Last updated: 9 September 2026. This is an informational guide, not affiliated with the Ugandan government. Verify all requirements on the Ugandan immigration portal before applying. This guide is reviewed periodically; last checked against the Ugandan portal on 9 September 2026.
How the East Africa Tourist Visa Works & Which Portal to Use
The East Africa Tourist Visa is a pre-approval covering Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda for 90 days from the date of issue with multiple entries permitted within the bloc. The visa is issued for tourism purposes only; employment is prohibited. When Uganda is your first entry point into the East African Community, the East Africa Tourist Visa application must be submitted through the Ugandan immigration portal at visas.immigration.go.ug (Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System), operated by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) under the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Having an approved visa does not guarantee entry; the immigration officer at the port of entry may refuse permission.
The first point of entry rule dictates that the issuing country must be the first country you enter within the EAC bloc. For the East Africa visa apply Uganda process, use the decision-box table below to identify the correct portal.
| First Entry Country | Correct Portal |
|---|---|
| Uganda | visas.immigration.go.ug |
| Kenya | evisa.go.ke |
| Rwanda | irembo.gov.rw |
The DCIC is located at Plot 65/67, Old Port Bell Road, Kampala, Uganda. Contact: +256 417 102 600. Information website: www.immigration.go.ug. X handle: @DCICUg.
Documents, Fees & Payment for the East Africa Tourist Visa
The East Africa Tourist Visa requires five supporting documents uploaded in English, plus a USD 100 statutory fee payable online through visas.immigration.go.ug.
| Document | What to Check | Common Pitfall |
|---|---|---|
| Passport (bio-data page) | At least 6 months validity beyond scheduled arrival; include bottom machine-readable strip | Scan missing MRZ strip |
| Passport-size photograph | White background; taken within last 6 months; separate file | Scanning the passport photo page instead of a fresh photo |
| Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate | Name matches passport exactly; up-to-date | Name mismatch |
| Return / Onward Ticket | Confirmed booking departing the EAC bloc | Unconfirmed booking |
| Travel Itinerary | Shows movements between Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda | Vague or missing dates |
| Fee Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Statutory government fee | USD 100 | Non-refundable |
| Bank surcharge | Varies | Rate not disclosed; check at checkout |
| Estimated total in GBP | ~£78-82 | Depends on exchange rate |
The East Africa Tourist Visa fee is non-refundable; bank surcharge applies. UK Visa/Mastercard accepted; 3-D Secure may be required.
East Africa Visa Apply Uganda: Step-by-Step Walkthrough on the Ugandan Immigration Portal
Account Registration
Register an account at visas.immigration.go.ug with email verification.
Form Completion
Accept disclaimer, select “Joint Tourist Visa,” enter personal details and Uganda as first point of entry.
Upload & Pay
Upload passport, photo, yellow fever certificate, return ticket, and itinerary. Pay USD 100 fee online.
Approval Letter
Receive approval letter by email. Make any top-up payment if required. Print a hard copy.
Biometric Capture at the Border
Report to Entebbe airport or major land borders with all documents. Fingerprints and photo captured on-site; visa sticker issued.
Step 1: Account Registration
Register an account at visas.immigration.go.ug (email verification required) to begin the East Africa Tourist Visa application.
Steps 2-4: Form Completion
Accept the disclaimer terms, then select “Joint Tourist Visa” from the dropdown. Enter personal details, travel dates, and Uganda as first point of entry. The portal saves progress under a 6-digit reference number for session recovery.
Steps 5-6: Upload & Pay
Upload passport scan (bio-data page with MRZ strip), photo (white background), yellow fever certificate, return ticket, and travel itinerary. Accepted formats: PDF and JPEG, files under 1 MB. Pay the USD 100 statutory fee online via Visa or Mastercard; a bank surcharge applies at checkout.
Steps 7-8: Approval Letter
The approval letter is emailed upon approval. If top-up payment is required, make the additional payment upon notification; the letter is generated after payment confirmation. Print a hard copy.
