Moving to South Sudan: visas, cost of living & immigrant guide

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Population

10,561,244

Population Growth Rate

4.23%

Urban Population

18.000000

Population in Major Urban Areas

JUBA (capital) 269,000

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Age Structure

44.860000

Median Age

16.600000

Birth Rate - births/1,000 population

8

Death Rate - deaths/1,000 population

8.7

Total Fertility Rate - children born/woman

5.54

Contraceptive Prevalance Rate - female 12-49

3.5%

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate - female 12-49

3.5%

Sex Ratio at Birth - male/female

0.000000

Net Migration Rate - migrant(s)/1,000 population

12.5

Ethnic Groups

Dinka, Kakwa, Bari, Azande, Shilluk, Kuku, Murle, Mandari, Didinga, Ndogo, Bviri, Lndi, Anuak, Bongo, Lango, Dungotona, Acholi

Nationality Noun

South Sudanese (singular and plural)

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Literacy - total population

27%

Literacy - male

40%

Literacy - female

16%

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Total School Life Expectancy - (primary to tertiary)

0.000000

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Life Expectancy at Birth

0.000000

Infant Mortality Rate

69.970000

Infant Mortality Rate - total deaths/1,000 live births

69.970000

Maternal Mortality Rate - deaths/100,000 live births

2,054

Physicians Density - physicians/1,000 population

.28

Major Infectious Diseases - degree of risk

very high

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

6%

Drinking Water Source - percent of urban population improved

63.400000

Sanitation Facility Access - percent of urban population improved

15.700000

Underweight - percent of children under five years

32.5%

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Economic Overview

Industry and infrastructure in landlocked South Sudan are severely underdeveloped and poverty is widespread, following several decades of civil war with Sudan.

Continued fighting within the new nation is disrupting what remains of the economy.

The vast majority of the population is dependent on subsistence agriculture and humanitarian assistance.

Property rights are insecure and price signals are weak, because markets are not well-organized.

South Sudan has little infrastructure – about 10,000 kilometers of roads, but just 2% of them paved.

Electricity is produced mostly by costly diesel generators, and indoor plumbing and potable water are scarce, so less than 2% of the population has access to electricity.

About 90% of consumed goods, capital, and services are imported from neighboring countries – mainly Uganda, Kenya and Sudan.

Chinese investment plays a growing role in the infrastructure and energy sectors.

Nevertheless, South Sudan does have abundant natural resources.

South Sudan holds one of the richest agricultural areas in Africa, with fertile soils and abundant water supplies.

Currently the region supports 10-20 million head of cattle.

At independence in 2011, South Sudan produced nearly three-fourths of former Sudan's total oil output of nearly a half million barrels per day.

The Government of South Sudan relies on oil for the vast majority of its budget revenues, although oil production has fallen sharply since independence.

South Sudan is one of the most oil-dependent countries in the world, with 98% of the government’s annual operating budget and 80% of its gross domestic product (GDP) derived from oil.

Oil is exported through a pipeline that runs to refineries and shipping facilities at Port Sudan on the Red Sea.

The economy of South Sudan will remain linked to Sudan for some time, given the existing oil infrastructure.

The outbreak of conflict in December 2013, combined with falling crude oil production and prices, meant that GDP fell significantly between 2014 and 2017.

Since the second half of 2017 oil production has risen, and is currently about 130,000 barrels per day.

Poverty and food insecurity has risen due to displacement of people caused by the conflict.

With famine spreading, 66% of the population in South Sudan is living on less than about $2 a day, up from 50.6% in 2009, according to the World Bank.

About 80% of the population lives in rural areas, with agriculture, forestry and fishing providing the livelihood for a majority of the households.

Much of rural sector activity is focused on low-input, low-output subsistence agriculture.

South Sudan is burdened by considerable debt because of increased military spending and high levels of government corruption.

Economic mismanagement is prevalent.

Civil servants, including police and the military, are not paid on time, creating incentives to engage in looting and banditry.

South Sudan has received more than $11 billion in foreign aid since 2005, largely from the US, the UK, and the EU.

Inflation peaked at over 800% per year in October 2016 but dropped to 118% in 2017.

The government has funded its expenditures by borrowing from the central bank and foreign sources, using forward sales of oil as collateral.

The central bank’s decision to adopt a managed floating exchange rate regime in December 2015 triggered a 97% depreciation of the currency and spawned a growing black market.

