Is military service mandatory for Sudanese citizens and does it affect passport issuance?

Yes, military service is mandatory for Sudanese male citizens aged 18-33 for a period of 18-24 months. Males of conscription age may face restrictions on passport issuance or renewal until completing service or obtaining exemption. Those living abroad may need to provide documentation proving residency outside Sudan or pay exemption fees at Sudanese embassies. Requirements vary, so contact your nearest Sudanese consulate for specific guidance on passport services related to military service obligations.

Which countries offer visa-on-arrival for Sudanese passport holders?

Sudanese passport holders can obtain visa-on-arrival in 24 countries including: Maldives, Cambodia, Madagascar, Bangladesh, Burundi, Cape Verde, Comoros, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Laos, Lebanon, Macao, Mozambique, Nepal, Palau, Samoa, St. Lucia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, Djibouti, Niue, and Sierra Leone. Requirements and fees vary by destination, so verify current conditions with the destination's embassy before travel.

Can Sudanese citizens travel to the UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia without a visa?

No, Sudanese passport holders cannot travel visa-free to the UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia. However, all three countries offer e-visa or online visa options. The UAE and Qatar provide electronic visa services that can be applied for online prior to travel. Saudi Arabia requires a visa for tourism or business, which can be obtained electronically depending on the purpose of visit. Processing times and requirements vary, so apply well in advance.

Do Sudanese passport holders need a visa for Egypt, Ethiopia, or Turkey?

Sudanese passport holders require visas for all three countries, but application methods differ. Egypt requires a traditional visa obtained from an embassy or consulate. Ethiopia offers an e-visa system that can be applied for online before travel. Turkey also provides an e-visa option through their official electronic visa website. Always check current requirements and processing times with official government sources before booking travel.

What documents are required to renew a Sudanese passport?

To renew a Sudanese passport, you typically need: your current/expired passport, completed application form, recent passport-sized photos (usually 4-6 photos with white background), valid national ID card or birth certificate, proof of Sudanese nationality, and applicable fees. Males of military service age may need military service documentation or exemption certificates. Requirements may vary between Sudan and embassies abroad. Processing times range from 2 weeks to several months depending on location. Contact your nearest Sudanese embassy or passport office for specific requirements.

Can Sudanese passport holders travel to Europe or the Schengen Area?

Sudanese passport holders require a visa to enter all European Union and Schengen Area countries. No European countries offer visa-free access, visa-on-arrival, or e-visas to Sudanese citizens. You must apply for a Schengen visa at the embassy or consulate of your destination country (or main destination if visiting multiple countries) well in advance. The application requires proof of accommodation, travel insurance, financial means, return tickets, and a valid passport with at least 6 months validity.

Which African countries can Sudanese passport holders visit without a visa?

Sudanese passport holders can visit the following African countries visa-free: Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, and Rwanda. Additionally, visa-on-arrival is available in: Burundi, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Madagascar, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and Tanzania. E-visas are available for: Ethiopia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Togo, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Congo (DRC), Nigeria, Liberia, Somalia, Côte d'Ivoire, and South Sudan. Always verify current requirements before travel.

Are Sudanese passport holders banned from entering any countries?

While the Sudan passport itself is not explicitly banned, Sudanese citizens face significant visa restrictions and may be denied entry to many countries, particularly in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Israel does not accept Sudanese passports. Additionally, due to ongoing conflict and security concerns in Sudan since 2023, many countries have issued travel advisories and tightened visa scrutiny for Sudanese applicants. Some countries may require additional security clearances or interviews, significantly extending processing times.

How has the Sudan passport ranking changed over the years?

The Sudan passport ranking has fluctuated significantly over the past two decades. It started at rank 79 in 2006 (17 visa-free destinations), dropped to rank 107 in 2021 (41 destinations), improved to rank 95 in 2024 (45 destinations), and currently stands at rank 98 in 2025 (41 destinations). The ranking has been affected by political instability, international relations, and security concerns. Despite minor improvements, the Sudanese passport remains one of the weakest globally, offering limited visa-free travel options compared to most other countries.

Sudan Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 41 Countries

The Sudan passport ranks 98th globally in 2025, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 41 destinations worldwide. Sudanese passport holders face significant travel restrictions compared to top-ranking passports, with limited mobility primarily concentrated in African and select Middle Eastern countries. The passport has shown modest improvement from 17 visa-free destinations in 2006 to 41 in 2025, though its global ranking has fluctuated between 79th and 107th place over the past two decades. Sudanese citizens planning international travel should verify visa requirements well in advance due to the passport's restricted global mobility.

