Uganda Entry Requirements & Visa Application | Expert Guide

Visas and Passes

Any person intending to enter Uganda shall do so for authorised purposes and in accordance with national immigration rules and guidelines. Foreigners who want to work in Uganda need to meet the criteria for expatriate employment. Below you will find detailed information about the types of visas, how to apply, the requirements and the payments.

Uganda Tourist Visa – Single Entry

This visa is for those going to Uganda for tourism, medical treatment, visiting relatives and other purposes. This is a single entry visa and can be issued for a period of up to 3 months.

NOTE: Visa Approval Authorisation is valid for 90 days (three months) from the date of Approval. After this the Approval Authorisation is automatically cancelled and invalidated and the applicant needs to make a fresh application. To minimise this difficulty, applicants should always travel within three months of visa approval.

Where to apply: the visas are available online through the Immigration portal.

Requirements & Attachments

• Tourism
  Passport copy (bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Tour plan
  Travel itinerary / booking
  Recent Passport-size Photograph
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  Hotel booking or reservation (if any other accommodation, provide an address)
• Business (meetings, conferences)
  Passport copy (bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Letter of invitation with clear address and clearly stating business in Uganda
  Recent Passport-size Photograph taken in the last 6 months
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  Immigration status of host if individual
• Studies
  Passport copy (bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Letter of invitation from the school
  Recent passport size photograph
  Admission letter from the school
  Vaccination Certificate (yellow fever)
  Status of host in Uganda
• Family Visit
  Passport copy (bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Letter of invitation
  Immigration status of the host
  Recent Passport-size Photograph
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  Hotel booking or reservation (if any other accommodation, provide an address)
  Status of host in Uganda
• Fees
  The visas cost USD 50.
  Visa Fees are non-refundable and all payments are subject to a bank charge.
  Language; all documents attached should be in English.
  Other documents may be required during the process

Diplomatic and Official Visa

This is a visa for Diplomatic, Official and Service passport holders who are entering the country on official business or duties and for Ordinary passport holders who are exempted from immigration fees

Where to apply: the visas are available online through the Immigration portal.

• Requirements
  Attachments
  Copy of the diplomatic/official passport (Bio-data page & Cover Page) with at least 6 months validity
  Copy of recent Passport size Photo graph
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  Copy of Diplomatic Note (Note Verbale)/ support document for official visit
• Fees
  The visa is gratis and is granted Fee Nil
  Visa Fees are non-refundable and all payments are subject to a bank charge.
  Language; all documents attached should be in English.
  Any other documents may be required during processing

Transit Visa

This visa is granted to travelers transiting through Uganda to a third country and it is granted for a maximum of 7 days and is not extendable.

Where to apply: available online through the Immigration portal

• Requirements
  Attachments
  Copy of the passport (Bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Copy of recent Passport size Photo graph
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  A letter stating reason for transit and country of destination
  Proof of permission to enter the country of destination
• Fees
  USD 50.
  Visa Fees are non-refundable and all payments are subject to a bank charge.
  Language; all documents attached should be in English.
  Any other documents may be required during processing.
• Validity
  The visa is valid for only 7 days and cannot be extended.

Multiple-Entry Visa

This is granted to travelers who travel to Uganda frequently. This can be granted for 6 months, 12 months or 24 months and allows the holder multiple entry for the duration. The visa prohibits employment

Where to apply: available online through the Immigration portal

• Requirements
  Attachments
  Passport (Bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Recent Passport size Photograph
  Valid Police clearance from Interpol or home country
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
  Recommendation letter from one (2) referees in Uganda
  Cover Letter stating reasons for Multiple Entry
• Fees
  6 months to 12 month: USD 100
  24 months: USD 200
  Visa Fees are non-refundable and all payments are subject to a bank charge.
  Language; all documents attached should be in English.
  Any other documents may be required during processing

East African Tourist Visa

This is a Joint Tourist Visa and it allows the traveler to travel to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda ONLY. It can be used multiple times for tourism purposes. The visa prohibits employment and is issued only for tourism purposes. The visa is valid for 90 days and is not renewable upon expiry or upon exit from the block (Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda).

NB: The issuing country should be your first entry point

Where to apply: the visas are available online through the Immigration portal

• Requirements
  Attachments
  Copy of the passport (Bio-data page) with at least 6 months validity
  Copy of recent Passport size Photograph
  Vaccination Certificate (Yellow fever)
  Return Ticket
  Travel Itinerary
• Fees
  The Fee payable is USD 100.
  Visa Fees are non-refundable and all payments are subject to a bank charge.
  Language; all documents attached should be in English.
  Any other documents may be required during processing
• Validity
  This is granted for 3 months from the date of issue and not extendable within the country.