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Passport validity requirements

To enter South Sudan, your passport must have an ‘expiry date’ at least 6 months after the day you arrive and have at least 2 blank pages.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Dual nationals

When returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual citizenship.

Visa requirements

You must have a visa to enter or travel through South Sudan.

Applying for a visa

You can:

• apply online for a South Sudan visa
• apply through the South Sudanese Embassy for a visa

If you want to extend your visa, contact the Ministry of the Interior in person:

Ministry of the Interior, Airport Road, Juba
Phone: +211 (0)926 388 499
Email: info@mol.gov.ss

If you plan to work in South Sudan, see information on work permits from the Ministry of Labour.

Registering with the police

You must register at a local police station if you’re in South Sudan for 5 days or more.

Vaccine requirements

To enter South Sudan, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination.

For details about medical entry requirements and recommended vaccinations, see TravelHealthPro’s South Sudan guide.

Ebola 

In May 2026, neighbouring countries (Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda) reported Ebola cases, including in areas close to the border with South Sudan (Western Equatoria State). If crossing a land border from DRC or Uganda into South Sudan, you may encounter health screening measures such as temperature checks and a request to provide a brief travel history.

At Juba International Airport, some airlines are now asking passengers departing the country to complete a health declaration form. Some countries have heightened health screening for travellers coming from South Sudan. Check entry requirements for the country you’re travelling to or transiting. 

The UK’s Returning Workers Scheme has been activated, due to the outbreak of Ebola disease. Returning health and humanitarian workers should check the latest at UK’s Returning Workers Scheme before returning to the UK. Due to the proximity of South Sudan to affected areas, South Sudan is also covered by the scheme.

UK Health Security Agency has Ebola information for humanitarian or healthcare workers.

COVID-19

On rare occasions, some travellers have been asked to show proof of their COVID-19 vaccination. You can get proof of vaccination:

• from your GP or Health and Social Care Trust
• at the location you were vaccinated
• in Scotland, through the COVID-19 vaccination helpline or an online customer service portal
• in Northern Ireland, from your GP or Health and Social Care Trust

Harassment related to vaccine certificates, visas and work permits  

South Sudan’s security services have harassed, detained and expelled foreign nationals, including non-governmental organisation staff and journalists, when they enter or leave Juba airport. These incidents are often linked to proof of yellow fever vaccination, and visa and work permit issues. Make sure you have the correct visa and any required work permit.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of South Sudan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Contact the South Sudanese Embassy in the UK for information.

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of South Sudan. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty. Contact the South Sudanese Embassy in the UK for information.

Emergency services in South Sudan

There are no central emergency numbers in South Sudan.

Contact your travel provider and insurer

Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from FCDO.

Contact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do. 

Refunds and changes to travel

For refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.

Find out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:

• where to get advice if you are in a dispute with a provider
• how to access previous versions of travel advice to support a claim

Support from FCDO

FCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:

• finding English-speaking lawyers in South Sudan
• dealing with a death in South Sudan
• being arrested or imprisoned in South Sudan
• being a victim of rape or sexual assault in South Sudan
• getting help if you’re a victim of crime
• what to do if you’re in hospital
• if you’re affected by a crisis, such as a terrorist attack

Contacting FCDO 

Help abroad  

See how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency. 

Help in the UK  

You can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.  

Telephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)  

Find out about call charges

Get travel advice updates  

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.  

Follow FCDO: 

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

FCDO advises against all travel to South Sudan

FCDO advises against all travel to South Sudan due to the risk of armed violence and criminality.

See more about safety and security in South Sudan.

Political and security situation

The political and security situation remains unpredictable. Political tensions are high and the security situation across the country could deteriorate rapidly and unpredictably.  

If the unstable security situation deteriorates, routes into and out of South Sudan may be blocked. Juba airport may close or be inaccessible. Flights may be cancelled at short notice. 

Regional developments may also affect international transport. For example, in 2019 and 2023, events in Sudan caused South Sudan’s airspace to close temporarily.

Consular assistance to British nationals is severely limited in South Sudan. In person consular assistance is not available.

If you are in South Sudan

FCDO continues to advise against all travel to South Sudan. If you choose to remain in South Sudan, you do so at your own risk. You should have a personal emergency plan that does not rely on the UK government. This includes the ability to leave the country or to shelter in place, if you judge that to be the safer choice. Make sure to keep all travel documentation up to date, stock up on essential supplies, and monitor the local situation.  

You should not assume that FCDO will be able to provide assistance to leave the country in the event of serious unrest or crisis.

If there is civil disorder, stay somewhere safe and limit your movements as much as possible. Avoid all protests, political rallies and large gatherings, and follow the instructions of local authorities and security services.

Travel insurance

If you choose to travel, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.

About FCDO travel advice

FCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.

Get travel advice updates

Sign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated. 

Follow FCDO:   

• travel advice on X

• travel advice on Facebook

• Travel Aware on Instagram

Laws and cultural differences

Personal ID

Police can ask to see photo ID. Always carry a colour copy of your passport with you.

Illegal drugs penalties

There are severe penalties for using or trafficking drugs in South Sudan, including the death penalty and life imprisonment.

Using cameras

Do not take photographs close to government buildings, military installations, bridges, airports, public utilities (including petrol stations) and other sensitive areas. Plainclothes public security officers operate in Juba and across South Sudan.

LGBT+ travellers

Same-sex relationships are not culturally accepted. Same-sex sexual activity between men is illegal and punishable by a prison sentence of up to 14 years. LGBT+ travellers are at risk of discrimination and violence.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

Money

International credit and debit cards are not widely accepted, although some of the newer hotels and supermarkets are starting to.

ATMs are hard to find, and it is often not possible to use international cards. You can use your credit or debit card to withdraw money in some supermarkets. Bring large denomination US dollars (clean, unblemished notes dated 2017 onwards). Dollars are acceptable currency in many places, but shops and restaurants are likely to refuse notes that are marked in any way.