East Africa eVisa troubleshooting helps British travellers resolve portal glitches, upload errors, and processing delays. This East Africa eVisa troubleshooting guide gives UK applicants actionable fixes for broken forms, upload failures, and delays.
Last updated: September 2026. In our experience helping British travellers, most portal glitches and upload errors stem from browser incompatibility and file size limits rather than portal faults.
What the East Africa Tourist Visa Covers
The East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100 USD, covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days with multiple-entry access, while Tanzania requires a separate visa. The fee is non-refundable and subject to an additional bank charge. The first-entry rule requires you to enter from the issuing country.
| Visa Type | Countries | Cost | Validity |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Africa Tourist Visa | Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda | $100 USD | 90 days |
| Tanzania Ordinary eVisa | Tanzania only | $50 USD | Up to 90 days |
| Tanzania Multiple-Entry eVisa | Tanzania only | $100 USD | 1 year |
Tanzania is not part of the EATV bloc, so a separate Tanzania eVisa is mandatory. The EATV is invalidated upon exiting the bloc. Foreign residents with valid work permits and citizens of Kenya, Rwanda, and Uganda can use the free Interstate Pass at borders instead. East Africa eVisa troubleshooting starts with identifying your first-entry country to select the correct portal.
Which Issue Are You Facing?
Use this East Africa eVisa troubleshooting routing to find your fix:
- Portal won’t load, freezes, or shows blank fields – Portal Glitches
- Document upload fails silently or rejects file – Upload Errors
- Application pending beyond 7 business days – Processing Delays
- Payment declined, duplicate charge, or OTP timeout – Processing Delays
Portal Glitches: How to Fix Broken Application Forms
Session timeouts, frozen forms, and blank screens stem from browser incompatibility – clear cache or use Incognito. This East Africa eVisa troubleshooting guide provides East Africa visa glitch fixes for each error type.
| Error Message | Likely Cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Session Expired | Inactivity timeout | Refresh and restart application |
| Form Loop | Cached form data conflict | Clear cache and cookies; use Incognito mode |
| Blank Screen | JavaScript failing to load | Switch to Chrome or Firefox |
| Validation Error | Unsupported browser rendering | Disable ad-blockers; update browser |
| Page Freeze | Heavy portal traffic | Wait 10 minutes; retry on desktop |
The East Africa Tourist Visa application runs on country-specific portals: Kenya (evisa.go.ke), Uganda (visas.immigration.go.ug), and Rwanda (irembo.gov.rw). Each may exhibit unique quirks during your East Africa eVisa troubleshooting process.
Browser Compatibility & Session Timeout Fixes
Use Chrome or Firefox; avoid Safari and mobile browsers. Incognito bypasses cache conflicts. Clear cookies and disable ad-blockers to prevent script blocks. These East Africa eVisa troubleshooting tips apply to all East Africa Tourist Visa portals.
Upload Errors: File Size, Format & Silent Failures
Upload errors occur when photo files exceed 250 KB or document files exceed 500 KB; compress uploads to JPG (photos) or PDF (documents) before submitting. These East Africa eVisa troubleshooting steps prevent the most common upload error.
Match every attachment to the portal’s specifications. The East Africa Tourist Visa application requires all documents to meet these thresholds before immigration review.
| Document Type | Format | Max Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport photo | JPG | 250 KB | Standalone photo – do NOT scan the one in your passport |
| Travel itinerary | 500 KB | Mandatory attachment | |
| Return ticket | 500 KB | Mandatory attachment |
Silent failures – no error message, file simply doesn’t attach. Use TinyPNG or SmallPDF as your East Africa eVisa troubleshooting tool to compress files under the limits for the East Africa Tourist Visa before retrying. For East Africa visa portal help, refer to the checklist below.
Use this East Africa eVisa troubleshooting checklist before uploading:
- Passport-size photo taken within the past 6 months
- Colour, full face front view, plain white/off-white background
- Normal street attire – no hat or headgear obscuring hairline
- Prescription glasses acceptable; dark/tinted lenses are not unless medically required
- Passport must have at least 6 months remaining validity
Health Document Upload Errors (Yellow Fever)
Yellow Fever vaccination certificates cause frequent upload rejections when photographed rather than scanned. Save the certificate as a PDF under 500 KB. Uganda requires the certificate for all travellers aged 1 year and older. If the portal rejects the file, re-scan at a lower resolution and retry.