Long-term challenges include rooting out public sector corruption, improving agricultural productivity, alleviating poverty and unemployment, improving fiscal transparency - particularly in regard to oil revenues, taming inflation, improving government revenues, and creating a rules-based business environment.

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-5.3%

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GDP - Gross Domestic Product (PPP)

$20,010,000,000 (USD)

GDP Per Capita

$2,000.00 (USD)

GDP - real growth rate

-5.3%

GDP - official exchange rate

$12,880,000,000 (USD)

GDP - composition, by end use

• consumption: 34.9% government
• consumption: 17.1% investment in fixed
• capital: 10.4% exports of goods and
• services: 64.9% imports of goods and
• services: -27.2%

Inflation Rate

1.7%

Currency Name and Code

South Sudanese Pound

Agriculture Products

sorghum, maize, rice, millet, wheat, gum arabic, sugarcane, mangoes, papayas, bananas, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, cotton, sesame seeds, cassava (manioc, tapioca), beans, peanuts; cattle, sheep

Population Below Poverty Line

50.6%

Annual Budget

$437,000,000 (USD)

Budget Surplus or Deficit - percent of GDP

-15.5%

Taxes and other revenues - percent of GDP

3.7%

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Full Country Name

Republic of South Sudan

Country Name

South Sudan

Etymology- history of name

self-descriptive name from the country's former position within Sudan prior to independence; the name "Sudan" derives from the Arabic "bilad-as-sudan" meaning "Land of the Black [peoples]"

Independence

9 July 2011 (from Sudan)

National Holiday

Independence Day, 9 July (2011)

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Government Type

presidential republic

Constitution

• history: previous 2005 (preindependence); latest signed 7 July 2011, effective 9 July 2011 (Transitional Constitution of the Republic of South Sudan, 2011); note - new constitution pending establishment under the 2018 peace agreement
• amendments: proposed by the National Legislature or by the president of the republic; passage requires submission of the proposal to the Legislature at least one month prior to consideration, approval by at least two-thirds majority vote in both houses of the Legislature, and assent of the president; amended 2013, 2015, 2018

Executive Branch:

• chief of state: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice Presidents Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon, TABAN Deng Gai, James Wani IGGA, Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior, Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (all since 22 February 2020); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
• head of government: President Salva KIIR Mayardit (since 9 July 2011); Vice Presidents Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon, TABAN Deng Gai, James Wani IGGA, Rebecca Nyandeng Chol GARANG de Mabior, Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii (all since 22 February 2020)
• cabinet: National Council of Ministers appointed by the president, approved by the Transitional National Legislative Assembly
• elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 11 to 15 April 2010 (originally scheduled for 2015 but postponed several times, currently to be held in December 2024)
• election results: 2010: Salva KIIR Mayardit elected leader of then-Southern Sudan; percent of vote - Salva KIIR Mayardit (SPLM) 93%, Lam AKOL (SPLM-DC) 7%

Legislative Branch:

• Description: bicameral National Legislature consists of: Council of States, pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace deal Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), established on 4 August 2016, in accordance with the August 2015 Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan;
• Note: originally 400 seats; the TNLA was expanded to 550 members from 400 and reestablished in May 2020 under the 2018 peace agreement
• Elections: Council of States - pending establishment as stipulated by the 2018 peace deal Transitional National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - 332 SPLM, 128 SPLM-IO, 90 other political parties;
• Composition: NA
• Election Results: Council of States - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 20, unknown 30; composition as of February 2024 - men 57, women 27, percentage women 32.1% National Legislative Assembly - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - SPLM 251, DCP 10, independent 6, unknown 133;
• Composition: men 372, women 178, percentage women 32.4%; total National Legislature percentage women 32.3%

Judicial Branch:

• office: justices appointed by the president (the 2011 Transitional Constitution of South Sudan calls for the establishment of a Judicial Service Council to recommend prospective justices to the president, and for the justices' tenures to be set by the National Legislature; neither of these steps have been effectively implemented as of mid-2023)
• subordinate courts: national level - Courts of Appeal; High Courts; County Courts; state level - High Courts; County Courts; customary courts; other specialized courts and tribunals
• Note: in mid-2022, the Government of South Sudan inaugurated an Ad-hoc Judiciary Committee, a 12-member body led by two eminent jurists, which is charged with reviewing relevant laws, advising on judicial reform and restructuring of the judiciary

