days.
Visits may be extended through the Passport, Immigration and Nationality Office in Khartoum, Sudan.

RE Ethiopian Visa

Extract from Ethiopia Visa

Tourist visas can only be issued on arrival to:

• foreign nationals who are coming from countries where there is no Ethiopian Mission
• foreign nationals who are coming from and are permanent residents in any of the following internationally recognised tourist-generating countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea Republic, Kuwait, Luxembourg, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Russian Federation, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States.

Niallo

[Niallo]

Lads

Think i've posted a bum steer re availability of Ethiopian visa at boarder.

Info posted refers to entry at airports only - not at land boarders!!

Niallo

[Dambusters2014]

Thanks for the feedback folks.

I will give the Sudan Embassy here in London a call tomorrow to see if I can get some clarity.

Simon

[mrg46]

I've just spoken to the Sudan consulate in London. They didn't sound very clued-up but said an application from London would take 2 months!

Sounds like the Cairo process is worthwhile if you don't have that long to wait in London.

[joels21]

Niallo, could you give an update on getting the Sudan visa in Addis? I'm planning on going in June, doing Nairobi to Khartoum, and would like to know the best way to get the visa. My trip is a somewhat short one, so I can't wait around in Addis for weeks to get the visa.