Pakistan and Sudan Sign Visa-Free Travel Deal for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
Pakistan and Sudan have signed an agreement allowing holders of official and diplomatic passports to travel between the two countries without a visa.
The agreement was signed in Islamabad on Saturday, 7 November 2026, by Pakistan’s Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi and his Sudanese counterpart, Lieutenant General Babiker Samra Mustafa Ali. Under the deal, holders of valid diplomatic and official passports from either country can enter the other’s territory without obtaining a visa first.
Naqvi described the agreement as “an important milestone in bilateral relations between Pakistan and Sudan”, according to The Express Tribune.
The deal does not cover ordinary passport holders. Pakistanis travelling to Sudan on a regular passport will still need a visa, and the same applies to Sudanese citizens visiting Pakistan.
The two sides also agreed to expand cooperation beyond travel. They decided to sign a memorandum of understanding to work together against cybercrime, and to deepen cooperation in security, police training and civil registration, according to Geo News and Aaj News.
Why it matters
Visa-free deals for diplomats and officials may sound small, but they matter because they make it easier for governments to talk to each other. Official visits, joint meetings and exchange of delegations all become simpler when ministers and senior officials do not have to wait for visas.
For Pakistan, the agreement is part of a wider pattern. Pakistan has signed similar visa-free arrangements with several countries in recent years to make official travel easier. For Sudan, which is in the middle of a devastating civil war, closer ties with Pakistan — including cooperation on security and police training — could help its government as it tries to rebuild state institutions.
What happens next
The two interior ministries will now work on putting the agreement into practice, including the start date and any procedures at airports and border posts. No effective date has been announced yet.
The planned cybercrime memorandum of understanding is the next step to watch. Once signed, it should show in practical terms how the two countries plan to share information and work together against online crime.
Sources
- Dawn, “Pakistan, Sudan sign visa-free travel agreement for official, diplomatic passport holders”, 7 November 2026: https://www.dawn.com/news/2042807/pakistan-sudan-sign-visa-free-travel-agreement-for-official-diplomatic-passport-holders
- The Express Tribune, “Pakistan, Sudan sign visa-free travel agreement for official, diplomatic passport holders”, 7 November 2026: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2639133/pakistan-sudan-sign-visa-free-travel-agreement-for-official-diplomatic-passport-holders
- Geo News, “Pakistan, Sudan sign visa-free travel agreement, agree to boost cooperation”, 7 November 2026: https://www.geo.tv/latest/690173-pakistan-sudan-sign-visa-free-travel-agreement-agree-to-boost-cooperation
- Aaj English TV, “Pakistan, Sudan sign visa-free pact for official, diplomatic passport holders”, 7 November 2026: https://english.aaj.tv/news/330479759/pakistan-sudan-sign-visa-free-pact-for-official-diplomatic-passport-holders
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
