The Government of Uganda introduced an online visa/permit application system with effect from 1st July 2016. The Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System performs checks against law enforcement databases. All travellers 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 are required to apply and obtain a visa online. Applications should be filled at the following link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/.

Any person intending to enter into 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 purposes of employment should comply with requirements for expatriate employment in Uganda.

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 exemption as may be specified on arrival.

Application Process:

How to Apply for a Visa

All persons intending to travel to Uganda for holiday, tourism, business, study, visit, and/or medical are required to apply and obtain a visa online. Applications should be filled at the following link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/.

Uganda evisa application portal

 Step-1: Choose the application type(Visa or Permit), category (Ordinary, Multiple-Entry, Diplomatic and Official,Transit, East Africa Tourist Visa), subcategory (single-entry, multiple-entry for 6-12 months, 12-24 months or 24-36 months)

Step-2: Fill the electronic form

Step-3: Add documents (Copy of recent passport size photograph, Copy of passport bio-data page, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, Recommendation letter, Police clearance, etc.)

Step-4: Submit

Once the application is submitted it will be studied by an Immigration Officer. Please note that during the approval process additional information may be required. The new required information can be submitted electronically through https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/check.

TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION

Upon submission, the applicant will receive a notification with an application number which he/she can use to track the application. The decision taken on the application will be sent electronically through the email provided by the applicant. If approved, an approval letter will be sent as an attachment to the email provided. This letter serves as a Travel authorization. Print it out and present it together with a valid passport /travel document of not less than 6 months’ validity at the port of entry.

This travel authorization does not guarantee entry into Uganda. Travellers will be subjected to secondary verification where necessary before a visa can be placed in the passport.

Information about documents required in the online visa application can be found here: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/#/help/visa.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

All visas, permits and passes are approved within two (2) to three (3) working days, except in special circumstances where more documents and/or verification may be required.However, applicants are advised to apply at least five (5) working days before their intended date of travel.

Applicants are advised to only submit their application in a period that falls within 3 months of their departure from Uganda. The validity of an approved E-Visa is three months starting from the issue date.

SERVICES AVAILABLE ON THE E-VISA PORTAL:

• All Types of visas
• Entry Permits / Work Permits
• Students Pass
• Special Pass
• Dependant’s Pass (If the principal’s work Permit was obtained electronically)
• Certificate of Residence
• Dual Citizenship Certificate (NEW)

 TYPES OF VISAS

1) Visas to Uganda

The Embassy issues single entry visas for a maximum duration of 3 months and multiple entry visas for a maximum duration of 6 months. Any extensions of this period, can be applied for at the Immigration Office in Kampala.

2) EAC Visas

The East Africa Tourist Visa allows travel between Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda with the same multiple entry visa. This visa is the result of a joint initiative made by the Heads of States of the respective partner countries to boost regional travel and create opportunities for tourists to explore the diversity of East Africa. Travelers from any country can obtain a multiple entry visa that will allow entry to the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda for tourism over period of 90 days. Please note that this visa does NOT grant entry into the United Republic of Tanzania, Burundi or South Sudan.

INFORMATION AND ELIGIBILITY

Eligible Person: Tourist, no restrictions on country of origin

Dependents: All persons must apply in their own right.

Travel Documents: All tourists must have an official and genuine international passport, valid for not less than 6 months from the time of visa application.

Visa Fees: 100 USD per visa

Validity of Visa: 90 days

Single of Multiple Entry: Multiple entry to all three countries

Work or no Work: Work is not permitted on a vistor /tourist visa

Visa Extension: An East Africa Tourist Visa cannot be extended.

Country of Entry: The holder of the East Africa Tourist Visa must enter the region from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee.

Movement of persons: The holder shall also be allowed to move out of the Republic of Kenya, the Republic of Rwanda, and the Republic of Uganda and return without having to pay for another visa. This will only be applicable for the validity period of the visa (90 days from visa approval).

3) Payment for Visas

All applications and payment must be made online through the following link: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS MADE FOR PAYMENTS MADE INTO THE EMBASSY BANK ACCOUNT.

4) Issuance of visas at Uganda Missions Abroad (Embassies):

E-visas and e-permits are centrally approved but can be personalized at Point of Entry or Missions Abroad that have been equipped with the e-immigration system. The Uganda Embassy Washington, DC provides this personalization visa service for travellers that prefer not to receive their visas upon arrival in Uganda. This service is offered between the hours of 10:00 – 15:00 hrs.

5) REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A UGANDA VISA WHEN TRAVELING ON GOVERNMENT BUSINESS

The Uganda embassy shall still retain the responsibility of processing all diplomatic and official visa applications.

Government officials traveling on official business must submit visa applications with the following supporting documents:

For US Government officials;

A Note Verbale from the US Department of State clearly indicating the details of the traveling official, purpose of travel, host institution and period of stay in Uganda.

For non-US citizens traveling on official Government business to Uganda;

A Note Verbale from their respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Diplomatic Mission accredited to the United States, clearly stating the details of the traveling official, purpose of travel, host institution and period of stay in Uganda.

There is no processing fee for this category of visa.

Applications without the above supporting documents will not be processed

Applicants are requested to forward documents with cover Notes Verbales to the Uganda Embassy between the hours of 09:00 to 14:00 hrs, Monday-Friday

CONTACTS

The Consular Section at the Uganda Embassy is open to applicants for the collection of their visa stickers having received approval from the above website or inquiries, Monday to Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm only (except on Public Holidays in Uganda and the United States).

Applicants must apply for a visa using the E-Visa portal.

Issues regarding visas can be referred to the following email: Kkasibayo@ugandaembassyus.org please leave your name and a reliable call back number.

Before you proceed, please click here for online EVisa scam alert notice:

All visa applications must be submitted online via ONLY the official Uganda E-Visa website: https://visas.immigration.go.ug/.  Treat any other website advertising online visa services as an attempt to defraud you. The Embassy shall not be responsible for applications processed through any other website The Government of Uganda will NOT be responsible for any loss of funds or extra expenditure incurred as a result of using the unofficial site. Paper applications will not be processed and may result in delays.

Visitors traveling to Uganda are warned about the following fake websites https://www.evisaforuganda.com/index , http://www.uganda-evisa.com/, www.traveltouganda.org, www.evisaforuganda.com,  https://www.ugandaimmigration.org, https://www.traveldocs.com/travel-services/uganda-e-visa and many others which not only fraudulently claim to be application portalsfor e-visas to Uganda, but also charge incorrect amounts in addition to hefty “processing fees” ranging from $110 to $200. 

The correct fee is $50 US Dollars.

How to spot a fraudulent E-visa website:

1.     The web site only has the following visa options:

• Tourist Visas
• Transit Visas
• Multiple Entry Visas

Unlike the official website, https://www.visas.immigration.go.ug, which  provides for the following options:

• Visa For Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders
• Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa
• East Africa Tourist Visa
• Transit Visa
• Multiple-Entry Visas
• Entry (Work Permits)
• Dependant Passes
• Student Passes
• Special Passes and Certificates of Residence
• Dual Citizenship

2.     Please note that the official website bears the Ugandan Coat of Arms and DCIC Logo.

The fake website has three steps which are basically as follows:

1. Apply online
2. Make an online payment and
3. Check your email for feedback.

There are four steps on the official application website which are;

1. Selecting the application type
2. Fill the form
3. Add documents
4. Submit
5. Make online payments (only visas)

Please make sure that you or your clients do not submit a visa application through these fake websites. The officialapplication portal through which all online applications, including visas to Uganda are made is https://www.visas.immigration.go.ug/.