If you plan to visit Kenya or other countries in East Africa like Rwanda and Tanzania, it might be a good idea to explore Uganda as well. It is home to the source of the world’s longest river – Nile River and the world’s remaining Mountain Gorillas. [Check out our list of top things to do in Kampala]
Getting a visa to visit Uganda is easy and hassle-free. You can either get a Ugandan Tourist Visa or the East Africa Tourist Visa which allows you to visit Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days. Check out our comprehensive East Africa Visa guide to know if this is for you.
Visa-Exempt Nationals
Citizens of the countries listed below do NOT need to apply for a visa to enter Uganda.
- Angola
- Eritrea
- Malawi
- Madagascar
- Seychelles
- Swaziland
- Zambia
- Comoros
- Kenya
- Mauritius
- Zimbabwe
- Tanzania
- Rwanda
- Burundi
- Antigua
- Barbados
- Fiji
- Grenada
- Lesotho
- Sierra Leone
- Solomon Islands, The Grenadines
- Vanuatu
- Ghana
- Cyprus
- Bahamas
- Belize
- Gambia
- Jamaica
- Malta
- Singapore
- St. Vincent-Tonga
Types of Visas and Corresponding Visa Fees
Uganda Ordinary / Tourist Visa
This is a single entry visa that allows you to stay in Uganda for 90 days. The visa will expire as soon as you leave Uganda even if you only stay for a couple of days.
The Uganda Single Entry Tourist Visa costs USD50 plus 3% surcharge for online payment.
Requirements for Uganda Single Entry Tourist Visa:
- Passport copy (bio-data page)
- Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- Return ticket or onward ticket. In my case, I explained that I am taking a bus to Tanzania then Rwanda so I submitted my ticket from Kigali to Mumbai.
- Hotel booking confirmation
Multiple Entry Visa
The Ugan Multiple Entry visa allows you to visit Uganda multiple times within a period of 6, 12 or 24 months. This visa costs USD100 for 6 & 12 months validity and USD150 for 24 months validity. An additional 3% surcharge will be added for online payment.
Requirements for Uganda Multiple Entry Visa:
- Passport copy (bio-data page)
- Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph (not older than 6 months)
- Cover Letter stating reasons for Multiple Entry
- Police clearance from Interpol or home country
- Proof entries and exits into Uganda in the last one year
- Recommendation letters from a referee in Uganda
Transit Visa
This visa is issued to nationalities requiring visas who intend to go out of the airport while in transit through Uganda. The transit visa fee is USD50 and is valid for 72 hours.
Requirements for Uganda Transit Visa:
- Passport copy (bio-data page)
- Vaccination Certificate (Yellow Fever)
- Recent Passport-size Photograph
- A letter stating reason for transit and country of destination
East Africa Tourist Visa
This is a joint tourist visa that allows visitors to travel to and within the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda for the purpose of tourism. This is valid for 90 days and can be obtained on arrival or online prior to your visit to Uganda. Learn more about the East Africa Visa.
How to Obtain a Uganda Tourist Visa Online?
Below is the step-by-step process of obtaining a Uganda visa online.
- Visit https://visas.immigration.go.ug and click “Start Application at the bottom of the page.
- Click accept when you are prompted with the terms and conditions.
- Choose Visa the Visa or permit type.
- Select the type of visa you want to obtain then choose a subcategory if applicable.
- Fill out the Visa applications form completely and accurately. Make sure you know your entry point as you will be required to put it in the form. If you cross the border from Kenya to Uganda, the entry point is Busia. If you come from Tanzania, the entry point is Mtukula.
- Upload the required documents.
- Wait for the approval of your visa application.
Arriving in Uganda
Do not forget to bring a copy of the entry permit / e-Visa along with your Yello Fever Vaccination (Yellow Card), Photocopy of passport’s bio page, and recent passport size photograph. You will be issued a sticker visa at the entry point – airport immigration or border control immigration. In my case, the immigration officer did not ask for the passport copy and photograph but just bring them just in case you’ll be asked. Read our Border Crossing Guide from Kenya to Uganda for more information.
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Glen Nomad is a travel blogger and the founder of Escape Manila, one of the top travel blogs in the Philippines. He has visited all 82 provinces in the Philippines and has explored 46 countries across Asia, Latin America, East Africa, Europe, and Australia. Follow him on IG at @escapemanila
