Uganda Visa Information
Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System
The Government of Uganda introduced an online visa/permit application system effective from 1st July 2016. The Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System performs checks against law enforcement databases. All travelers seeking admission to Uganda are required to obtain a visa using this system prior to being granted boarding. All persons intending to travel to Uganda for holiday, tourism, business, study, visit, and/or medical purposes are required to apply and obtain a visa online. Applications should be filled at the following link: Uganda eVisa Application.
Lawful Entry Requirements
Any person intending to enter Uganda should do so only for lawful purposes and in accordance with national immigration laws, guidelines, and formalities. Foreign nationals intending to enter Uganda for employment should comply with expatriate employment requirements.
Visa Exemptions
Nationalities that do not require a Visa to enter Uganda:
- COMESA: Angola, Eritrea, Malawi, Madagascar, Seychelles, Swaziland, Zambia, Comoros, Kenya, Mauritius, Zimbabwe
- EAC: Tanzania, Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, South Sudan
- OTHERS: Antigua, Barbados, Fiji, Grenada, Lesotho, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Cyprus, Bahamas, Belize, Gambia, Jamaica, Malta, Singapore, St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Any other exemptions will be specified upon arrival.
Application Process
How to Apply for a Visa
All persons intending to travel to Uganda must apply and obtain a visa online. Follow these steps:
- Choose the Application Type: Select Visa or Permit, and choose the appropriate category (e.g., Ordinary, Multiple-Entry, Diplomatic and Official, Transit, East Africa Tourist Visa).
- Fill the Electronic Form: Provide necessary details in the online form.
- Add Documents: Upload required documents such as a copy of your recent passport-size photograph, passport bio-data page, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, recommendation letter, and police clearance.
- Submit the Application: Complete the process by submitting your application.
After submission, an Immigration Officer will review the application. Additional information may be requested during the approval process, which can be submitted electronically via the same portal.
Travel Authorization
Upon submission, you will receive a notification with an application number to track your application. The decision on your application will be sent electronically to the email provided. If approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment. This letter serves as a Travel Authorization. Print it out and present it along with a valid passport/travel document (valid for at least 6 months) at the port of entry.
Note: This travel authorization does not guarantee entry into Uganda. Travelers may undergo secondary verification before a visa is placed in the passport.
For more details on the required documents, visit Visa Document Requirements.
Application Timeline
Visas, permits, and passes are generally approved within 2 to 3 working days. However, applicants are advised to apply at least 5 working days before their intended date of travel. Applications should be submitted within 3 months of the departure date from Uganda, as the validity of an approved E-Visa is three months from the issue date.
Services Available on the E-Visa Portal
- All Types of Visas
- Entry Permits / Work Permits
- Student Passes
- Special Passes
- Dependant’s Passes (if the principal’s work permit was obtained electronically)
- Certificates of Residence
- Dual Citizenship Certificates (NEW)
Types of Visas
- Visas to Uganda: Single entry visas for up to 3 months and multiple-entry visas for up to 6 months. Extensions can be applied for at the Immigration Office in Kampala.
- East Africa Tourist Visa: Allows travel between Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda with a multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days. Does not grant entry into Tanzania, Burundi, or South Sudan.
- Eligibility: Tourists with no country-of-origin restrictions
- Dependents: Must apply individually
- Travel Documents: Valid international passport (minimum 6 months from the time of application)
- Visa Fees: $100 USD per visa
- Validity: 90 days
- Entry/Exit: Multiple entries to Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. Cannot be extended.
- Visa Payment: All applications and payments must be made online through Uganda eVisa Application.
- Issuance at Missions Abroad: E-visas and e-permits are centrally approved but can be personalized at Points of Entry or Missions Abroad equipped with the e-immigration system.
- Requirements for Government Business Travel: Government officials must submit a visa application with supporting documents such as a Note Verbale from the relevant authority.
Contacts and Support
The Consular Section at the Uganda Embassy is open for inquiries and visa sticker collection, Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (excluding public holidays in Uganda and the US).
For visa-related issues, contact: Kkasibayo@ugandaembassyus.org (leave your name and a reliable call-back number).
Important Notices
- Submit visa applications through the official portal: Uganda eVisa Application.
- Beware of fraudulent visa websites. Only use the official site to avoid scams and additional charges.
- Report any suspicious websites and contact details provided above for verification and assistance.