Uganda Visa Requirements for Travellers

Who Needs a Visa for Uganda?

Most foreign travellers will require a visa to enter Uganda. Uganda requires visas for visitors from the vast majority of countries, with only a few exceptions. Currently, visa-exempt countries include some of Uganda’s African neighbours and a handful of Caribbean and Pacific nations. For example, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, and South Sudan (all members of the East African Community) can visit Uganda visa-free, typically for a period of up to three months. Other exempt countries include a mix of predominantly African and some Commonwealth or Caribbean states, such as Zambia, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Jamaica, Barbados, Mauritius, Seychelles, among others. If you hold a passport from one of these visa-exempt countries, a visa application isn’t necessary; you will be granted entry on arrival with just your passport (and meeting other entry requirements, such as health documents).

For all nationalities other than those listed above, a visa is required. That includes travellers from Europe, North America, Asia, Australia, and most of Africa, not on the exempt list. The Ugandan government has made it clear that visas should be obtained online in advance through the e-Visa system for all those who require visas. Uganda introduced an e-Visa system in 2016, which has since become the primary method for visa issuance.

Important: As of recent directives, all travellers needing a visa are expected to have an approved e-Visa (or other permit) before arriving in Uganda. Airlines may check for your visa approval letter before allowing you to board your flight to Entebbe. Uganda no longer offers a visa on arrival. While in the past, one could pay at the airport, you are now strongly advised (and effectively required) to apply online and carry the printed visa approval or Travel Authorisation document with you. There have been official notices that “all persons intending to travel to Uganda must apply online and have a Visa Approval Letter before embarking on travel”. In practice, some travellers without an e-Visa have still been able to get visas on arrival in cases of tech issues, but this is not guaranteed and can lead to delays or even denial of boarding by airlines. So it is best to do it the proper way: online in advance.

Uganda’s E-Visa System

Uganda’s e-Visa is relatively straightforward. You apply through the official website (the URL is visas.immigration.go.ug – note that any other site claiming to do Uganda visas is likely a third-party service or scam).

Types of Uganda Visas:

• Single-Entry Tourist Visa: This is the most common type, valid for tourism or general visits. It allows one entry and is typically valid for up to 90 days. The fee is USD 50 for most nationals (the fee might be slightly higher when applying online due to a processing charge, but $50 is standard).
• Multiple-entry Visas: Uganda offers 6-month or 12-month multiple-entry visas (valid if you plan to come and go). These costs around $100 for 6-12 months, and increase to more for 24 months.
• East Africa Tourist Visa: Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda jointly offer a 90-day multiple-entry East African Tourist Visa for USD 100. With this type of visa, you can travel freely between the three countries (Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda) for a period of 90 days. It is an excellent option if you are planning a regional trip. Note: You must apply for the East Africa visa through the country which is your first point of entry. If you are landing in Uganda first, Uganda will issue it (you can select this option during the e-Visa application process). This visa is also available upon arrival at Entebbe and other entry points, provided that Uganda is your first country of entry. However, it is safer to pre-apply. Please note that if you leave the three-country zone (e.g., travel to Tanzania or return home), the visa will become invalid for re-entry.
• Business, Student, and Transit Visas: Uganda issues visas for various purposes. A transit visa (valid for 2 days, for those just passing through) can also be obtained for $50. Business visas might have additional documentation requirements (like an invitation letter).

Uganda’s E-Visa Application Proces

You will need to create an account on the Uganda immigration portal, complete an online form, and upload the required documents. Typically required are:

• Passport copy (bio-data page). For access, your passport should be valid for at least 6 months from the entry date and have a blank page.
• Recent passport-size photograph (please upload digitally).
• Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (often asked for upload, since it is mandatory for entry – more on that later).
• Travel itinerary details (flight booking info, and possibly an address of where you will stay in Uganda – a hotel booking or a friend’s address).
• Credit/debit card for payment (Visa or MasterCard). The portal is secure for online payment of the visa fee.

Once you submit and pay, processing is usually quick, often taking 2-3 business days, and may occasionally take up to a week during peak times. An email will be sent to you with a Visa Approval Letter (Travel Authorisation) if your application is approved. Please print this out and carry it with your passport. Upon arrival at Entebbe International Airport or a land border, you will present this letter. The immigration officer will verify it and then stamp a visa in your passport (you may also need to provide biometric fingerprints and a photo on arrival). Having the printed approval in hand speeds up the process.