Processing Delays: Status Check, Escalation & Emergency Options
Standard processing takes 3-7 business days. After 7 days, check the self-service portal or contact immigration. This East Africa eVisa troubleshooting hotline section provides escalation contacts for the East Africa Tourist Visa when a processing delay exceeds expectations.
Day 1-7: Wait
Check email and spam daily
Day 7-10: Status lookup
Use self-service portal with your 6-digit reference number
Day 10+: Call immigration
Provide reference number, name, passport number, submission date
| Country | Phone | |
|---|---|---|
| Uganda | +256 417 102 600 | N/A (portal contact form) |
| Kenya | +254 202 222 022 / +254 110 922 063 / +254 110 922 064 | [email protected] |
| Kenya (payment) | +254 110 922 062 | N/A |
| Rwanda | +250 722 17 29 74 | [email protected] |
NCIC Uganda: Plot 65/67, Old Port Bell Road, Kampala, Uganda.
Check Your Application Status Without Waiting for Email
Self-service lookups: Uganda at visas.immigration.go.ug, Kenya at evisa.go.ke, Rwanda at irembo.gov.rw. Enter your 6-digit reference number to view status.
Payment Failures & Double Billing
3D Secure timeouts affect UK cardholders. Check your bank statement before re-submitting; the $100 USD fee is non-refundable. Use a different card or ask your bank to whitelist the gateway. Post-payment edits are blocked – errors may require a new application at full cost. This East Africa eVisa troubleshooting service covers all payment failure scenarios.
Emergency Boarding & Border Override Options
If your East Africa Tourist Visa approval hasn’t arrived, Tanzania offers visa on arrival at $50 USD (ordinary) or $100 USD (multiple entry) at airports and borders. Note: Zanzibar requires mandatory travel insurance. The immigration officer at the port of entry makes the final entry decision.
FAQ
This East Africa eVisa troubleshooting FAQ covers common questions for 2026, including portal glitches, upload requirements, processing timelines, payment failures, and emergency border options.
Why is my East Africa eVisa application stuck on submitting?
Session timeouts or browser incompatibility usually cause this. Clear your browser cache and cookies, switch to Chrome or Firefox, and try Incognito mode. Disabling ad-blockers also resolves form loops and blank screens.
What file size and format are accepted for eVisa document uploads?
Photos must be JPG, max 250 KB. Documents like travel itineraries and return tickets must be PDF, max 500 KB. Use TinyPNG or SmallPDF to compress files before uploading.
How long does East Africa eVisa processing take in 2026?
Standard processing takes 3 to 7 business days. Peak season delays may extend to 10 to 14 days. Apply at least 2 weeks before departure.
What should I do if my eVisa payment fails or I am double-billed?
Check your bank statement for pending charges before re-submitting to avoid duplicate $100 USD fees, as the visa cost is non-refundable. Try a different card or contact your bank to whitelist the gateway.
Can I check my East Africa eVisa application status online?
Yes. Use the self-service status lookup portals with your 6-digit application reference number: visas.immigration.go.ug for Uganda, evisa.go.ke for Kenya, and irembo.gov.rw for Rwanda.
Which browser is best for the East Africa eVisa portal?
Chrome and Firefox are most reliable for East Africa eVisa troubleshooting. Avoid Safari and mobile browsers, as they cause form loops and session timeouts. Use Incognito mode to bypass cache conflicts.
What happens if my eVisa approval has not arrived before my flight?
Contact immigration directly using the escalation contacts provided. If processing exceeds 7 business days, request emergency processing. Tanzania offers visa on arrival at $50 USD (ordinary) or $100 USD (multiple entry) at airports and borders.
Do I need a separate visa for Tanzania if I have an East Africa Tourist Visa?
Yes. Tanzania is not part of the East Africa Tourist Visa bloc. You need a separate Tanzania eVisa costing $50 USD for single entry, valid up to 90 days.
How do I fix a typo in my eVisa application after payment?
Most portals do not allow edits after payment. You may need to reapply at full cost, as the $100 USD fee is non-refundable. Contact immigration support immediately to inquire about exceptions.
What is the exit invalidation rule for the East Africa Tourist Visa?
The exit invalidation rule means the East Africa Tourist Visa is void upon leaving the Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda bloc. Re-entry requires a new visa.
To troubleshoot East Africa eVisa issues in 2026, clear your browser cache, use Chrome or Incognito mode for portal glitches, compress files to under 250 KB (JPG) or 500 KB (PDF) for upload errors, and check your application status via the self-service portal. If delays exceed 7 business days, contact immigration directly.