Step 9: Biometric Capture at the Border
Upon arrival in Uganda, report to the immigration office or border post (Entebbe International Airport or major land borders: Malaba, Busia, Katuna) with all uploaded documents, payment receipts, approval letter, and passport. Fingerprints and photograph captured on-site; visa sticker issued. Save the 6-digit reference number to resume incomplete sessions.
Processing, Validity & Border Arrival for the East Africa Tourist Visa
The East Africa Tourist Visa processing has no SLA published by DCIC; user reports indicate 3 to 7 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel. The approval letter is emailed to the applicant; print a hard copy though some officers accept a phone screen display. The letter includes a barcode and is valid for your stated travel dates; if dates shift significantly, reapply with an updated itinerary.
The East Africa Tourist Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue (not from first entry) with multiple entries within Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda only. It is non-renewable and non-extendable; it expires immediately upon exit from the EAC bloc. If the portal flags defective documents, use the status-check tool to identify the issue and re-upload corrected documents without paying a second fee.
Applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa from the UK
The East Africa Tourist Visa application via Uganda requires UK passport holders to submit all paperwork online through visas.immigration.go.ug. The UK is not an East African Community member state, so every British traveller needs a visa. The portal charges in USD: the statutory fee is USD 100 (approximately £78-82 GBP depending on the exchange rate at payment).
UK-issued Visa and Mastercard are accepted on the portal. 3-D Secure authentication is likely required; if your bank declines the transaction, contact your bank to whitelist immigration.go.ug before reattempting. The UK Embassy has no role in the process. Third-party agencies can handle the process (optional). The statutory fee stays USD 100.
Submit your East Africa Tourist Visa application at least 2 weeks before departure. For UK 10-year passports, the 6-month validity rule counts from the passport expiry date, not the issue date.
FAQ: East Africa Visa Apply Uganda Process
How much does the East Africa Tourist Visa cost from the UK?
USD 100 statutory fee + bank surcharge (rate undisclosed). Agency service fees (e.g., £149.95) are separate. Estimate: £78-82 GBP depending on exchange rate.
Can I apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa if I enter Kenya first instead of Uganda?
No. You must apply through the portal of your first entry country into the EAC bloc. If Kenya is your first stop, use Kenya’s eVisa portal at evisa.go.ke. If Rwanda is first, use irembo.gov.rw.
How long does processing take after submitting on the Ugandan portal?
No official SLA exists; user reports indicate 3-7 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before travel.
Do children need their own East Africa Tourist Visa application?
Yes. Each traveller, including infants and children, requires a separate application and a separate USD 100 fee. Upload an unabridged birth certificate for each child. If only one parent is travelling with the child, upload a consent affidavit from the absent parent.
Can I get my EATV biometrics captured at any Uganda border post?
Biometric capture: Entebbe and Malaba, Busia, Katuna land borders. Verify current posts via @DCICUg.
How do I fix a rejected or incomplete application on the portal?
Log in with your 6-digit reference number, use the status-check tool, re-upload corrected documents – no second fee.
Can I use my phone to show the approval letter at Entebbe airport?
Immigration officers accept printed or phone-screen approval letters; a printed copy is the safer backup.
What file formats and sizes does the portal accept for document uploads?
The portal typically accepts PDF and JPEG file formats. Aim for passport scans under 1 MB. Compress images without reducing text readability.
Can I apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa if I hold dual UK-Ugandan nationality?
Ugandan nationals are East African Community citizens and do not need the East Africa Tourist Visa. Enter Uganda on your Ugandan passport. The EATV is intended for foreign tourists only.
What happens if my East Africa Tourist Visa is approved but my travel dates change?
The approval letter is valid for your stated travel dates. If dates shift significantly, reapply with an updated itinerary and return ticket rather than risk issues at the border.
Quick Summary: To complete the East Africa visa apply Uganda process, visit visas.immigration.go.ug, create an account, select “Joint Tourist Visa,” upload required documents (passport, photo, yellow fever certificate, return ticket, itinerary), pay the USD 100 fee online, and wait 3-7 business days for your approval letter by email. Upon arrival in Uganda, complete biometric capture at Entebbe airport or a major land border to receive your visa sticker.
