South Sudan and Sudan passports solve different travel problems, even when the headline comparison looks simple. For South Sudan passport holders, international travel still starts with paperwork more often than not. The passport ranks 92nd globally in 2026. It is slightly below its 2008 position of 86th. Access has widened meaningfully, from 0 destinations then to 41 now. The supporting scores are modest too, at 18 globally and 12 for openness. This passport leans heavily on arrival-based access rather than pure visa-free entry: 22 destinations offer visa on arrival, including Madagascar, Bolivia, and Burundi. There are also 18 visa-free destinations, such as Benin, Botswana, and Cook Islands. The practical advice is simple: check the visa route early and keep the 6-month validity buffer in mind before booking. Use this as planning data, not final permission to travel; official embassy or border-authority guidance should be checked before departure. For Sudan passport holders, international travel still starts with paperwork more often than not. The passport ranks 92nd globally in 2026. It is slightly below its 2006 position of 79th. Access has still improved, rising from 17 to 41 destinations. This passport leans heavily on arrival-based access rather than pure visa-free entry: 24 destinations offer visa on arrival, including Madagascar, Bangladesh, and Burundi. There are also 14 visa-free destinations, such as Benin, Cook Islands, and Dominica. The practical advice is simple: check the visa route early and keep the 6-month validity buffer in mind before booking. Rules change, so travellers should still confirm the final entry requirement with the relevant embassy or government site before travel. Reading those profiles together gives better context than a one-line winner label, because passport strength depends on where you travel, how often rules change, and whether the passport creates practical friction at borders, airlines, or visa portals.
South Sudan vs Sudan Passport Comparison
South Sudan
AFRICA
For South Sudan passport holders, international travel still starts with paperwork more often than not. The passport ranks 92nd globally in 2026. It is slightly below ...
Sudan
AFRICA
For Sudan passport holders, international travel still starts with paperwork more often than not. The passport ranks 92nd globally in 2026. It is slightly below its 20...
South Sudan and Sudan are evenly matched on the headline metrics: both show 41 visa-free destinations and both are ranked 92. In this case, the useful comparison is not a winner label. It is the destination mix, shared access, exclusive destinations, and the practical context around each passport.
These passports share 13 visa-free destinations in the current comparison data, including Benin, Cook Islands, Dominica, The Gambia, Haiti, and Kenya. That shared-access layer is the first practical filter because many trips may feel similar once the destination list overlaps. The difference starts in the exclusive-access layer: South Sudan has 5 destination(s) in this comparison that Sudan does not share, while Sudan has 1.
South Sudan carries a AFRICA travel profile, while Sudan carries a AFRICA travel profile. For frequent travelers, that can affect more than tourism: Schengen access, regional perception, investment-linked citizenship or residency context, and official document reliability all shape how a passport performs in real use. Use the table below to find where the two passports diverge, then verify the current rule through official resources before booking or filing paperwork.
- 13 visa-free destinations are shared by all compared passports.
- The largest exclusive advantage is 5 destination(s) unique to one passport in this comparison.
- Ranking and access figures are rendered from country ranking history with a 2026-first year preference.
Detailed Passport Metrics
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | South Sudan | Sudan |
|---|---|---|
| Visa-Free Destinations | 41 | 41 |
| 2026 Ranking | 92 | 92 |
| Global Mobility Score | 18/100 | 8/100 |
| Openness Score | 12/100 | 28/100 |
| Continent | AFRICA | AFRICA |
| Schengen Member | No | No |
| Citizenship by Investment | No | No |
| Residency by Investment | No | No |
| Visa on Arrival | 22 | 24 |
| eTA Available | 3 | 3 |
| e-Visa Available | 31 | 41 |
| Visa Required | 153 | 144 |
Visa-Free Destinations
2026 Ranking
Global Mobility Score
Openness Score
Continent
Schengen Member
Citizenship by Investment
Residency by Investment
Visa on Arrival
eTA Available
e-Visa Available
Visa Required
Summary Insights
Comparison Summary & Recommendations
Overall Winner
South Sudan
With 41 visa-free destinations, South Sudan offers the most global mobility among the compared passports.
Most Unique Access
South Sudan
South Sudan provides exclusive visa-free access to 5 destinations not accessible with the other passports.
Key Insights
- • All compared passports share access to 13 common destinations
- • The strongest passport offers 41 visa-free destinations
- • Consider your travel priorities: business, leisure, or specific regions when choosing a passport
- • Visa requirements can change - always verify current entry requirements before traveling
Visa Access Breakdown
Visa Access Analysis
Understanding the overlap and unique access each passport provides
Exclusive Visa-Free Access
South Sudan
5 unique destinations
Sudan
1 unique destinations
Shared Visa-Free Destinations (13)
Countries that all compared passports can access visa-free
Historical Ranking Trends
Ranking Trends Over Time
Historical passport ranking comparison from 2006 to 2026 (lower rank is better)
| Year | South Sudan Rank | Sudan Rank | South Sudan Visa-free | Sudan Visa-free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | N/A | 79 | N/A | 17 |
| 2007 | N/A | 82 | N/A | 0 |
| 2008 | 86 | 86 | 0 | 26 |
| 2009 | 86 | 86 | 0 | 0 |
| 2010 | 96 | 96 | 30 | 30 |
| 2011 | 98 | 98 | 32 | 32 |
| 2012 | 95 | 97 | 38 | 36 |
| 2013 | 87 | 88 | 39 | 38 |
| 2014 | 88 | 89 | 39 | 38 |
| 2015 | 104 | 104 | 35 | 35 |
| 2016 | 97 | 98 | 38 | 37 |
| 2017 | 96 | 97 | 37 | 36 |
| 2018 | 100 | 102 | 41 | 39 |
| 2019 | 97 | 102 | 42 | 37 |
| 2020 | 96 | 99 | 43 | 40 |
| 2021 | 104 | 107 | 44 | 41 |
| 2022 | 99 | 102 | 44 | 41 |
| 2023 | 98 | 100 | 44 | 42 |
| 2024 | 94 | 95 | 46 | 45 |
| 2025 | 96 | 97 | 44 | 43 |
| 2026 | 92 | 92 | 41 | 41 |
Each cell shows rank and visa-free count for that year.
Destinations
Notable Visa-Free Destinations
Representative destinations that highlight each passport's strongest visa-free access profile.
South Sudan
- Kenyaup to 90 days
- Ethiopiaup to 90 days
- Ugandaup to 90 days
- Rwandaup to 90 days
- Philippinesup to 30 days
Sudan
- Malaysia
- Egypt
- Jordan
- Tunisia
- Turkey
Resources
Official Resources
Primary government and immigration sources for policy verification before travel.
South Sudan
Sudan
FAQ
South Sudan vs Sudan Passport FAQs
Answers to common questions about South Sudan vs Sudan passport strength, visa-free access, and travel planning.
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