Sudan

Investor Residence Permit

Sudan's Investor Residence Permit is the country's immigration pathway for foreign investors who establish and operate licensed investment projects. Established under the Investment (Encouragement) Act, 2021 (issued 11 April 2021), residence is granted under Article 21, which provides that non-Sudanese investors shall receive residence throughout the duration of their investment project. The permit is administered through the Ministry of Investment's Single Window system, which coordinates all investment-related procedures — including residence permit applications — by bringing together representatives from Passports, Customs, Taxation, Labour, and sector-specific ministries. Foreign investors must deposit a minimum of USD 250,000 as earnest money before the investment licence is issued.

Important: Sudan has been engulfed in armed conflict since April 2023. Government services, including the Ministry of Investment and the Single Window system, have been severely disrupted. The government announced a gradual return to Khartoum in January 2026, but practical investment operations remain significantly impacted. Several countries maintain travel advisories against travel to Sudan.

• Non-Sudanese natural or legal person
• Obtain an investment licence from the Ministry of Investment under the Investment (Encouragement) Act, 2021
• Minimum USD 250,000 earnest money deposit, transferred via external bank transfer in USD or other Central Bank of Sudan-approved foreign currencies
• Submit a technical and economic feasibility study demonstrating project viability
• Investment must be in approved sectors (certain sectors on the Special Investment List are restricted or excluded from foreign participation)
• No specific educational or professional qualifications required — eligibility is based on the investment project's viability

For the investment licence:

• Completed Ministry of Investment application form (investor name, address, nationality, type of investment, field of activity)
• Technical and economic feasibility study
• Proof of minimum USD 250,000 earnest money deposit via external bank transfer
• Corporate formation documents
• Description of capital to be invested
• Specifications of local and imported raw materials
• Technical specifications of the project
• Timetable for project execution
• Estimates of local and foreign workforce

For the residence licence:

• Valid passport
• Approved investment licence from the Ministry of Investment
• Additional documentation as required by the Directorate of Passports and Immigration

Invested money under the Act encompasses:

• Local or foreign convertible currency converted through Central Bank-registered institutions
• Physical assets including machinery, equipment, and imported materials
• Intellectual property rights (patents, trademarks, copyrights)
• Reinvested profits from existing operations

Investment may take the form of sole ownership, a partnership, or a foreign company branch. The government encourages foreign investors to engage with a Sudanese partner when entering the market.

Residence is granted for the duration of the investment project as specified in the investment licence. The investment licence is valid for 3 years, renewable upon satisfying information requirements under Article 23. Failure to implement the project within the three-year licence period results in automatic cancellation and removal of all privileges, including the right of residence.

Non-Sudanese investors may obtain work permits and residence licences for themselves and their families throughout the term of execution and operation of the investment project. Dependant applications are processed through the Directorate of Passports and Immigration under the Passports and Immigration Act 1994.

The Act provides significant tax incentives under Article 20:

• Five-year exemption from business profits tax from the date of commercial production
• Strategic projects may receive up to a 10-year exemption
• Customs duty exemptions on capital equipment imports and specialised transport vehicles
• VAT exemption on capital equipment per the approved Ministry list
• Right to repatriate profits and financing costs in the original currency
• Invested capital may be repatriated if the project does not commence
• All tax exemptions extend through the capital recovery period per approved feasibility studies

1. Single Window application: Submit the investment licence application to the Ministry of Investment Single Window for federal/national projects, or to the State Ministry for state-level projects. The statutory timeframe for determination is a maximum of 30 days from submission.
2. Earnest money deposit: Upon preliminary approval, deposit the minimum USD 250,000 via external bank transfer before the licence is formally granted.
3. Company registration: Register the company under Sudanese commercial law through the Commercial Registrar and obtain a company seal.
4. Residence licence: The investment licence triggers the right to investor residence. The Single Window coordinates with the Directorate of Passports and Immigration for residence permit processing.
5. Tax exemption commencement: After the enterprise becomes operational, the investor may request the commencement of tax and customs exemption periods.

Foreign nationals must hold a valid visa to enter Sudan. A business visa is typically used for initial entry to establish the investment project.

Links

• https://investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-laws/laws/334/sudan-the-investment-act
• https://sudanembassy.org/invest-in-sudan/
• https://sudanembassy.de/index.php/investment-law

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