State Department adds Sudan to the Homeless Nationalities list

The U.S. State Department has designated Sudanese nationals as “homeless nationals” and directed them to apply for immigrant visas in Cairo, Egypt.

Key Points:

• Sudanese nationals who are physically present in Sudan should apply for immigrant visas and schedule visa appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Cairo.
• Sudanese nationals who are physically present in the U.S. can apply for adjustment of status with the Department of Homeland Security and do not require visa processing abroad.
• Sudanese nationals who are physically present in a third country can apply for an immigrant visa in that country, provided they can remain in the country legally for the duration of the application process.

Additional Information: The State Department adds countries to the Homeless Nationalities list when the U.S. has no consular representation in a country or when the political or security situation is tenuous or uncertain enough that staff is not authorized to process immigrant visa applications. Consular services in Sudan have been unavailable since April after the U.S. suspended its operations in the country due to the armed conflict.

There are currently 10 other countries whose nationals are on the Homeless Nationalities list: Eritrea, Iran, Libya, Russia, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela and Yemen. A full list of counties and their designated immigrant visa processing posts is available here.

BAL Analysis: Visa services in Sudan are unavailable at this time; Sudanese visa applicants should follow the State Department’s guidance. BAL will continue to monitor the situation in Sudan and will provide updates on significant developments.

This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.

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