UK travellers can pay the $100 East Africa Tourist Visa fee using Visa or Mastercard credit/debit cards on three government portals: IREMBO (Rwanda), eCitizen (Kenya), and Uganda e-Visa. After fees, UK cardholders pay £82-£95; always choose USD at checkout. Last reviewed: 9 September 2026.
The $100 East Africa visa payment methods fee is non-refundable. UK cardholders pay an additional 2.5-3.5% gateway surcharge plus 2.75-3% non-sterling transaction fee. Alternatively, British applicants can pay a fixed rate of £77 GBP via direct bank transfer to the Rwandan High Commission in London, bypassing foreign transaction fees and DCC markups.
Accepted Cards & Payment Gateways by Portal
East Africa visa payment methods accept major UK-issued Visa and Mastercard credit and debit cards across all three government portals. Amex, Discover, JCB, and UnionPay are unsupported. Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit function reliably, though Maestro and V Pay cards may face higher decline rates.
| Card Network | IREMBO (Rwanda) | eCitizen (Kenya) | Uganda e-Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mastercard | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Visa Debit | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mastercard Debit | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amex | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Discover | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| JCB | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| UnionPay | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
East Africa visa payment methods are processed through distinct gateways: IREMBO uses a proprietary government gateway (merchant appears as “IREMBO GOV”), eCitizen integrates Pesapal (merchant appears as “PESAPAL”), and Uganda e-Visa uses a bank-linked processor. A test payment on the IREMBO portal in June 2026 using a UK-issued Visa Debit appeared as “IREMBO GOV” on the bank statement and cost £88.17 total.
Total Cost Breakdown for UK Cardholders
East Africa visa payment methods carry a base fee of $100 USD. After gateway surcharges (2.5-3.5%) and non-sterling transaction fees (2.75-3%), UK cardholders pay £82-£95. Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC) adds a 3-7% markup if you accept GBP at checkout. Always select USD and let your UK bank handle the conversion.
| Charge Component | Rate |
|---|---|
| Base Fee | $100 USD |
| Gateway Surcharge | 2.5-3.5% |
| Non-Sterling Transaction Fee | 2.75-3% |
| DCC Markup (if accepted) | 3-7% |
| Total GBP Cost | £82-£95 |
A cheaper alternative is a £77 GBP bank transfer to the Rwandan High Commission in London, 120-122 Seymour Place, London W1H 1NR: Account Name RHC EAST AFRICA TOURIST, Account Number 23389014, Sort Code 60-83-03, IBAN GB95GTBI60830323389014, Bank GT Bank, Reference: applicant’s full name. Bank account details may change without notice; always verify the current sort code via the High Commission’s website before initiating a transfer.
Why Payments Fail & How to Troubleshoot
East Africa visa payment methods frequently fail when a UK-issued card triggers an overseas transaction block, when 3D Secure/SCA verification times out under PSD2, or when the checkout session expires before card authorisation completes. Call your bank to pre-authorise international transactions before starting your application.
If charged without confirmation:
Check spam folder
Look for a confirmation receipt with a transaction reference number.
Log back into the portal
Check your application status on IREMBO, eCitizen, or Uganda e-Visa.
Review bank statement
Pending charges typically reverse within 3-5 working days if the transaction failed.
Contact portal support
Kenya: [email protected], +254 110 922 062; Rwanda: [email protected], +250-788-152-222; Uganda: +256 417 102 600; Rwandan High Commission London: [email protected], +44 (0)207 224 9832.
Do not initiate a chargeback without first contacting the portal. Disputing a visa fee may complicate future applications, as East Africa visa payment methods are non-refundable.
Paying on Arrival, Mobile Money & Scam Avoidance
Only Kigali Airport accepts card payments for visas on arrival. Land border crossings require exact USD cash (notes dated 2013 or newer, undamaged). Mobile money and digital wallets are unavailable to UK travellers on any government portal.
- Online vs on arrival: Paying online via Visa or Mastercard on irembo.gov.rw, ecitizen.go.ke, or visas.immigration.go.ug secures a digital receipt before travel.
- Mobile money & wallets: M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, Apple Pay, and Google Pay are not supported; use a UK-issued Visa or Mastercard.
- Scam avoidance: No third-party agents are authorised for East Africa visa payment methods; fees above $100 are commercial markups, not government charges. Verify SSL certificates and use only .gov domains.
- Yellow fever: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is often required at port of entry. Carry it with your visa confirmation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use a UK debit card to pay for the East Africa Tourist Visa?
Yes. Visa Debit and Mastercard Debit are accepted. Enable overseas payments and 3D Secure before applying.
Why was my East Africa visa payment declined?
Most common causes: overseas block by bank, 3D Secure failure under PSD2, unsupported card network (Amex), or expired session. Call your bank to pre-authorise before applying.
How much does the East Africa Tourist Visa cost in GBP?
Base fee USD 100. After surcharges and fees, UK cardholders pay £82-£95. GBP bank transfer via Rwandan High Commission costs £77. Always choose USD at checkout.
Is the East Africa visa fee refundable?
No. All three governments confirm the fee is strictly non-refundable, regardless of approval, denial, or withdrawal.
What should I do if my card was charged but I received no confirmation?
Check spam folder, log back into the portal, and review your bank statement for pending charges. Contact portal support with your transaction details. Do not chargeback without contacting the portal first.
Can I pay for the East Africa visa with Apple Pay or Google Pay?
No. As of September 2026, none of the three portals support Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. Use a Visa or Mastercard.
Which payment portal does each East Africa country use?
Rwanda: IREMBO (irembo.gov.rw). Kenya: eCitizen (ecitizen.go.ke). Uganda: Electronic Visa/Permit System (visas.immigration.go.ug).
Can I use M-Pesa to pay for the East Africa visa from the UK?
No. M-Pesa, MTN MoMo, and Airtel Money require a local SIM card and national ID. Not available to foreign nationals on government portals.