Global Rank

#98

out of 199 countries

Visa Free Access

countries worldwide

Mobility Score

out of 100 points

Quick Statistics for Sudan passport

Visa-Free

On Arrival

ETA Required

E-Visa

144

Visa Required

Source: Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Sudanese Citizens

Popular destinations where Sudan passport holders can travel without a visa:

Country	Maximum Stay	Code
Malaysia	Up to days
Egypt	Up to days
Jordan	Up to days
Tunisia	Up to days
Turkey	Up to days

Visa Requirements by Country

Complete breakdown of visa requirements for Sudan passport holders

✅ Visa-Free

14 countries

🛬 Visa on Arrival

24 countries

🔐 ETA Required

3 countries

Sri Lanka
Seychelles
St. Kitts and Nevis

💻 E-Visa

41 countries

❌ Visa Required

144 countries

Historical Ranking Trend

Sudan's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 19 positions from 2006 to 2025

Official Sudan Passport & Travel Resources

Access official government resources for passport services, travel advisories, and visa information:

🔗

Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Sudan

🔗

U.S. Department of State - Sudan Travel Advisory

🔗

UK Foreign Office - Sudan Travel Advice

🔗

Global Affairs Canada - Sudan Travel Advice

🔗

Australian DFAT - Sudan Travel Advice

Compare Sudan Passport with Other Passports

See how Sudan's passport compares with other AFRICA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Sudan (You are here)	#98	41	28/100	8/100
Mali	#88	54	42/100	51/100
Guinea-Bissau	#89	53	28/100	58/100
Comoro Islands	#89	53	42/100	18/100
Chad	#90	52	28/100	42/100
Central African Republic	#91	51	15/100	9/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

As of 2025, Sudanese passport holders can visit 41 destinations without a prior visa. This includes 14 visa-free countries (such as Malaysia, Kenya, Ghana, Rwanda, Barbados, and Haiti), 24 visa-on-arrival destinations (including Maldives, Cambodia, Madagascar, and Tanzania), and 3 electronic travel authorization countries (Sri Lanka, Seychelles, and St. Kitts and Nevis). The Sudan passport ranks 98th globally on the Henley Passport Index.

Explore More Passport Rankings

Discover Sudan's passport power and compare with other countries to find the world's most powerful travel documents.

View All Passport Rankings

Last Updated: November 9, 2025

Source: IATA Travel Centre, Skyscanner & Official Government Websites.

Sudan Passport Ranking – Visa Free Access to 41 Countries

Country

Maximum Stay

Code

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Up to days

Historical Ranking Trend

Sudan's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Trend: Declined by 19 positions from 2006 to 2025

Compare Sudan Passport with Other Passports

See how Sudan's passport compares with other AFRICA in the same ranking tier:

Country	Rank	Visa-Free Destinations	Mobility Score	Global Score
Sudan (You are here)	#98	41	28/100	8/100
Mali	#88	54	42/100	51/100
Guinea-Bissau	#89	53	28/100	58/100
Comoro Islands	#89	53	42/100	18/100
Chad	#90	52	28/100	42/100
Central African Republic	#91	51	15/100	9/100

*Mobility score calculated based on visa-free access and global travel freedom.

*Global score reflects overall passport strength considering various factors.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Quick Statistics for Sudan passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Sudanese Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Sudan's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Sudan Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Sudan Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Sudanese passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Is military service mandatory for Sudanese citizens and does it affect passport issuance?

Which countries offer visa-on-arrival for Sudanese passport holders?

Can Sudanese citizens travel to the UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia without a visa?

Do Sudanese passport holders need a visa for Egypt, Ethiopia, or Turkey?

What documents are required to renew a Sudanese passport?

Can Sudanese passport holders travel to Europe or the Schengen Area?

Which African countries can Sudanese passport holders visit without a visa?

Are Sudanese passport holders banned from entering any countries?

How has the Sudan passport ranking changed over the years?

Explore More Passport Rankings

Quick Statistics for Sudan passport

Top Visa-Free Destinations for Sudanese Citizens

Visa Requirements by Country

✅ Visa-Free

🛬 Visa on Arrival

🔐 ETA Required

💻 E-Visa

❌ Visa Required

Historical Ranking Trend

Sudan's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2025

Official Sudan Passport & Travel Resources

Compare Sudan Passport with Other Passports

Frequently Asked Questions:

How many countries can Sudanese passport holders visit without a visa in 2025?

Is military service mandatory for Sudanese citizens and does it affect passport issuance?

Which countries offer visa-on-arrival for Sudanese passport holders?

Can Sudanese citizens travel to the UAE, Qatar, or Saudi Arabia without a visa?

Do Sudanese passport holders need a visa for Egypt, Ethiopia, or Turkey?

What documents are required to renew a Sudanese passport?

Can Sudanese passport holders travel to Europe or the Schengen Area?

Which African countries can Sudanese passport holders visit without a visa?

Are Sudanese passport holders banned from entering any countries?

How has the Sudan passport ranking changed over the years?

Explore More Passport Rankings