Schengen visa for Sudan citizens in 2023

Citizens of Sudan who need to travel to Europe require a visa to enter any of the 27 countries located in the Schengen area. Schengen visas are processed by European embassies and consulates. At the moment, unrest in Sudan has resulted in the closure of most European consular missions in Khartoum and elsewhere in the country. Because of this, Sudanese citizens and residents will likely need to apply for their visas from outside the country. This blog will explain what is a Schengen visa and requirements for Sudan citizens and residents. The process for how to apply for a Schengen visa from Sudan (and from outside the country) is explained below.

What is a Schengen visa and requirements for Sudan citizens and residents

Citizens of many countries, including Sudan, require a visa to visit Europe. If you are a citizen of another country but a resident of Sudan, you may need a visa depending on where your passport is from. Sudanese travelers who are looking to enter Europe and stay there for up to 90 days should apply for a Schengen visa. A Schengen visa from Sudan will allow you to visit 27 countries in Europe, including France, Italy, Spain, and Germany. While Schengen countries include the vast majority of European states, some countries, such as the United Kingdom (England), Ireland, Russia, and Bulgaria are outside of the zone, meaning you cannot access these destinations with a Schengen visa. 

Requirements for Sudanese citizens include the submission of various required documents, such as a passport and Schengen visa application form. Please note that if these documents are written in Arabic (or in a language other than English or a major European language) you will likely need to have them translated into English or an accepted language in order for them to be processed. Applicants must also meet in-person requirements at a visa interview, where they will have their fingerprints and photo taken and pay a Schengen visa fee. How much does a Schengen visa cost for you depends on factors such as your age and whether or not you are a student, however most people pay 80 EUR. 

How to apply for the Schengen visa for Sudan citizens in Sudan

Under normal circumstances, you can apply for a Schengen visa from Sudan from within the country. However, because national unrest has forced the closure of European embassies, consulates, and visa processing centers in Khartoum and around the country (the places which accept Schengen visa applications) you will not be able to apply for a Schengen visa from Sudan from within the country in the immediate future. Therefore, the best way for how to get a Schengen visa from Sudan is to wait until you have left the country to apply for your visa. Once you are safely in another country, you can follow the below standard steps for how to apply for a Schengen visa. For example, Sudanese citizens and residents who evacuate to Egypt may apply for a Schengen visa to France at the French Embassy in Cairo. 

How to apply for a Schengen visa

• 1. Determine when to apply  
  • The sooner you want to travel, the sooner you should apply for your Schengen visa from Sudan. Keep in mind as well that embassies can take up to 60 days to process an application. Applications submitted less than 15 days before an intended trip are typically not accepted. Therefore, you should apply at least 15 days in advance of your trip (and no longer than six months in advance). 
• 2. Identify your primary destination in the Schengen area 
  • Your primary destination will determine where to apply for a Schengen visa from Sudan. Your primary destination is the Schengen country you want to go to. If you want to go to more than one country in the zone, select as your primary destination the one where you will be spending the most time. For example, if you want to visit France and Germany, but intend to spend more time in France, you will select France as your primary destination. 
• 3. Locate where to apply for your Schengen visa from Sudan
  • Applications for the Schengen visa from Sudan are submitted at foreign embassies, consulates and visa application centers (VACs). Where to apply for the Schengen visa from Sudan depends on your primary destination. If you are applying for a Schengen visa to France, for example, you will apply at the French Embassy, French Consulate or France’s authorized visa application center located in your country of residence. 
• 4. Pick your Schengen visa type for how to get Schengen visa from Sudan
  • The Schengen visa from Sudan is available in multiple different types. Choose yours based on your reason for travel (medical, education, business, etc). Keep in mind that the type you select will determine the supplemental documents you need to submit. See all the available types of Schengen visa for Sudan citizens and residents here.
• 5. Pick your Schengen visa entry category 
  • The Schengen visa from Sudan is available in three entry categories: single, double, or multiple. If you have a single-entry Schengen visa from Sudan and you exit the Schengen zone you won’t be able to return to it, even if you have time left on your visa. A double entry Schengen visa from Sudan will allow you to return to the zone once after exiting it. Finally, a multiple entry Schengen visa from Sudan will let you move in and out of zone as many times as you want within your visa duration period. 
• 6. Gather your application materials for the Schengen visa from Sudan 
  • All applicants for the Schengen visa from Sudan will need to submit the following materials: 
    • Sudanese valid passport (or other country valid passport). 
    • Two passport-sized photos (of the traveler). 
    • Proof of accommodation (address of where you are staying in the Schengen area, such as a hotel reservation). 
    • Proof of return (proof you will return to Sudan/ultimately leave the Schengen area in the form of a plane ticket, or other evidence of onward travel).
    • Proof of travel medical insurance (you will need to take out a travel medical insurance policy).
    • Proof of finances (that you can afford the trip).
  • Applicants must also submit supplemental materials relating to their specific visa type (see step 4) 
• 7. Fill out the Schengen visa form 
  •  This is the universal Schengen visa application form. Some countries—such as France—have an online version but most accept this form, which you should fill out, print out, sign, and submit (alongside your other required and supplemental documents) at your subsequent visa appointment.  
• 8. Schedule your Schengen visa appointment for your Schengen visa from Sudan
  • All applicants for the Schengen visa from Sudan need to attend a visa appointment—which must be applied for in advance—at their application destination. If you are planning to apply for a Schengen visa, you will need to schedule an online appointment. Contact us now, and we will book your visa appointment with the embassy/consulate/VAC. 
• 9. Attend your Schengen visa appointment for your Schengen visa from Sudan 
  • This is where you will complete all the in-person requirements relating to your Schengen visa from Sudan application. These include the following: 
    • Submitting your complete application (all documents and materials). 
    • Paying your Schengen visa fee (maximum 80 EUR). Click here to read more about how much does a Schengen visa cost from Sudan.
    • Having your biometric information (photo and fingerprints) taken and collected. 
    • Sitting for a short interview (you will be asked basic questions about your trip). 
• 10. Wait for a decision on your Schengen visa from Sudan
  • The processing time for Sudan Schengen visa is anywhere from 15 days to 60. If you are approved for a visa, it will be pasted into your Sudanese passport. You will show your passport to enter the Schengen area. 
  • If your application is rejected, Please note that application fees are non-refundable, meaning the 80 EUR application fee will not be returned to you in the event you are denied a visa.