The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) costs USD 100, covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days with multiple entry. The East Africa eVisa passport rules require your passport to be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date, contain a minimum of 2 blank visa pages, and include a colour-scanned bio-data page for upload.
Last updated: 9 September 2026. Based on East African Community visa guidelines. Rules may change; verify with the relevant immigration portal before applying.
EATV Overview & Passport Validity Rule
The East Africa eVisa passport rules require your passport to remain valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure date from the region. The EATV covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, costs USD 100, and permits multiple entry for 90 days from the date of issue. Tourism only; employment prohibited. Non-renewable, non-extendable; 5-day overstay grace period in Rwanda.
The East Africa eVisa passport requirements calculate validity from your departure date, not your application or first-entry date. Worked example: if you depart East Africa on 15 March 2027, your passport must remain valid until at least 15 September 2027.
Airlines enforce this rule via IATA Timatic, verifying your valid travel document at check-in. UK passport holders should check expiry using the HM Passport Office online validity checker. Renew if expiry is within 9 months of travel; the USD 100 fee is non-refundable.
| Rule | Requirement | Enforcement Point |
|---|---|---|
| Passport validity | At least 6 months beyond departure date | Airline check-in (IATA Timatic) + immigration at port of entry |
| Blank pages | Minimum 2 consecutive blank visa pages | Immigration at port of entry |
| Bio-data page scan | Colour, 300 DPI+, MRZ visible, PDF/JPEG, under 2 MB | Online portal during application |
| Supporting documents | Passport photo + Yellow Fever certificate + return ticket + itinerary | Online portal during application |
Kenya now operates a separate Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) (etakenya.go.ke, from USD 30) for Kenya-only travel. The EATV covers all three EAC Partner States jointly; apply via the Uganda portal (visas.immigration.go.ug) or Rwanda portal (irembo.gov.rw).
Blank Passport Pages Requirement
Under the East Africa eVisa passport rules, a full Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda circuit generates up to 6 entry/exit stamps, requiring a minimum of 2 consecutive blank visa pages. Amendment and observation pages at the back of UK passports do not count toward this minimum.
Each border crossing (air or land) produces one entry + one exit stamp; a full three-country circuit yields six. Pages with existing stickers or ink marks are not blank. The East Africa eVisa passport rules count only numbered visa pages; unnumbered amendment pages (post-Brexit burgundy/blue) do not count. You cannot add pages abroad at a port of entry.
| Itinerary | Entries | Exits | Stamps Needed | Recommended Blank Pages |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya only | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Kenya + Uganda | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2-3 |
| Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda | 3 | 3 | 6 | 3 |
Bio-Data Page Upload & Supporting Documents
The East Africa eVisa passport rules specify that your passport bio-data page must be uploaded as a clear scan in colour at minimum 300 DPI with the Machine-Readable Zone (MRZ) fully visible, uncropped, and free of glare. Use PDF/JPEG, under 2 MB.
Place flat on scanner
Do not photograph it at an angle.
Scan in colour mode
Black and white is not accepted.
Ensure full visibility
Entire page and MRZ uncropped.
Do not use flash
Causes glare on the laminate.
The East Africa eVisa passport rules also require four supporting documents: a passport-style digital photo (white or off-white background, taken within 6 months, full face front view, no tinted glasses; do not scan the photo from your passport), a copy of your Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate (required when arriving from an endemic country), a return or onward ticket, and a travel itinerary with hotel bookings.
Non-Compliance Consequences & First Entry Point Rule
If your passport does not comply with East Africa eVisa passport rules, airlines will deny boarding via IATA Timatic. At check-in, less than 6 months’ validity or fewer than 2 blank pages = boarding refusal; a rejected EATV application loses the non-refundable USD 100 fee.
| Severity | Trigger | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-departure | Passport expires within 6 months of departure | Airline denies boarding (IATA Timatic) |
| Pre-departure | Fewer than 2 blank visa pages | Airline may deny boarding; immigration refuses entry |
| At border | Passport scan fails upload standards | EATV rejected; USD 100 fee non-refundable |
| In-country | Overstay beyond 90 days | Fines, deportation, potential re-entry ban |
The East Africa eVisa passport rules also mandate that your first physical entry must be the country whose portal you used to apply.
| Scenario | Applied via | Fly into | Valid? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flying to Kigali | Rwanda (irembo.gov.rw) | Kigali International Airport | Yes |
| Flying to Nairobi | Rwanda (irembo.gov.rw) | Jomo Kenyatta Airport | No |
| Overland from Tanzania | Rwanda (irembo.gov.rw) | Busia/Mutukula border | No |
Your EATV may be treated as invalid, requiring a separate visa purchase at the port of entry.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How many blank passport pages do I need for the East Africa Tourist Visa in 2026?
The East Africa eVisa passport rules require 2 consecutive blank visa pages; Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda = up to 6 stamps; UK amendment pages don’t count.
Can I apply for an EATV if my passport expires in 5 months?
No. The East Africa eVisa passport rules require 6 months validity beyond departure. Renew before applying; the USD 100 fee is non-refundable.
What format should my passport bio-data page scan be for the East Africa eVisa?
Colour PDF/JPEG, min. 300 DPI, MRZ uncropped, under 2 MB.
What happens if I fly into Kenya but applied for my EATV through Rwanda?
Your EATV may be invalid. Enter through the issuing country first; otherwise you may need a separate visa or face refusal at the port of entry.
Do I need a separate EATV for each of my children?
Yes. Every traveller, including infants, holding their own passport requires a separate EATV application and bio-data page upload. Children listed on a parent’s passport may not need a separate visa; confirm with the relevant immigration portal.
I hold dual nationality – which passport do I present at immigration?
Present the exact same passport used during the online EATV application. The passport number is embedded in the eVisa approval letter. Switching passports invalidates the visa.
Are emergency or temporary passports accepted for the East Africa eVisa?
Machine-readable emergency passports are generally accepted. Handwritten documents lacking an MRZ may not pass automated verification. Contact the relevant immigration authority before applying.
What if my passport is damaged – will it be accepted?
Damage obscuring the photo, MRZ, or personal data fields may result in refusal. Peeling laminate, water damage, or detached pages are red flags at biometric gates.
I renewed my passport after submitting my EATV application – what should I do?
You must re-apply with the new passport details. An EATV cannot be transferred between passports. The original USD 100 fee is non-refundable; renew before applying.
Does the East Africa Tourist Visa guarantee entry at the border?
No. An EATV is not the final authority to enter. An Immigration Officer at the port of entry may refuse entry if you fail to meet requirements.
