Visa for Uganda

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. There are no restrictions 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, citizen of all other countries can obtain on arrival. The visa on arrival policy is however about to be utterly wiped out in preference of the e-Visa policy.

Travelers who have not applied for their visa online are still able to apply for it on arrival in Uganda. However, facilities, in this case, are limited and travelers are very likely to experience delays.

e-Visa

Uganda has since 1st July 2016 been issuing visas online. All people intending to travel to Uganda for tourism, holiday, business, education, treatment, and 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 only limited to the Pearl of Africa. To travel to other countries in East Africa, you can apply for an East Africa tourist visa.

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.

East Africa tourist visa is a joint initiative of the heads of states of the respective partner countries, intended at boosting regional travel and creating opportunities for tourists to explore East Africa.

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, and is valid for 90 days.

The East Africa tourist visa does not, however, grant entry into the Republic of Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan.

How do I apply for the Uganda e-visa?

You go to the Uganda e-visa application portal.

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.

Step 2: Fill an electronic form.

Step 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.

Step 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 then sent via the email address you provided. If approved, you receive a letter of approval, sent as an attachment to the email you provided.

The approval letter serves as a travel authorization. All you need to do at this point is to print out the letter. You present it together with your valid passport at the port of entry.

The authorization doesn’t however guarantee entry into Uganda. You will be subjected to secondary verification before a visa can be placed in your 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 takes 2-3 working days, except in special instances where additional documents or verification is required.

Travelers are advised to apply for their Uganda visa at least 5 working days before their intended date of travel. The validity of an approved e-visa is 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.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *