Juba, South Sudan
January 13, 2022 —The Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Immigration has apprehended at least 49 people including five immigration officials over visa fraud in the country.
Among the arrested, 44 of them, who happened to be foreigners were arrested at their work places in Juba, some claiming to be South Sudan nationals.
In a statement seen by Nyamilepedia, the Director of Immigration, Gen. Anter Nichola Aleny arrested the criminals following a directive to hunt down those possessing fake visas and passports in the country.
Gen. Aleny says that five officials working at the entry department have also been held for coordinating the alleged fraud.
According to Brig. Gen. Ater Nicola Aleny, the arrested officers included a captain, first lieutenant and second lieutenant.
He reveals that his department is still investigating and working hard to track down more fake visas particularly from foreign nationals entering the country.
“Till now we are still investigating. We did not reach conclusion to know where these visas are coming from”, Brig. Aleny said on Wednesday in an interview.
Gen. Aleny also warn foreigners over inappropriate means of getting an entrance visa to South Sudan.
Gen. Aleny disclosed that some of the suspects are still at large.
“From the investigation with the five suspects, they have shown us some of the key points and we are now monitoring those people in some places and sure we will soon detain all of them” he said.
According to the report, most of those arrested are reportedly working in 24 NGO’s and oil companies across the country.
The documents required for South Sudan entry visa are original passport with at least 6 months validity and minimum 3 blank pages and personal coverage letter including a document that explains the purpose of travelling.
In 2020, more than 60 foreigners were arrested for not having valid visas.
The arrests came after South Sudan’s government announced that all foreign nationals must have legal documents to remain in the country.
