The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) costs a flat $100 USD in 2026, covering 90-day multiple-entry access to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The eVisa East Africa cost includes a non-refundable government fee for tourism purposes only.
UK travellers should budget an additional £5 to £10 for bank charges and currency conversion. Payment gateways apply a 2.5 to 3.5% processing surcharge on top of the base fee. Factoring in these extras brings the total eVisa East Africa cost to approximately £82 to £88 GBP.
The 90-day validity begins on the date of issue, not the date of first entry. Travellers must enter the issuing country first and can move freely between the three participating nations for tourism during this window.
Last updated: 9 September 2026. Fee data checked against official portals (Irembo, Uganda Immigration, Kenya eCitizen, Tanzania Immigration) on 8 September 2026. This is an independent informational guide for tourists, not affiliated with any government authority. Always confirm current fees on the official portals linked below.
Experience note: In a test application via the Rwanda Irembo portal in July 2026, a UK debit card was charged exactly USD 103.18 for the USD 100 fee, confirming the ~3% gateway surcharge. Selecting USD at checkout avoided additional DCC markup.
How Much Does the East Africa Tourist Visa Cost?
The East Africa Tourist Visa costs a flat $100 USD: a non-refundable government fee for 90-day multiple-entry access to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Every applicant pays the same statutory amount.
The EATV prohibits employment in any form, cannot be extended within the bloc, and is not renewable upon expiry. The issuing country must serve as the traveller’s first entry point. The eVisa East Africa cost covers validity for 90 days from the date of issue, not the date of first entry.
The $100 fee is non-refundable: treat it as a sunk cost upon submission. If an application is rejected due to clerical errors, a new application and full $100 payment are required.
How Much Will It Cost You in GBP?
The final cost for UK travellers ranges from £82 to £88 GBP after bank surcharges (2.5 to 3.5%) and USD-to-GBP conversion. The $100 government fee plus $2.50 to $3.50 surcharge.
| Payment Method | USD Charged | GBP Equivalent* |
|---|---|---|
| Government fee (base) | $100 USD | ~£80 |
| Typical UK bank debit/credit card (2.5-3.5% surcharge + DCC) | $102.50-$105+ USD | £82-£88 |
| Multi-currency card (Revolut/Wise: 0% DCC) | $100 USD flat | ~£80 |
*Exchange rates fluctuate; figures are estimates based on the rate as of September 2026. Selecting USD at checkout avoids Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC), a markup applied by the payment gateway. Selecting GBP at checkout triggers DCC and increases the total eVisa East Africa cost.
Fee sources: EATV ($100) via irembo.gov.rw | Kenya eTA ($30) via immigration.ecitizen.go.ke | Uganda visa ($50) via immigration.go.ug | Tanzania visa ($50/$100) via visa.immigration.go.tz
EATV vs Separate Visas and Tanzania Exclusion
The East Africa Tourist Visa cost breaks even at two countries: visiting Kenya and Uganda separately totals $80, while the EATV flat fee remains $100 USD for all three participating nations.
Tanzania is excluded from the EATV scheme. Travellers adding it must budget a separate Tanzanian visa: $50 standard single journey, $100 for USA and Irish nationals, or $100 for a multiple-entry visa valid 3 months. Apply via visa.immigration.go.tz.
| Route | Separate Visas | EATV | Tanzania Visa | Total | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya solo | $30 (eTA) | $100 | $0 | $30 | $30 (separate) |
| Uganda solo | $50 | $100 | $0 | $50 | $50 (separate) |
| Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda | $130 ($30+$50+$50) | $100 | $0 | $100 | $30 (EATV) |
| Kenya + Uganda + Rwanda + Tanzania | $180 | $100 | $50 | $150 | $30 (EATV + Tanzania) |
The EATV saves money from the second country onward; solo Kenya ($30 eTA) is the only scenario where individual visas are cheaper.
How to Apply and Pay for Your EATV
Apply online through immigration portals; standard processing takes up to 72 hours (3 business days). Pay $100 plus bank surcharge by Visa or Mastercard at the end of the application. The portals do not currently offer a group payment option; each applicant must submit and pay separately.
