For one to enter Uganda, a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry is a requirement for all non East Africans. Entry may be refused to passengers not holding sufficient funds, return or onward tickets, and other necessary travel documents.
1: Visas
Visas are required by all nationals from Canada, Britain, USA and EU nations. You can obtain visas either on arrival at Entebbe airport or in advance. Visas can also be accessed at any of Uganda’s foreign missions as well as the entry points around the country
Travelers who are also visiting Rwanda and Kenya may find it more useful to apply for an East African cross-border joint visa which allows entry into all three countries on a single visa.
2: Visa note:
Although transit passengers do require a visa, it is possible to obtain one on entry provided you are continuing to a third country by the same or first connecting flight within 24 hours, hold confirmed tickets and travel documents and do not leave the airport.
Nationals from the member states of COMESA: Angola, Burundi, Comoros, Eritrea, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Swaziland, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe are exempted from visa requirements to enter Uganda but must possess valid identity cards from their respective countries.
Others exempted are nationals from; Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Fiji, Gambia, Greneda, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malta, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, St.Vincent and the Grenadines, Tonga, Vanuatu, Italy (only diplomatic passport holders), and Cyprus
3: Qualifications for the Visa application
In order to qualify for a visa, all intending travelers to Uganda must comply with the following requirements:
- You must be in possession of a valid passport issued by your government. Your passport must be valid past the date of your expected departure from Uganda.
- Applicants without American passports should have a valid U.S visa or provide a copy of a green card / Resident Permit
- You must have: An international Inoculation Certificate against Yellow Fever.
4: Visa application process
- Applications forms are available online.
- Submit your passport and two (2) recent passport – size photographs with your filled form.
- Pay applicable Fees below, by money order or (cashier’s cheque) only
- In a secure envelope, enclose your passport form, the two photographs, the money order (or cashier cheque) and submit to Uganda Mission in your country.
5. Applications for Visas may be submitted by mail or in person. Applications by post must be accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed USPS Express Overnight envelope only, for shipping your document(s) back to you.
Any other courier service with traceable delivery methods like FEDEX and DHL are also recommended.
6. Visa applications should be submitted 2 months before travel, at the earliest and not later than four days before travel
7. Mail the package to the Permanent Mission of Uganda to the United Nations 336 East 45th Street, New York, N.Y 10017,
(e). * Allow three (3) working days for your visa application to be processed.
Types and cost:
Single-entry visa costs US$50 on entry for three months while multiple-entry visa goes for $100 (six months). You can apply for 12, 24 and 36-months multiple-entry visas at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Kampala or at any of the Ugandan foreign missions.
East African tourist visa costs US$100 and allows you to move across the borders of the 3 members countries of East African Community; Rwanda Kenya and Tanzania.
Single-entry visas on arrival for nationals of Cyprus, Ireland and Malta are issued free of charge.
Transit visas are valid for 24 hours but 7-days transit visas are also available for those traveling through Uganda Overland.
There are also Student passes for those interested in studying in Uganda at any approved college, university or institution, renewable on a yearly basis. Research passes may also be granted while special passes are issued to those on short-term work contracts or those awaiting processing of more permanent applications including work permits or certificates of residency. If you wish to extend your stay, you must contact the Immigration Headquarters in Kampala before your current visa expires. If you overstay your visa, you will be charged US$30 per day.
Entry with Pets
Cats and dogs must have a certificate of good health from a registered veterinarian in the area of origin, which must be issued, signed and stamped no earlier than 10 days before arrival in Uganda. You will also need a certificate confirming the animal is free of rabies and has been inoculated as necessary.
Dogs require vaccinations against distemper, parvo-virus, rabies, hepatitis and leptospirosos, not less than 30 days prior to arrival. Cats should be vaccinated against rabies and feline enteritis, not less than 30 days prior to arrival.