If you have not received approval and your travel date is very close, the immigration site allows you to check your status by logging in. Sometimes approvals come in at the last minute. In emergencies, you may need to bring proof of your application to show the airline; however, it is advisable to have the actual approval in advance.

Visa on Arrival: Is It Still an Option?

Uganda formerly offered a visa on arrival for many nationalities, but as mentioned, the policy has shifted to a mandatory e-Visa. However, in practice, immigration does not want to turn genuine tourists away, so there is anecdotal evidence that if someone arrives without an e-Visa, they can still pay for a visa on the spot. This is not an official guarantee, and airlines might refuse boarding without proof of a visa, so do not bank on a visa on arrival.

The official message is clear: “All persons…are required to apply and obtain a visa online.”. The Directorate of Immigration issued notices stating that airlines must not fly passengers to Uganda without prior visa approval. To avoid uncertainty, apply online.

One exception: The East Africa Tourist Visa, as mentioned, can sometimes be issued on arrival if you request it specifically and have not obtained one in advance. But better to apply ahead of time for that as well.

If you do find yourself in a situation where you must get a visa on arrival (say, you had technical issues with the website), be prepared to pay in cash (USD is preferred; ensure your bills are newer than 2013 and in good condition, as Uganda, like many countries, can reject older or damaged USD notes). Credit card payment on-site may be available, but it is not guaranteed if the systems are down. The fee would remain the same ($50 for single entry, $100 for East Africa).

Visa-Exempt Travelers

For those from visa-exempt countries, entry is straightforward. You will need a valid passport (6 months validity) and usually proof of onward/return travel. You will be stamped in with permission to stay up to 90 days. Note that visa-free status does not necessarily permit work; it is typically for visits or tourism purposes.

Uganda has also occasionally signed mutual visa waiver agreements for diplomatic or service passports with specific countries. For example, there have been discussions to waive visas with certain countries for all passport types (Uganda signed a pact with Mozambique in 2019 to remove visa requirements for each other’s citizens, though implementation can be slow). Always double-check the current status – your local Ugandan embassy or the official Immigration website will list exempt nationalities.

Passport Validity and Other Entry Rules

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended date of entry in Uganda. This is standard. You also need at least one blank page for the visa stamp to be placed. Immigration may also ask to see a return or onward ticket (proof you do not intend to overstay). While this is not always asked, it is wise to have a copy of your round-trip flight itinerary or onward travel booking.

If you are travelling onward to another country after Uganda, be mindful of their visa requirements as well (e.g., Kenya or Tanzania if you travel overland – although the East Africa visa covers Kenya and Rwanda, as mentioned).

Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirement

One critical requirement: Yellow Fever vaccination. Uganda requires all arriving travellers to show a valid Yellow Fever Immunisation Certificate (yellow card) upon entry. This is strictly enforced at Entebbe Airport and land borders. Suppose you cannot show proof of vaccination. In that case, Uganda’s health authorities can compel you to get vaccinated at the point of entry (there is an office at Entebbe Airport where they administer the vaccine for a fee of about $40 or UGX 120,000 if needed). It is usually better (and cheaper) to get the shot before travelling and carry the certificate. The vaccination should be administered at least 10 days prior to arrival to be valid (it lasts for life, according to current WHO guidelines, although older certificates may specify a 10-year validity period – Uganda recognises lifetime validity for the one-time shot).

During the COVID-19 pandemic or other health outbreaks, Uganda also instituted requirements such as a negative COVID test or proof of vaccination. As of 2025, most of these have eased, but it is advisable to check Uganda’s Ministry of Health or an official website for the latest health entry rules. Currently, the Yellow Fever shot remains the only universal requirement.