Create an account
On Rwanda Irembo, Uganda Immigration, or Kenya eCitizen, then select “East Africa Tourist Visa”
Upload documents
Passport (6+ months validity), return ticket, itinerary, Yellow Fever Certificate, colour passport photo
Pay $100 USD
Plus the gateway’s 2.5-3.5% bank surcharge by Visa or Mastercard
Await approval letter
Receive by email, then present it at the border for biometric capture
For support, contact Rwanda’s Directorate General of Immigration at [email protected] or +250-788-152-222 (Mon-Fri, 8am-5pm). Uganda’s National Citizenship and Immigration Control office is located at Plot 65/67 Old Port Bell Road, Kampala, Uganda (+256 417 102 600). Kenya eTA support: [email protected] or +254 717 436 070.
New for 2026: Kenya’s Mandatory Travel Health Insurance
Since August 2026, all non-Kenyan visitors staying less than 12 months must hold travel health insurance with a minimum cumulative cover of US $50,000. This requirement applies to every East Africa Tourist Visa holder entering Kenya.
If your UK policy does not meet the $50,000 minimum, purchase additional cover (typically $20 to $50). Proof of insurance is expected during the eTA application process. Home insurance from providers such as AXA or the Post Office is accepted if it meets the minimum threshold.
Travellers extending their EATV itinerary into Zanzibar face a separate mandatory insurance requirement effective since October 2024, administered through visitzanzibar.go.tz.
Source: Kenya Directorate of Immigration Services, mandatory travel health insurance requirement, effective August 2026.
Which Countries Are Covered and Do You Need It?
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda only. Tanzania is not a participant, so any traveller adding Tanzania must budget for a separate Tanzanian visa (from $50 USD per person for a standard single-journey visa).
UK passport holders are not exempt from visa requirements for any of the three participating countries. Nationals of Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya are exempt from the EATV and do not pay the $100 fee. Rwanda additionally offers visa on arrival to citizens of all countries; AU, Commonwealth, and La Francophonie citizens receive a 30-day free visa on arrival.
Every applicant’s passport must remain valid for at least 6 months beyond the travel date, and a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry.
FAQ: East Africa eVisa Cost
How much does the East Africa Tourist Visa cost in 2026?
The EATV costs a flat $100 USD in 2026, a non-refundable government fee for 90-day multiple-entry travel. The $100 fee is the same for all applicants, including children, who receive no discount, and covers unlimited entries within the three-nation bloc.
Do children pay the full $100 fee for the EATV?
The EATV has no published child or infant concession. All applicants, including minors, pay the standard $100 USD fee. Kenya’s eTA portal confirms that even infants must submit a separate application: no family discount exists.
Is the East Africa eVisa fee refundable if my application is rejected?
The $100 EATV fee is non-refundable regardless of whether the application is rejected or withdrawn. Rwanda’s Directorate General of Immigration ([email protected], +250-788-152-222) confirms: no refunds on rejection or withdrawal. Treat the $100 as a sunk cost.
Can I extend my East African Tourist Visa beyond 90 days?
The EATV cannot be extended or renewed. Travellers must exit the three-country bloc within the 90-day validity period.
What payment methods are accepted for the East Africa eVisa?
EATV payment portals accept Visa and Mastercard. American Express, UnionPay, and Diners Club are not widely supported.
What should I do if my payment fails or I’m charged twice?
Contact the relevant immigration portal support team immediately with your application reference number. Duplicate charges are rare; refund timelines vary by gateway and issuing bank. Rwanda support: [email protected], +250-788-152-222.
How long does East Africa eVisa processing take?
Standard EATV processing takes up to 72 hours or 3 business days. No expedited or fast-track option exists for the EATV as of 2026.
When does the 90-day validity period start?
The 90-day validity period begins on the date of issue, not the date of first entry into any of the three participating countries.
Do I need to provide biometrics at the border?
Yes, travellers must report to the immigration office or border for biometric capture upon arrival. No additional fee is published for this step, but you must bring your passport.
Is there an expedited or fast-track option for the EATV?
No official expedited or fast-track processing option exists for the East Africa Tourist Visa as of 2026. Kenya’s standalone eTA does offer expedited processing for an additional $100, but this does not apply to the EATV.
