Sudanese Expats in Colombia — Visa, Health Insurance & Legalization Guide 2026 | CoVisas Colombia

Sudan at a Glance

Why Sudanese Nationals Are Moving to Colombia

The civil war that erupted in Sudan in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has triggered one of the world's most acute humanitarian crises, displacing millions inside Sudan and forcing hundreds of thousands to seek safety abroad. While Egypt, Chad, and South Sudan have absorbed the majority of internally displaced and refugee populations, a segment of Sudanese diaspora members — professionals, students, and business owners who had already been living in Europe, North America, or the Gulf — have looked toward Colombia as a stable, affordable, and welcoming destination in which to rebuild their lives. Colombia's growing expat community and relatively accessible legal migration pathways make it an increasingly realistic option for Sudanese nationals with internationally portable skills.

Sudan historically had a highly educated professional class, particularly in engineering, medicine, law, and academia. Many Sudanese professionals trained in Egypt, UK, Canada, or Gulf countries are now exploring Colombia as a base for remote work, small business development, or long-term residence. Medellín's innovation ecosystem and Bogotá's diverse international community offer integration pathways, while Colombia's ACNUR (UNHCR) office and IOM actively work to facilitate refugee and asylum-seeker applications from conflict-affected countries including Sudan.

Colombian Consular Representation for Sudanese Nationals

Visa Requirements for Sudanese Nationals Entering Colombia

Sudanese nationals must obtain a Colombian entry visa before traveling to Colombia. Additionally, under Article 8 of Resolución 5488 de 2022 (as modified by Resolución 3717 de 2023), Sudanese nationals are required to hold an Airport Transit Visa even when transiting through Colombian airports without leaving the international zone. Both the entry visa and the airport transit visa must be obtained at the Colombian Embassy in Nairobi (or the nearest Colombian diplomatic mission for Sudanese residing abroad) before departure. Sudanese nationals traveling on UNHCR refugee travel documents should verify their specific document's validity with the Embassy prior to applying.

Colombian Visa M — Official Fees 2026

SMMLV 2026 = COP 1,423,500. Verify current fees at cancilleria.gov.co before applying.

Health Insurance for Sudanese Nationals in Colombia

Sudan's Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH) infrastructure has been catastrophically disrupted by the civil war that began in April 2023. Hospitals in Khartoum have been bombed, occupied, or rendered inoperable, and MSF, ICRC, IRC, and WHO operate emergency medical missions across the country. Complex medical care has become inaccessible within most conflict zones; diaspora Sudanese seeking medical treatment typically travel to Cairo (Egypt), Nairobi (Kenya), or Amman (Jordan). The Sudanese Taxation Chamber's social security system — which historically funded some disability and retirement benefits — has effectively collapsed.

In Colombia, all Visa M holders must maintain valid health insurance for the duration of their stay. CoVisas Colombia's expat health plans cover all seven statutory categories required by Migración Colombia:

Tax Considerations for Sudanese Nationals in Colombia

Sudan's Taxation Chamber historically applied progressive income tax rates of up to 35% on Sudan-source income. However, due to the civil war that began in April 2023, formal tax collection has effectively collapsed in most areas of the country. The SAF and RSF each levy informal taxes in territories under their respective control, and the formal banking system is largely non-functional. The Sudanese economy has collapsed, with GDP contracting severely since the conflict began.

In Colombia, Sudanese nationals who become tax residents are subject to DIAN taxation on their worldwide income at progressive rates from 0% to 39%. There is no Double Taxation Convention (CDI) between Colombia and Sudan. Sudanese nationals with foreign savings (often held in Egyptian, Kenyan, or UAE bank accounts as a result of the conflict) should document the origin of funds carefully before transferring to Colombia, as DIAN and the UIAF may require proof of legitimate source. A Colombian contador público should be consulted before the first tax filing to correctly structure any Sudanese-source income declarations.

Document Legalization for Sudanese Nationals

Sudan is not a member of the Hague Apostille Convention. All official Sudanese documents require a full four-step diplomatic legalization chain. Given the ongoing civil war, all document processes in Sudan are severely disrupted — the emergency government operates from Port Sudan, and many authentication authorities have been displaced.

4-Step Legalization Chain (Non-Hague)

1. Notarization in Sudan: The document must be authenticated by a Sudanese notary or the relevant issuing authority. Given the war, this may only be possible in Port Sudan or other areas outside active conflict zones. For diaspora Sudanese, consult the Colombian Embassy in Nairobi for guidance on documents issued by Sudanese authorities abroad.
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Port Sudan, emergency seat): The notarized document is presented to the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, currently operating from Port Sudan, for country-level authentication. Processing times are unpredictable due to the conflict. Contact the Colombian Embassy in Nairobi for the most current procedure.
3. Embassy of Colombia in Nairobi (accredited for Sudan): The MoFA-authenticated document is presented to the Colombian Embassy in Nairobi for diplomatic legalization. Allow 5–15 business days; appointment required. Contact enairobi@cancilleria.gov.co for current procedures.
4. Certified Translation into Spanish: All legalized documents must be translated from Arabic into Spanish by a translator certified by the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. See the list at cancilleria.gov.co.