Thousands of Sudanese and South Sudanese refugees in Egypt are at risk of getting arrested due to bureaucratic barriers making it almost impossible to renew their residency permits.  The move came a few months after Egyptian authorities exempt individuals from fines for delaying the renewal of residence permits.  Widespread problems had led to the Egyptian authorities putting in place a three month exemption period for Sudanese and South Sudanese expats to get their legal status sorted. However many of those those who went to the immigration office to renew their right to stay have been disappointed. The majority of Sudanese and South Sudanese have reported mistreatment by the Immigration officers and misconduct on behalf of staff.  Almost 90% of the expats who went to start the process have been told to not come back for three months - after which time they are in jeopardy again. South Sudan News has been unable to get a response from the Egyptian authorities.

Living in Egypt without a valid residence Permit is a violation of the residency law in the country, which is punishable under Egyptian law.