South Sudan entry visa from an embassy

South Sudanese embassies receive visa applications for visits, business and work trips and send the decision through the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration, which the London embassy describes as the body that decides who may come to and stay in South Sudan. Holders of a valid South Sudanese passport or national documents do not need a visa, while South Sudanese travelling on a foreign passport must apply like other foreigners.

Washington asks for a passport valid at least 180 days from arrival, a signed application form printed on one side only, two 2 x 2 inch photos, an official letter from your organisation or an invitation letter from an organisation in South Sudan addressed to the embassy, and a money order. London adds a yellow fever certificate, the registration certificate of the inviting company or your contract, and for tourist visas a return ticket, a hotel booking and proof of residence in the UK. For personal or family visits London requires an entry permit obtained by your relatives through the Immigration Department in South Sudan.

The Kampala embassy also asks for the inviting company’s certificate of incorporation, tax clearance and trade licences, a bank slip and a yellow fever card, plus, depending on the case, a residence permit in Uganda, the inviter’s passport and permit, a marriage certificate, a return ticket and a hotel booking.

Washington charges nothing for East African Community and Egyptian passports, USD 50 for bordering African countries, USD 100 for the rest of Africa, Asian, Gulf, Canadian and European passports and USD 160 for US passports; other nationalities pay on the basis of reciprocity. Kampala lists USD 100 for African, Asian and European passports, USD 160 for US passports and free visas for Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi. London still publishes the rates in force since 25 June 2019: GBP 50 for one month single entry and GBP 100 for three months multiple entry for UK citizens, GBP 75 and GBP 150 for other nationals, paid in cash and not refundable. Diplomatic visas are free everywhere.

In Washington, applications are made in person or by mail with a prepaid return envelope, incomplete files are not processed, and complete ones are issued within ten business days; ordinary passports receive single-entry visas only. London receives applications in person on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and asks for at least seven working days; Kampala works by appointment and quotes four working days. No embassy guarantees a visa in advance.

Extensions are requested from the Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration of the Ministry of Interior before the visa expires, as the Washington embassy points out. The immigration eServices system also offers an online eVisa Renewal service.