South Sudan at a glance
| Visit with an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) | No: a visitor visa is needed |
| E-1 treaty trader visa | Not available |
| E-2 treaty investor visa | Not available |
| Own line in the Visa Bulletin | No: worldwide line |
| Green card lottery (last published list, DV-2026) | Eligible |
| Entry restrictions | Full: most visas suspended |
| Temporary Protected Status (TPS) | Terminated |
| Where visas are processed | The U.S. Embassy in Juba no longer offers routine visa services; nonimmigrant applicants are directed to Kampala, Uganda (where visa operations are paused for Ebola) and immigrant visas to Nairobi, Kenya. |
Green card lottery: registration for DV-2027 had not opened as of mid-October 2026. A federal court ordered the State Department to open it, and that order may be appealed.
What is specific to South Sudan right now
- Under Proclamation 10998 (in effect as of October 2026), U.S. visa issuance to South Sudanese nationals is fully suspended for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visas, including spouses and children of U.S. citizens, with only narrow exceptions such as dual nationals traveling on another passport.
- TPS for South Sudan was terminated in November 2025, and in 2026 courts allowed the termination to take effect after the Supreme Court's Mullin v. Doe decision.
- A CDC Ebola order (extended through November 10, 2026) also bars most non-U.S. citizens who were in South Sudan in the previous 21 days from entering the United States.
Common U.S. immigration paths for people from South Sudan
AsylumProtection for people who fear persecution in their home countryRemoval defenseWhat to know if you have a case in immigration courtTPSTemporary protection for nationals of designated countriesRefugee/asylee familyBring your spouse and children to join you (Form I-730)Family petitionSponsor children, adult sons and daughters, or siblingsImmigration waiversForgiveness for unlawful presence, past removal and other bars
How MyUSVisa helps
- Answer a guided questionnaire in your language and upload your documents once — we read, sort and assemble them into a clear case file and timeline.
- Your organized case is offered to licensed U.S. immigration attorneys who handle this type of case. Interested attorneys send you offers, and you compare and choose — or don't.
- Once you choose, you and your attorney work in one place: messages, documents, deadlines and automatic USCIS status updates, on the web and in the mobile app.
Frequently asked questions
Can people from South Sudan visit the U.S. with an ESTA?
No. South Sudan is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so a visitor visa (B-1/B-2) from a U.S. embassy or consulate is usually needed.
Can people from South Sudan get an E-2 investor visa?
Not on South Sudan nationality alone: there is no E-2 treaty between South Sudan and the United States. Some people qualify through a second nationality from a treaty country, or use other paths such as EB-5.
Can people from South Sudan enter the green card lottery?
South Sudan was eligible in the last published program (DV-2026). Eligibility is set again every year, so check the official instructions when registration opens.
Where do people from South Sudan have their visa interview?
The U.S. Embassy in Juba no longer offers routine visa services; nonimmigrant applicants are directed to Kampala, Uganda (where visa operations are paused for Ebola) and immigrant visas to Nairobi, Kenya.
Can I work with a U.S. attorney while I am still in South Sudan?
Yes. MyUSVisa works online: you tell your story from anywhere, licensed U.S. immigration attorneys review it and send proposals, and you choose. This works before you travel or once you are already in the United States.
More countries in Africa
Last checked by the MyUSVisa team and counsel in October 2026. Country rules change often, especially entry restrictions, TPS and parole programs. Always verify on travel.state.gov and uscis.gov, or ask your attorney.
MyUSVisa is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. Not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency.