Sudanese Visa (Ethiopia to Sudan)
 

Hi,

I am planning an overland trip in a Toyota Landcruiser on the eastern side. I would like to enter through Ethiopia. I am having trouble finding any information on how to get a visa. I have an American passport and my friend is travelling on a Greek passport. I have heard the process takes a while and I might not get one given that I am leaving South Africa in March 08. If that is the case, i think we will just take a ferry from Djibouti to Yemen.

Does anyone have any idea on the visa process or advice?

Could we have trouble travelling in Egypt as well?

Thank you in advance.

best way is to make sure you have an egyptian visa on your passport before you go. if you odnt you can get this at the egyptian embassy in addis.
when you have it simply go to the sudanese embasssy in addis and tell them you want a transit visa for Sudan and they will give it to you the next day

Gary

Gary,

Thanks for the info just to make sure I understand, you are suggesting I have an Egyptian visa first. I can get an Egyptian visa in Addis, then I should go to the Sudanese Embassy to get a transit visa. Is a transit visa easier to get than another visa? From what I have read there seems to be a very long wait time in general to get a Sudanese visa. thank you, Gary.

Abe

Not a problem. You have to go to your embassy first (Don't know if there is a Greek one in Addis so you might have to do this in South Africa) and get a letter of introduction, this you take to the Sudanese embassy in Addis.

Getting an Egypt visa in South Africa might be a good idea, the Egyptian visa is valid for 6 months.

Looks like we will be on the road more or less the same time?

I dunno Abe. Americans have a very difficult time getting visa's for Sudan. You better get some solid answers before planning to get in. I have a friend who tried real hard to get in with a US passport and failed in Addis. Pure politics- everyone else can get in no problem.

BTW you mentioned leaving South Africa and going to Egypt. I think if you have a Carnet issued in SA, it is not valid for Egypt, so you might want to check into that too.

Thanks Pete,

Had a meeting with the Automobile Association here, it's not a problem apart from the 200% bank guarantee we have to put down here with them :eek3:

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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Abe, hope you see this post!

I can verify that it it is easy to get the visa in Cairo. It cost $100, but I was able to get it on the spot.

Anyone have updated info on this?

I've heard conflicting reports about Addis. Some say it's 24 hours, some 72, some say weeks, some say never.

Also, some have said in the past that Dar Es Salaam is the best East African place to get the Sudan visa, but it was Aug 07 that I last saw that. Anyone have updated info on that?

I've also come across one guy that said he got it in Kampala, Uganda. Any idea if that's still happening?

Thanks!