Regions or States:

• Summary: 10 states
• Central Equatoria
• Eastern Equatoria
• Jonglei
• Lakes
• Northern Bahr el Ghazal
• Unity
• Upper Nile
• Warrap
• Western Bahr el Ghazal
• Western Equatoria; note - in 2015
• the creation of 28 new states was announced and in 2017 four additional states; following the February 2020 peace agreement
• the country was again reorganized into the 10 original states
• plus 2 administrative areas
• Pibor and Ruweng
• and 1 special administrative status area
• Abyei (which is disputed between South Sudan and Sudan); this latest administrative revision has not yet been vetted by the US Board on Geographic Names

Political Parties and Leaders:

• Democratic Change or DC Democratic Forum or DF Labour Party or LPSS [Federico Awi VUNI]
• South Sudan Opposition Alliance or SSOA [Hussein ABDELBAGI Ayii]
• Sudan African National Union or SANU [Toby MADOUT]
• Sudan People's Liberation Movement or SPLM [Salva KIIR Mayardit]
• Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-In Opposition or SPLM-IO [Riek MACHAR Teny Dhurgon]
• United Democratic Salvation Front or UDSF United South Sudan African Party or USSAP [Louis Pasquale ALEU, Secretary]
• United South Sudan Party or USSP [Paulino LUKUDU Obede]

Suffrage:

18 years of age; universal

Citizenship Criteria:

• birth: no citizenship by descent
• only: at least one parent must be a citizen of South Sudan dual citizenship
• recognized: yes residency requirement for
• naturalization: 10 years

Capital Name

Juba

Capital - geographic coordinate

04 51 N 31 37 E

Capital Time Difference

UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

International Organization Participation:

• AU
• EAC
• FAO
• G-77
• IBRD
• ICAO
• IDA
• IFAD
• IFC
• IFRCS
• IGAD
• ILO
• IMF
• Interpol
• IOM
• IPU
• ITU
• MIGA
• UN
• UNCTAD
• UNESCO
• UPU
• WCO
• WHO
• WMO

Diplomatic Representation from US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador Michael J. ADLER (since 24 August 2022)
• Embassy: Kololo Road adjacent to the EU's compound, Juba
• Mailing Address: 4420 Juba Place, Washington DC 20521-4420
• Telephone: [211] 912-105-188
• Email: ACSJuba@state.gov
• Website: https://ss.usembassy.gov/

Diplomatic Representation in the US:

• Chief of Mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Angong ACUIL (since 13 December 2023)
• Chancery: 1015 31st Street NW, Suite 300, Washington, DC 20007
• Telephone: [1] (202) 600-2238
• FAX: [1] (202) 644-9910
• Email: info.ssdembassy@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.southsudanembassyusa.org/

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Geographic Location

Africa

Geographic Coordinates

8 00 N, 30 00 E

Total Area

248,775 Square Miles 644,329 Square Kilometers

Land Boundaries

3,363 Miles 5,413 Kilometers

Border Countries

• Central African Republic 989 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 639 km, Ethiopia 934 km, Kenya 232 km, Sudan 2,184 km, Uganda 435 km note: South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment
• final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation
• final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan

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Terrain

• the terrain gradually rises from plains in the north and center to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya
• the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country supporting agriculture and extensive wild animal populations
• The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country

Highest Point

3,187 Meters

Highest Point Location

Kinyeti

Natural Resources

hydropower, fertile agricultural land, gold, diamonds, petroleum, hardwoods, limestone, iron ore, copper, chromium ore, zinc, tungsten, mica, silver

Time Zone

UTC+2 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

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Climate

hot with seasonal rainfall influenced by the annual shift of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

rainfall is heaviest in the upland areas of the south and diminishes to the north

Terrain

• the terrain gradually rises from plains in the north and center to southern highlands along the border with Uganda and Kenya
• the White Nile, flowing north out of the uplands of Central Africa, is the major geographic feature of the country supporting agriculture and extensive wild animal populations
• The Sudd (a name derived from floating vegetation that hinders navigation) is a large swampy area of more than 100,000 sq km fed by the waters of the White Nile that dominates the center of the country

