Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Sudan, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different from our own. Persons violating Sudanese laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Sudan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Sudan, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport with you or if you take pictures of certain buildings. In Sudan, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in Sudan, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States and if you purchase them in a foreign country, you may be breaking local law as well. 

Arrest notifications in Sudan: While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in that country, others may not. Sudanese authorities often fail to notify the U.S. Embassy of the arrest of a U.S. citizen. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas. Even if notified, the U.S. Embassy is often not allowed access to arrested/detained U.S. citizens in Sudan.

Dual-nationals must be aware that the Sudanese government may not recognize your U.S. citizenship, and if detained/arrested, you may be prosecuted as a Sudanese national.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: In November 1997, the United States imposed comprehensive financial and commercial sanctions on Sudan. Travelers intending to visit Sudan should contact the Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), Office of Compliance, telephone 1-800-540-6322 or 202-622-2490, regarding the effect of these sanctions.

You must be prepared to pay cash for all purchases, including hotel bills, airfares purchased locally, and all other travel expenses. Major credit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, and  American Express, cannot be used in Sudan due to U.S. sanctions. Sudan has no international ATMs. Local ATMs draw on local banks only.

Exchanging money on the black market is illegal. U.S. currency issued prior to 1996 is generally not accepted anywhere in Sudan, and $100 bills must be issued after 2006. Travelers often experience difficulty transferring cash into the country, and travelers carrying large amounts of U.S. currency have been detained. Western Union operates in Khartoum.

Sudan is a conservative society, particularly in the capital and other areas where the Muslim population is the majority. Modest dress and behavior is expected for both men and women. Loose, long-sleeved shirts and full-length skirts or slacks are recommended attire for female visitors. Women who are not Muslim are not expected or required to cover their heads. Men may wear short-sleeved shirts, but short pants are not acceptable in public.

If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for women travelers.

LGBT RIGTHS: Sudanese law prohibits consensual same-sex sexual relations. Penalties include death; however, there are no recent reports of this law being enforced. A few LGBT organizations operate in Khartoum but cannot openly identify as LGBT entities, and the LGBT community is subject to harassment and is unable to seek legal protection. Anti-discrimination laws do not apply to LGBT persons. Official discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity occurs. Societal discrimination against LGBT persons is widespread. Vigilantes target suspected gay men and lesbians for violent abuse, and there are public demonstrations against homosexuality. There are no reports of official action to investigate or punish those complicit in LGBT-related abuses. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Sudan you may review the State Department’s annual Country Reports on Human Rights Practices. For further information on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) travel, please read our LGBT travel information page.

ACCESSIBILITY: While in Sudan, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from in the United States. Sudan does not mandate access to transportation, communications, or public buildings for persons with disabilities. It is very difficult for persons with physical disabilities of any kind to travel in Sudan.