Visa for Uganda
Visitors to Uganda with the exception of those coming from visa-exempt countries are expected to obtain a visa via an online portal, or on arrival to Uganda, or from any of the Uganda diplomatic missions.
Who is exempted from obtaining?
Nationals of the following countries are allowed to visit Uganda without a visa for up to 3 months.
East African countries
Visitors from countries belonging to the East African Community do not need a Uganda visa to visit the country. These countries are; Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan
COMESA Countries
Countries belonging to the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa alliance have the privilege of visiting Uganda without having to obtain a visa.
COMESA countries are; Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, and Botswana.
Other countries
These are the other countries that are visa exempted;
Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, The Grenadines, Vanuatu, Ghana, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent-Tonga, Ireland, and Libya.
Who is eligible?
All tourists are eligible for a Uganda visa. In fact, there are no restrictions based on country of origin.
How do I get a Uganda visa?
A Uganda visa can be obtained on arrival or via an online portal.
Visa on arrival
With the exception of Somalia, citizens of all other countries can obtain a visa on arrival. However, this visa-on-arrival policy is set to be completely replaced by the e-Visa policy.
Travelers who have not applied for their visa online are still able to apply for it upon arrival in Uganda. Nevertheless, facilities in this case are limited, and travelers are likely to experience delays.
e-Visa
Since 1st July 2016, Uganda has been issuing visas online. Therefore, all individuals intending to travel to Uganda for tourism, holidays, business, education, treatment, or any other reason are required to apply for and obtain a visa online. Applications are filled in at this link https://visas.immigration.go.ug.
Can I use a Uganda visa to travel to other East African countries?
A visa to Uganda is restricted to travel within the Pearl of Africa. However, if travel to other East African countries is desired, an East Africa Tourist Visa can be applied for.
When does a Uganda visa expire?
A single entry visa is valid for a duration of 3 months. Multiple entry visas are valid for a maximum duration of 6 months. Any time extensions can be applied for at the Immigration Office in Kampala.
What about the East Africa tourist visa?
When you apply for this visa, you are able to travel between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya with the same multiple-entry visa. Moreover, this provides convenience for travelers exploring multiple destinations within the region.
Notably, the East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint initiative of the heads of state of the respective partner countries, with the aim of boosting regional travel and creating opportunities for tourists to explore East Africa.
Furthermore, the visa can be applied for by citizens of any country. It allows them entry to the Republic of Uganda, the Republic of Kenya, and the Republic of Rwanda for tourism purposes and remains valid for 90 days.
However, the East Africa Tourist Visa does not grant entry into the Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, or South Sudan. Therefore, travelers intending to visit these countries must apply for separate visas.
How do I apply for the Uganda e-visa?
You go to the Uganda e-visa application portal.
Step by Step
1: Under the application type chooses visa, and not permit. The platform is used for both visa and permit application.
You then go to category. You are asked to choose from these options: Ordinary, Multiple-entry, Diplomatic and Official, Transit, and East Africa Tourist Visa.
After this, you proceed to subcategory and you have options: Single-entry, Multiple-entry for 6-12 months, 12-24 months, or 24-36 months.
2: Fill an electronic form.
3: Add documents; a copy of recent passport sized photograph, copy of passport biodata page, yellow fever vaccination certificate, recommendation letter, and a police clearance.
4: Click submit.
After applying for the visa, what next?
After submitting your application, it will be assessed by an immigration officer. Before confirming your application as approved, additional information may be required. The information required can be submitted electronically.
You will then receive a notification with an application number which you can go on to use to track the progress of your application.
Final feedback
The final feedback on your application is subsequently sent via the email address you provided. If it is approved, a letter of approval is attached and delivered to your email.
At this stage, the approval letter is considered a travel authorization. Therefore, all that is required is for it to be printed out. It must then be presented along with a valid passport at the port of entry.
However, the authorization does not necessarily guarantee entry into Uganda. Upon arrival, travelers will be subjected to secondary verification before a visa can be placed in the passport.
What documents do I need to apply for the Uganda e-visa?
To know the documents you require to apply for a Uganda visa online.
How long does the e-visa application process take?
The online visa application process typically takes 2-3 working days; however, in special instances where additional documents or verification are required, the process may be extended.
Therefore, travelers are advised to apply for their Uganda visa at least 5 working days before their intended date of travel. Once approved, the e-visa remains valid for 3 months, starting from the date of issue
How much do I pay and how do I make the payment?
The costs $50 per individual for a single entry, and $100 for a multiple entry visa of 6-12 months.
A multiple entry visa of 12-24 months goes for $150, and a multiple entry visa of 24-36 months costs $200.
All visa payments are made online via https://visas.immigration.go.ug/
Does a Permit me to work in the country?
A visitor/tourist visa does not give you a permit to work in Uganda.