Location

East-Central Africa; south of Sudan, north of Uganda and Kenya, west of Ethiopia

Total Area

248,775 Square Miles 644,329 Square Kilometers

Border Countries

• Central African Republic 989 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 639 km, Ethiopia 934 km, Kenya 232 km, Sudan 2,184 km, Uganda 435 km note: South Sudan-Sudan boundary represents 1 January 1956 alignment
• final alignment pending negotiations and demarcation
• final sovereignty status of Abyei Area pending negotiations between South Sudan and Sudan

Exports

$0 (USD)

Imports

$0 (USD)

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Country Description

• e-mail: Kenya_acs@state.gov ] is available to assist U.S. citizens in South Sudan who need assistance; in an emergency, contact the U.S. Embassy in Juba (Tel.: 211-955-456-050). If you seek information about U.S. citizens services in South Sudan from the Directorate of Overseas Citizens Services in Washington, please
• email: SouthSudanEmergencyUSC@state.gov. South Sudan’s independence came after many years of civil war between forces in the south and the Government of Sudan. Despite the signing of numerous agreements in September 2012 regarding oil transport, border security, economic and financial matters, a safe demilitarized border zone, and the final status of disputed areas, the relationship between the two countries remains fragile. South Sudan is one of the world’s least developed countries. Its economy relies largely on revenues from oil exports and trade with its neighbor, Sudan. Oil production stopped in January 2012 following a dispute with Sudan over transit fees, further reducing the country’s foreign reserves considerably and forcing it further into debt. Production of oil in South Sudan resumed in April 2013. The Security Council established the United Nations Mission in the Republic of South Sudan (UNMISS) under a Chapter VII mandate in 2011. UNMISS consists of approximately 7,600 uniformed staff, 900 international civilian staff, 1,300 local civilian staff, and 400 UN Volunteers. Numerous UN agencies and non-governmental organizations provide humanitarian and development assistance. A recent UNSC resolution authorized 5,500 additional peacekeepers and 423 additional police. Electricity, telephone, and telecommunications, roads, and other forms of infrastructure are unreliable or sparse in many areas. Civilian institutions, including the criminal justice system, are rudimentary and not presently functioning at a level consistent with international standards. There are no government services available in many parts of the country. South Sudan operates as a cash economy, and tourist facilities are limited throughout the country.

Safety & Security

A dispute between government security forces in Juba on December 16 rapidly escalated into armed conflict and spread to other cities.

The government is not at this time in full control of the territory of South Sudan and insecurity is widespread.

In addition to South Sudan’s internal conflict, care should be exercised in border states between South Sudan and Sudan where tensions exist due to the long, undemarcated border.

The Government of South Sudan has limited capacity to deter crime or provide security to travelers, especially outside the capital city of Juba.

The U.S.

Embassy in Juba has implemented measures to protect U.S. government personnel living and working in South Sudan.

These include requiring U.S. government personnel to travel in armored government vehicles at night, and to obtain advance permission for travel outside of Juba.

As a result of the deteriorating security situation, the Department of State ordered the departure of most remaining U.S. government personnel from South Sudan on January 3, 2014.

Similar measures are followed by the United Nations peacekeeping mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) and some non-governmental organizations with operations in South Sudan.

Land mines remain a hazard in South Sudan, especially outside of Juba.

Visitors should travel only on main roads, unless a competent de-mining authority has marked an area as clear of mines.

The Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including emergency assistance, in South Sudan is severely limited.

Many areas of South Sudan are extremely difficult to access, and travel in these areas is sometimes hazardous.

Less than 300 kilometers of paved roads exist in the country, which is the size of France.

The infrastructure is extremely poor, and medical care is not always available or is very basic.

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Crime

High unemployment and severe economic downturn have encouraged criminal activity.

Following an increase in security-related incidents in Juba, the government-imposed a curfew of 6:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

U.S. embassy is observing this curfew to better ensure the safety of its personnel.

You should try to avoid crowded public areas and public gatherings, and avoid traveling alone if possible.

Report all incidents of crime to the South Sudanese police.

Carjackings and banditry occur in South Sudan.

Travel outside of Juba should be undertaken with a minimum of two vehicles so that there is a backup in case of mechanical failure or other emergency.

Do not buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available.

Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in South Sudan, you are subject to its laws, even if you are a U.S. citizen.

You may be questioned or detained by police if you don’t have your passport with you.

South Sudan’s security services commit arbitrary arrests and often detain foreign nationals, including U.S. citizens.

The country’s legal system is rudimentary and sometimes ineffective.

