Last updated: 9 September 2026. The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) costs USD 100, covers Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda for 90 days, and requires a specific set of supporting documents to avoid application rejection. Below is the 2026 checklist of every document UK-based travellers need to gather before submitting their application.
Gathering the exact East Africa visa required documents listed below prevents application rejection. UK applicants file via IREMBO, the Uganda Immigration portal, or the Kenya eTA platform. The EAC Tourist Visa framework is published at eac.int; all requirements below are cross-checked against this framework and individual immigration portals. This independent portal is not a government service.
Passport, Photo & Application Submission
Your passport must have at least 6 months’ validity from your intended arrival date and at least 1 blank page.
The East Africa visa supporting documents checklist requires a colour scan of your passport’s bio-data page with the machine-readable strip (MRZ) fully visible and uncropped. A separate passport-size photograph taken within the last 6 months is mandatory: white background, ears visible, neutral expression. Digital uploads should be JPEG or PNG format, typically 200 KB-2 MB, at 300 DPI minimum. Embassy submissions require 2 printed photos.
- Passport: 6-month validity, 1+ blank page, colour bio-data scan with MRZ visible
- Application portal: IREMBO (Rwanda), Uganda Immigration Portal, or Kenya eTA
- Processing time: 3-7 working days online; 7 working days via Rwanda High Commission London
Log in
Access your chosen application portal.
Accept terms
Review and agree to the application terms and conditions.
Select visa type
Choose the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) option.
Complete form
Fill in all required personal and travel details.
Upload required documents
Submit all East Africa visa required documents in the specified formats.
Pay fee
Pay the non-refundable USD 100 visa fee.
Receive six-digit reference number
Save your reference number for tracking. Approval is emailed and biometrics are captured at entry.
Return Ticket, Itinerary & Visa Rules
The East Africa visa supporting documents checklist mandates a confirmed return or onward flight booking departing from an EAC member state, along with a detailed travel itinerary showing movements between Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda. The EATV is a multiple-entry visa valid for 90 days from the date of issue (not from first entry), meaning you must complete all travel within that 90-day window. It covers Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda ONLY for tourism purposes only, and the issuing country must be your first port of entry into the EAC bloc. The visa auto-invalidates if you exit the three-country bloc and is non-renewable; re-entry requires a new application and fee. Employment under the EATV is prohibited.
| Ticket Type | Accepted Proof | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Flight (return) | Airline confirmation email or e-ticket PDF | BA confirmation LHR to NBO to LHR |
| Flight (open-jaw) | Both segments in one itinerary | Into Nairobi, out of Kigali |
| International bus | Cross-border coach booking confirmation | Nairobi to Dar es Salaam shuttle |
| Self-drive | Itinerary with border-crossing date and name | Gatuna border, Rwanda to Uganda |
The East Africa visa supporting documents checklist accepts overland departure proof at crossings such as Namanga, Holili, and Gatuna. Open-jaw bookings are permitted provided the itinerary shows entry via the issuing country and exit from a member state. The day-by-day itinerary must match flight and hotel dates.
Accommodation Proof & Travelling with Minors
Accommodation proof takes one of three forms: hotel confirmation, host invitation letter, or multi-stop itinerary.
Hotel Booking Confirmation
The EATV supporting documents checklist mandates hotel confirmations showing the applicant’s name, property name, full address, and check-in/check-out dates. Booking.com, Airbnb, or direct hotel email confirmations are accepted, provided dates match the travel itinerary and flight dates.
Host Invitation Letter
When staying with a resident, the East Africa visa supporting documents checklist requires a signed, dated invitation letter stating the relationship, duration, and address. The host must attach their national ID or residence permit copy and proof of address (recent utility bill or bank statement). The Rwanda High Commission London specifies “Passport/ID of host (Rwandan or resident).”
Backpacker & Multi-Stop Itinerary
Travellers without fixed nightly bookings should submit a day-by-day itinerary with named properties per night. At least the first night must carry a confirmed booking reference; subsequent nights may be marked “TBC” with a brief explanation.
Documents for Travelling with Minors
Each child needs their own passport, an unabridged (full) birth certificate, and, if only one parent travels, a notarised parental consent letter accompanied by that parent’s passport bio-data page copy. Adoption or guardianship court orders are also required. Both parents’ passport copies should be included. Any practising solicitor or notary public in the UK can notarise consent letters.
Financial Requirements & Health Documents
The East Africa visa supporting documents checklist requires applicants to submit evidence of sufficient funds and a non-refundable EATV fee of USD 100, alongside a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate issued at least 10 days before arrival.
Applicants must provide a recent bank statement (last 30 days). According to the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office travel advice, the recommended daily budget is USD 50-100; EAC immigration has not published a formal minimum. At the Rwanda High Commission London (120-122 Seymour Place, London, W1H 1NR), the fee equivalent is £77.00, paid via direct bank deposit to account 23389014, sort code 60-83-03 (account name: RHC EAST AFRICA TOURIST, IBAN: GB95GTBI60830323389014, GT Bank). A screenshot showing amount, date, and account details must be uploaded as proof of payment. The fee is non-refundable regardless of outcome.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Proof of funds | Bank statement (last 30 days), credit card statement, or sponsor letter + sponsor’s bank statement |
| Visa fee | USD 100 statutory; £77 at Rwanda High Commission London (non-refundable) |
| Yellow fever certificate | ICVP (“yellow card”); administered at least 10 days before arrival; lifetime validity after single dose; UKHSA centres or private clinics in UK |
| Kenya travel insurance | Mandatory from August 2026; minimum USD 50,000 cover for non-Kenyan visitors under 12 months |
| Zanzibar travel insurance | Mandatory since October 2024; Zanzibar is Tanzania, not part of EATV; portal: visitzanzibar.go.tz |
Rwanda and Uganda do not mandate insurance, though many UK policies already meet the minimum cover. The EATV application must be completed in English; any bank charges in addition to the visa fee are borne by the applicant.
FAQ
How recent must my supporting documents be?
Bank statements: within 30 days. Yellow fever certificates: issued at least 10 days before arrival. Hotel bookings: must cover exact planned dates.
My documents are not in English, do I need a translation?
Yes. Provide a certified English translation alongside originals; no apostille is explicitly required, but verify with the relevant embassy or consulate.
Do I need to apply for separate visas for Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda?
No. The EATV is a single multiple-entry visa covering all three countries for up to 90 days. You pay one fee of USD 100 and must enter the issuing country first.
What documents do I need when travelling with children under 18?
Each child needs their own passport, an unabridged birth certificate, and if only one parent is travelling, a notarised parental consent letter from the absent parent. Carry physical and digital copies.
Is travel health insurance mandatory for an East Africa visa in 2026?
From August 2026, Kenya mandates travel health insurance with minimum USD 50,000 cover for all non-Kenyan visitors. Rwanda and Uganda do not officially require it. Check your UK policy for EAC coverage thresholds.
What happens at the border after my visa is approved?
Present your passport and printed e-visa; officers capture fingerprints and photo. Carry physical copies of all EATV supporting documents as border officers may request them.
How far in advance should I apply for Kenya eTA?
Apply at least 2 weeks before your trip; you can submit up to 90 days in advance. The Kenya eTA typically processes in around 3 business days.
Do I need a visa for Rwanda from the UK?
UK citizens require a visa for Rwanda. Apply online via IREMBO, at the Rwanda High Commission London, or get a visa on arrival for USD 50. The EATV is also an option if visiting Kenya and Uganda.
