Hi,

we are in Addis about to get sudan visas. does anyone know if it is better to go for the full visa or just a transit visa.

thanks

Definitely go for the transit visa. Depending on your nationality and whether or not you already have the letter of invitation from a sudanese citizen, you might not ever be able to get the full tourist visa in addis. Some have had success with the transit visa, but be sure you have the egypt visa in your passport first, have the letter of introduction from your embassy, a few passport photos, copies of passport, copies of passport page with Egypt visa, and even then be prepared to wait and be frustrated. Some have gotten it from 24-72 hours. Others have had to wait 3 weeks.

Here you go bro!

Obtaining a Sudanese visa in Addis: (I moved this post here from sub-Saharan Africa. I was issued a transit visa valid for 14 days from the date of issue- PLUS 14 days to transit Sudan. They issued my visa in less than 24 hours).


Obtaining a visa for Sudan has become more difficult over the past few months. I just obtained mine today. I met a couple from Switzerland that were refused visas for Sudan, and just heard about a couple from Austria that were turned away this month. Both couples are heading to Djibouti to try and find a ferry to Port Said. Don't bother trying for a Sudanese visa in Nairobi, they don't issue them there. Cairo is said to be the easiest place to obtain a visa. I made a total of 6 trips to the embassy of Sudan here in Addis, I met a Korean fellow who needed 7 visits. Don't bother going to the embassy without the following:
1) A letter of introduction from your country's embassy. It must include your name and date of birth and CANNOT be a standard form letter without your name- ask how I know that!
2) A photocopy of your passport (page with your picture).
3) A photocopy of your passport (page showing your visa for Egypt).
4) 2 passport photos.
5) Plenty of patience.
You cannot obtain an appliction until your letter of intro has been examined and signed by an official (in 1 of 2 offices on the left side of the embassy). Expect to wait from 1-2 hours at each step, there are 3 or 4 steps. After obtaining an application, fill it out. It reads right to left, like Arabic. Filling the form out from left to right will have you putting the wrong info in the boxes. Now it's time to put the docs together:
Page 1) Application.
Page 2) Letter of intoduction.
Page 3) Photocopy of passport (with your picture).
Page 4) Photocopy of passport (with Egypt visa).
Now put 1 of the passport photos on the top left corner of the documents. Put the other photo on the back of the docs, opposite the first pic, and staple the photos/docs together (when you turn the docs over you should be able to see your picture). There is a stapler available near the visa section. If you need a photocopy made, exit the embassy, cross the street and turn left, there is a shop some 100 meters up the road. The cost of the visa ranges from $50-150usd, depending on your nationality. If you follow these instructions, you'll save weeks of running around Addis- and should have your visa within 24 hours. I met a couple who were told they didn't need an Egyptian visa to obtain their transit visa (valid for 7 days). The Korean fellow I met was told he had to have one- as was I. I would suggest you obtain one- you'll have to anyway. After giving your docs to the visa section, you can (hopefully) collect your passport/visa the next day after 1500- unless it is Saturday! The embassy is open Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 0800-1230. Though when I went there last friday morning I was told the staff were at a Mosque and wouldn't be working that day. Also, on Mondays there are often 100's of workers trying to obtain visas. Wednesday is your best bet. Good luck! Hook.
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Thank you for your replies. We got a transit visa yesterday for Sudan. All we needed was a egyptian visa and passport photo's on South African passport. European passports need a letter from their embassy. It was pretty pain free picked up passport next day.

thanks again.

03/03/2009

The reply about the documents is fab! Only thing is, when I went into the Egyptian Embassy on the above date there was a sign saying that as of that date a VISA would take 4 days. Be warned. It could happen!. Big word of advice: don't freak out. I was very calm explained all the stuff about needing it to get thru the Sudan, and she told me to phone in the afternoon. I got my visa by 4:30 PM

The guy that freaked out didn't. Unfortunately I have to wait until Monday to make my application at the Sudan Embassy. The days for visas there are Mon-Wed-Fri. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!

What if you are planning on getting a boat in Port Sudan for Saudi Arabia? The SA visa is too short and you can't apply enough in advance to use it for you sudanese entry...