Egypt Imposes New Visa Restrictions on Sudanese Nationals

Sudanese nationals arriving to Egypt are now required to have a visa issued before entering Egypt, effective from 10 June 2023.

An official statement was released on 10 June 2023, the new regulations were imposed as a crackdown on illegal activities such as forging entry visas to Egypt.

Prior to the new visa requirements, Sudanese women and men under the age of 16 and over the age of 50 did not require a visa. It was just men aged 16 to 49 who need a visa issued before entering Egypt. In addition, Sudanese nationals in the GCC, or with American or EU residency did not require a visa.

Due to ongoing fighting in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), at least 1 million people have fled from Sudan to neighbouring countries. According to UNHCR, when the war began on 15 April 2023, at the beginning of June, the distribution of the newly displaced from the fighting in Khartoum included more than 169,000 to Egypt, more than 100,000 to Chad, more than 94,000 to South Sudan, more than 13,800 to Central African Republic (CAR), and more than 7,500 to Ethiopia.

For those fleeing Sudan to Egypt, there are two border crossings into Egypt – Argeen and Qustul-Ashkit in Wadi Halfa – both in the Northern Sudan State of Sudan, and on the west and east banks of Nubia Lake. Both crossings welcome travelers to Aswan in southern Egypt. However, due to the new restrictions, Sudanese nationals wishing to flee Sudan to Egypt, will have to go the Qustul-Ashkit crossing border in Wadi Halfa to apply for an Egyptian visa at the consulate there.

Today the #Egyptian government issued a statement saying that as of Saturday, June 10, 2023, all #Sudanese nationals require visas for Egypt.With thousands stranded at the #Egypt–Sudan border,this change effectively prevents anyone from fleeing the country.@UNHumanRights @amnesty pic.twitter.com/CqEbedWAWS

— Sudanese Translators for Change STC (@SudaneseTc) June 9, 2023

According to this announcement by Egyptian Consulate at Wadi Halfa all Sudanese nationals regardless of age or gender are now required to obtain a visa to visit Egypt, effective Sat 10, June. #Sudan pic.twitter.com/U56XwYUcBF

— Usamah Mohamed (@simsimt) June 9, 2023

Sudanese nationals outside of Sudan wishing to apply for a visa to Egypt may apply by visiting the Egyptian Embassy in their respective country.

However, although the new visa requirements are expected to come into effect on 10 June 2023, some Sudanese nationals have reported to already being rejected entry to Egypt before 10 June. On her Instagram, well-known Sudanese blogger Tasabeh Diab shared a Story, stating that she was denied entry onboard a flight from the UAE, where she is based, to Egypt, where she was heading to on a business trip, on 9 June 2023 because she did not have a visa. According to her, at the airport in the UAE, she was told that the new visa requirements came into on effect on 8 June 2023.

رجعوها من المطار
و ضاع عليها البازر الماشه ليو ك شغل
ضاع عليها الفندق الحاجزهو
ضاعت عليها تذكرتها
في حين انو القرار مفترض من يوم السبت بكره !!

وقف دخلو السودانيين لمصر
من دون فيزا حتى لو عندك اقامه في الخليج او دول اوربيه
تاشيرة دخول مره واحده
وقف كذالك الاكسبشن للنساء… pic.twitter.com/6J6Yeo1B7E

— Ahmed ✪ الخواض (@a7medcist) June 9, 2023

In addition, Sudanese nationals have reported that countries such as the UAE and Ethiopia have also imposed new travel restrictions for Sudanese nationals wishing to travel to their respective countries.

Other than Chad, Sudan’s neighbouring countries are taking a markedly harsh approach towards civilians fleeing the war.

Ethiopia – pre-applied visas only or sent to refugee camps.

Egypt – hours and hours of waiting time at the border and slow visa processing for men under 50.

— Yousra Elbagir (@YousraElbagir) June 3, 2023

UAE cancelled all visit visas previously issued to Sudanese citizens, some found out after they landed at Dubai airport.

The way countries are closing their borders in our faces is frightening, humiliating and infuriating. #Sudan https://t.co/jvtvbfQuQm

— Hamid Khalafallah (@HamidMurtada) June 6, 2023

#متداول :
حال السودانيين في مطار دبي بعد رفض دخولهم، لتعليق تأشيرات السودانيين.#السودان pic.twitter.com/1DFE1bJw4F

— Sudan News (@Sudan_tweet) June 7, 2023

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