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UK Updates Country Policy and Information Note on Humanitarian Situation in Sudan for Asylum and Human Rights Applicatio

🇬🇧 United KingdomAsylum1 recorded versionLast change 7 Sept 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

The Home Office's updated assessment states that the humanitarian situation in Sudan remains extremely severe but varies considerably by location. In Darfur, Kordofan and Blue Nile, areas directly affected by active hostilities are assessed as likely to be sufficiently severe to create a general risk of serious harm under paragraphs 339C and 339CA(iii) of the Immigration Rules. By contrast, conditions are generally assessed as less severe in parts of Kassala, Red Sea, Northern, Gedaref, River Nile, White Nile and Sennar, where direct fighting has been lower and some services continue to operate. However, the Home Office stresses that conditions remain volatile and that localised circumstances can still create a real risk of serious harm. The updated guidance also notes that Al Jazirah, Khartoum and Sennar have experienced reduced fighting since mid-2025, which has led to significant returns by internally displaced people. Those returns have nevertheless placed additional pressure on already limited services. The assessment states that internal relocation may be possible in some less-affected areas, but travelling from conflict-affected areas may itself be difficult or unreasonable because of insecurity, road closures, fuel shortages, banditry, criminality and illegal checkpoints. The guidance further states that where a Sudan-related claim is refused, it is unlikely to be certified as clearly unfounded under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

Overview

UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) updated its Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN) concerning the humanitarian situation in Sudan on 7 September 2026. This updated guidance provides crucial information for caseworkers assessing asylum and human rights applications. The revision ensures that decisions on such applications are based on the most current available data regarding humanitarian conditions in Sudan.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Sudanese citizens asking for asylum in the United Kingdom
  • People from Sudan making human rights requests based on conditions they would face if they returned
  • Sudanese asylum seekers whose requests depend on the humanitarian situation in their home region
  • Applicants from Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile. The updated guide says these areas have very severe humanitarian conditions
  • UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) decision makers who look at protection requests related to Sudan
  • Lawyers and organisations helping Sudanese asylum seekers

What changed in the latest version

Before

The old UK guide on Sudan's humanitarian situation was a Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN). It came out before the September 2026 update. This guide gave information and reviews about the country. Officials used it for decisions on asylum and human rights requests. The September 2026 version is number 3.0. It includes newer information about Sudan's humanitarian conditions. This includes displacement, food security, healthcare, infrastructure, humanitarian access, and how different areas are affected by the conflict. The new guide does not create a new visa or residence route specifically for Sudan. Its main use is for UK asylum and human rights decisions.

After

The Home Office's new review says that Sudan's humanitarian situation is still very serious. But it is very different depending on the area. In Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile, areas directly affected by fighting are likely to be bad enough to cause a general risk of serious harm. This meets the rules in paragraphs 339C and 339CA(iii) of the Immigration Rules. In other parts, like Kassala, Red Sea, Northern, Gedaref, River Nile, White Nile, and Sennar, conditions are generally not as bad. These areas have had less direct fighting. Some services still work there. However, the Home Office warns that conditions are still unstable. Local situations can still cause a real risk of serious harm. The new guide also notes that Al Jazirah, Khartoum, and Sennar have had less fighting since mid-2025. This has led many internally displaced people to return home. But these returns have put more pressure on services that are already limited. The review says that people might be able to move to safer areas within Sudan. But travelling from areas of conflict might be difficult or not reasonable. This is because of danger, road closures, not enough fuel, crime, and illegal checkpoints. The guide also says that if a claim related to Sudan is refused, it is unlikely to be marked as clearly unfounded. This is under section 94 of the Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002.

This update can directly change how UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) looks at protection requests from people from Sudan. The guide does not automatically grant asylum or humanitarian protection to all Sudanese citizens. Instead, it gives specific evidence and reviews for each country. Decision makers must use this when they decide if a person truly faces a risk of serious harm. The difference between regions is very important. The Home Office says Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile are areas where the humanitarian situation is likely serious enough to meet the serious harm level. Conditions in some eastern and northern areas are generally seen as less serious. Each person's situation is still the most important factor. The guide also states that moving to another place within Sudan can be hard. This is because travel through conflict areas is limited by danger, road closures, checkpoints, not enough fuel, and other problems.

Explained simply

Imagine the UK government has a big instruction book for deciding if someone from another country can stay here, especially if their home country is facing problems. This week, they’ve just updated the chapter about the humanitarian situation in Sudan. This means that anyone from Sudan asking for help in the UK will have their case looked at using the very latest information about what’s happening there right now. It's like updating a map to make sure everyone uses the most current routes, so decisions are fair and accurate.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Effective 7 Sept 2026PublishedMedium impact
    UK Updates Country Policy and Information Note on Humanitarian Situation in Sudan for Asylum and Human Rights Applications

    UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has updated its guide on Sudan's humanitarian situation. This guide is called a Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN). The new CPIN was published in September 2026. It replaces the old version, which came out in March 2024. UKVI officials use this guide to make decisions on asylum and human rights requests from people from Sudan. The update was published and started on 7 September 2026. It gives the most current information for these types of cases.

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