Customs and Immigration on Arrival

When you arrive in Uganda (most likely through Entebbe International Airport (EBB), the main gateway), you will go through immigration. If you have your e-Visa approval, present it along with your passport. The officer will likely ask a couple of questions (such as the purpose of your visit – tourism, how long you plan to stay, etc.), take your digital photo and fingerprints, and then stamp your passport with an entry visa or entry stamp. The tourist visa typically grants 90 90-day stay. You can apply for an extension at Uganda’s immigration offices in Kampala (the initial 90 days can often be extended by another 90 days) if you intend to stay longer. If you overstay your visa, it can result in fines or complications when you depart, so always either extend your stay or depart in a timely manner.

For East Africa Tourist Visa holders, the same applies; however, you will receive a special East Africa visa sticker. Note that if you leave the trio of countries (for example, take a side trip to Tanzania or Ethiopia), the East Africa visa is void – you would need a new visa to re-enter.

At immigration, they may also verify your Yellow Fever card (often, a health desk is located before immigration to check this). Post-immigration, you go through customs. Tourists can bring in personal effects duty-free, as well as up to 1 litre of alcohol, 200 cigarettes, etc. It is illegal to bring in narcotics, firearms (without prior clearance), or pornography. If you have drones or professional video equipment, note that importing these might require special permission from civil aviation or Uganda Communications Commission (UCC). If you are a hobbyist, it is usually fine. However, occasionally, drones can be confiscated at entry to be reclaimed on departure if not declared (drone usage is restricted in national parks and some areas).

Visa for Re-Entry and Neighbouring Countries

One notable aspect of Ugandan visas is that if you also plan to visit Kenya or Rwanda, the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) streamlines your travel by covering all three countries for tourism purposes. For example, you could land in Uganda, travel for a week, then go to Kenya and Rwanda, and come back to Uganda – all on one visa. Just ensure Uganda was your first entry point (since you applied through Uganda). The EATV is a multiple-entry visa only among those three countries. If you leave them, it is done.

If you do not have an EATV and want to side-trip to, say, Kenya, you would need a separate Kenyan visa, and then you would need a new single-entry Uganda visa to return. Fortunately, Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda allow a grace period for those with separate visas. If you travel between them, you do not have to pay again if you return to the first country, as long as your visa is still valid. But that grace is usually only if you do not go outside the three. Using the EATV is easier.

For Tanzania, it is not part of the EATV. If you travel to Tanzania, you will need a Tanzanian visa, and your Ugandan visa will expire upon exit (single-entry). Returning to Uganda requires a new visa. So plan accordingly – that might be another reason to opt for the East Africa visa if your trip includes both, as you could route your trip through Uganda, then to Kenya or Rwanda, and back to Uganda without needing another visa.

Other Entry Tips

• Immigration Service Fee: The visa fee you pay (e.g., $50) covers the immigration service. There is no additional “entry tax” at the airport – departure tax is included in air tickets nowadays. If anyone asks for extra unofficial fees, that would be suspicious. The airport process is usually straightforward and professional.
• Visa Extensions: If you fall in love with Uganda and want to stay longer than your visa allows, you can extend at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) office in Kampala (at the Ministry of Internal Affairs). Extensions for tourist visas are usually granted in 1-3 month increments up to a total stay of 6 months. Before your current visa expires, you will need to fill out a form, pay a fee (approximately $50 for a 30-day extension, for example), and provide a reason (such as tourism or visiting friends). Check the latest extension fees and process on the Immigration website or inquire in person. Overstaying without an extension can result in a fine of $100 or more, as well as potential difficulties.
• Work or Volunteering: A tourist visa does not permit employment. If you intend to work (even as a volunteer with NGOs), you should have a special pass or work permit. Short-term volunteers often still come on tourist visas, but be aware of the distinction. If asked at immigration about your purpose and you are coming to volunteer, it is better to say “tourism” unless you have proper paperwork, as being a volunteer might be interpreted as work.
• E-Visa Scams: Only use the official Uganda e-Visa portal or official channels (or an official embassy) to apply. There have been cases of fraudulent websites. The correct site has a .go.ug domain. The Ugandan Embassy in Washington, DC, explicitly warns against using any site other than the official e-Visa website.
• Upon Departure: Keep your passport and visa paperwork safe during your trip. Upon leaving Uganda, you will go through immigration exit control. Generally hassle-free – they will scan your passport, check that you did not overstay, and stamp you out. If you overstayed, you may be pulled aside to pay fines.