U.S. citizens may have little recourse to justice should they be detained and legal proceedings can be lengthy and seemingly subjective.

Contractual and other business disputes with local partners may not be resolved in a manner that is consistent with international practices and judicial fairness.

Security forces often operate outside civilian control, and do not always follow laws governing due process and treatment of detainees.

If you break local laws in South Sudan, your U.S. passport will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not while you’re in South Sudan.

Penalties for breaking the law may be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses.

Persons violating South Sudan’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods.Engaging in sexual conduct with persons under the age of 18 or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States.

Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and international law, if you are arrested in South Sudan, you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.

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.

That said, security officials rarely contact the U.S. embassy in Juba when U.S. citizens are detained.

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Medical Facilities

Persons with conditions which may require medical treatment are strongly discouraged from traveling to South Sudan.

Medical facilities in Juba fall far short of western standards; outside the capital, few hospitals exist; hospitals and clinics are often poorly equipped and staffed.

If you need medical treatment, you must pay cash in advance for it.

Ambulance services are not available outside Juba.

Not all medicines are regularly available; you should carry sufficient supplies of needed medicines in clearly-marked containers.

Routine immunizations and vaccinations for diseases such as yellow fever, rabies, polio, meningitis, typhoid, and hepatitis A and B are recommended.

Malaria is prevalent in all areas of South Sudan.

The strain is resistant to chloroquine and can be fatal.

Consult a health practitioner before traveling, obtain suitable anti-malarial drugs, and use protective measures, such as insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito nets.

If you become ill with a fever or a flu-like illness while in South Sudan, or within a year after departure, you should promptly seek medical care and inform your physician of your travel history and the kind of anti-malarial drugs used.

For additional information about malaria and anti-malarial drugs, please see the Center for Disease Control information on malaria.

Polio cases have recently been reported in the country again after an absence since 2009.

Traffic Safety

While in South Sudan, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States.

The following information is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.

Road conditions throughout South Sudan are hazardous due to erratic driver behavior, pedestrians and animals in the roadways, and vehicles that are overloaded or lack basic safety equipment.

There are very few paved roads in South Sudan; most roads are narrow, rutted, and poorly maintained.

Local drivers often do not observe conventions for the right-of-way, stop on the road without warning, and frequently exceed safe speeds for road, traffic, and weather conditions.

Driving at night can be dangerous because of the lack of street lights throughout the country.

Roads in South Sudan are often impassable during the rainy season, from March or April to October or November.

Take spare tires, parts, and fuel with you when traveling in remote areas, as service stations are separated by long distances.

U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling, including traffic laws.

In South Sudan, vehicles have the steering wheel on the left side and drivers use the right side of the road.

Many local drivers carry no insurance despite the legal requirement that all motor vehicle operators purchase third-party liability insurance from the government.

Persons involved in an accident resulting in death or injury must report the incident to the nearest police station or police officer as soon as possible.

Persons found at fault can expect fines, revocation of driving privileges, and jail sentences, depending on the nature and extent of the accident.

Persons convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol face fines, jail sentences, and corporal punishment.

There are no restrictions on vehicle types, including motorcycles and motorized tricycles.

Public transportation is by small buses, vans, or taxis, and is limited to within and between major towns.

Many drivers of these vehicles have little training and are reckless, and the vehicles are often poorly maintained.

Passenger facilities are basic and crowded.

Schedules are unpublished and subject to change without notice.

Travelers are encouraged to hire cars and drivers from reputable sources with qualified drivers and safe vehicles.

While there is some public transit to rural communities by irregularly scheduled mini-buses, many areas lack any public transportation.

You should be extremely careful in crossing roads in South Sudan.

Crosswalks do not exist, and incidents of cars striking pedestrians are common.

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Airports - total

85

Airports with Paved Runways

83

Heliports

1

Railways

154 Miles 248 Kilometers

Roadways- total

4,350 Miles 7,000 Kilometers

Internet Country Code

.ss

Broadcast Media

• TV is controlled by the government
• several private FM stations are operational in South Sudan
• some foreign radio broadcasts are available

Telephone System

international: country code - 211

Natural Gas Reserves- Cubic Meters (cu m)

63,710,000,000

Oil Reserves- Barrels Per Day (bbl/day)

3,750,000,000

Anthem History

collective of 49 poets/Juba University students and teachers. Adopted 2011, the anthem was selected in a national contest.