Reviewed by our UK travel editorial team against government immigration portals in September 2026. This is an informational guide – we are not affiliated with any government body.
The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is a $100 (~£79) multiple-entry e-visa covering Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for 90 days. British passport holders apply online through one of three government portals, with no embassy visit required.
To apply, select the portal matching your first entry country and prepare a valid passport with at least 6 months of validity, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, and a return ticket. The eVisa East Africa for UK citizens streamlines multi-country tourism travel across the region.
What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa & Which Visa Do You Need?
The East Africa Tourist Visa permits multiple entries within the bloc but expires upon exit to a non-member country; employment is prohibited. The issuing country must be your first entry point. Kenya-only trips require the separate Kenya eTA ($30).
The East Africa Tourist Visa ($100) saves 33% compared to three single-country visas ($150 total). Tanzania is not included and requires a separate visa. For Kenya-only travel, the Kenya eTA processes in around 3 business days through etakenya.go.ke. From August 2026, Kenya mandates travel health insurance (min. $50,000 cover).
One edge case: Rwanda grants Commonwealth citizens a free 30-day visa on arrival without prior application. For multi-country trips, apply via the portal matching your first entry point: visas.immigration.go.ug (Uganda), irembo.gov.rw (Rwanda), or etakenya.go.ke (Kenya).
EATV Eligibility for UK Citizens
British passport holders are eligible for the East Africa Tourist Visa provided the passport has at least 6 months validity from the date of entry and 1-2 blank pages.
British citizens must meet these criteria before applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa. All supporting documents must be in English, and applicants must hold a return or onward ticket. A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is also required for entry.
- Passport validity: at least 6 months beyond the intended entry date into Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda
- Blank pages: minimum 2 blank pages (per gov.uk guidance)
- Return/onward ticket: required at the time of application
- Document language: English only
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate: mandatory for travellers aged 1 year and older
Documents You Need – UK Applicant Checklist
UK applicants for the East Africa Tourist Visa need a passport bio-data scan, passport-style digital photo, yellow fever certificate, travel itinerary, and proof of return ticket. All documents must be in English and meet specific technical standards. For a complete document checklist, review the full requirements before starting your application.
- UK passport bio-data page scan – a clear scan or photograph of the information page; do not crop out the machine-readable strip along the bottom.
- Passport-style digital photograph – taken within the last 6 months, white background, submitted as a separate image (not a photo of your passport picture).
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate – mandatory for travellers aged 1 year and older; arrange this through an NHS yellow fever vaccination clinic before applying.
- Travel itinerary – must show movements between Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda, with intended entry and exit dates.
- Proof of accommodation – hotel bookings or a host letter covering your stay across the three countries.
- Return or onward ticket – a confirmed flight booking demonstrating departure from the East African region.
UK photo pitfall: standard booth photos often fail the East Africa Tourist Visa recency and background requirements.
Step-by-Step EATV Application from the UK
Apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa entirely online via visas.immigration.go.ug, irembo.gov.rw, or etakenya.go.ke, matching your first entry point. The eVisa East Africa for UK citizens process requires no embassy visit.
The Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control is located at Plot 65/67 Old Port Bell Road, Kampala, Uganda.
Log in and start
Access the portal, accept the disclaimer, and select “start new application”.
Select visa type
Choose the East Africa Tourist Visa category and sub-category.
Complete the form
Enter your details using the DD/MM/YYYY date format and standard UK address format. If self-employed, state this in the employer field.
Upload documents
Attach English-only files within the portal size limits.
Receive Reference ID
A six-digit Application Reference ID is automatically generated upon document upload.
Pay the fee
Pay the $100 fee via Visa or Mastercard. The approval letter is then emailed upon processing.
The first entry point must equal the issuing country: fly into Nairobi to use the Kenya portal, Entebbe for Uganda, and Kigali for Rwanda.
Cost, Payment & UK Card Experience
The East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100 (~£79), non-refundable, with UK banks typically adding 2-3% foreign currency conversion surcharges on USD transactions. For a detailed cost breakdown for UK travellers, including card surcharges and fee comparisons, see our dedicated guide. For comparison, the Kenya eTA costs ~$30 (~£24).
| Card Type | Accepted? | FX Fee Estimate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa / Mastercard (high-street banks) | Yes | 2-3% USD surcharge | 3-D Secure verification may trigger |
| Monzo / Revolut / Starling | Yes | Lower FX fees | Fewer conversion charges than high-street banks |
If a payment fails, retry on the same portal – the East Africa Tourist Visa fee remains $100 per attempt. A failed transaction does not generate an application reference. Confirm your card supports international USD payments before starting.
Processing Times & On-Arrival vs Pre-Applied
The East Africa Tourist Visa processing time takes 2-7 business days depending on the issuing country; UK applicants should allow 3-4 weeks as buffer. Timeline depends on the portal chosen:
| Portal | Typical Processing Time | Peak Season Warning |
|---|---|---|
| irembo.gov.rw (Rwanda) | 90 minutes – 2 weeks | Batch volume causes wider variance |
| etakenya.go.ke (Kenya) | 2-5 business days | Allow extra days during holidays |
| visas.immigration.go.ug (Uganda) | 3-7 business days | Peak season delays possible |
Based on UK applicant reports for the eVisa East Africa for UK citizens, Kenya portal approvals typically arrive within 2-5 business days. We recommend applying mid-week to avoid weekend processing delays. Apply 3-4 weeks before travel and avoid bank holiday weekends, when payment systems may lag. The East Africa Tourist Visa is also available on arrival at Nairobi, Entebbe, and Kigali airports, but pre-applying eliminates queue delays and approval uncertainty. Apply in advance for red-eye flights. For daytime Kigali arrivals, on-arrival takes ~5 minutes.
Border Entry Rules & Common Mistakes
British East Africa Tourist Visa holders must present a printed e-visa PDF at the border; biometric capture is required at the first entry point. Do not rely solely on a digital copy on your phone.
At land border crossings such as Katuna/Gatuna and Cyanika, officers may apply a biometric sticker rather than an e-paper stamp. The East Africa Tourist Visa expires upon exit from the region to a non-member country, and daily overstay fines apply beyond the 90-day validity window. Contact the local immigration office before your visa lapses to discuss rectification.
The most frequent UK applicant mistakes include: submitting a UK photo-booth picture that does not meet the white-background and recency specifications; travelling with a passport under the 6-month validity minimum; applying through the wrong country portal (first entry point must match the issuing country); confusing the DD/MM/YYYY date format on the application form; forgetting the Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate; and assuming the Kenya eTA (~$30) is equivalent to the EATV ($100).
Travelling With Children & Practical UK Tips
Every child needs their own passport and a separate East Africa Tourist Visa application – you cannot include a minor on a parent’s submission. For full details on visa requirements for minors, including consent forms and birth certificates, see our dedicated guide.
- Solo parents: carry a signed parental consent letter (downloadable template) plus the child’s full birth certificate. If a Child Arrangement Order applies, UK Family Court permission may be required before travel abroad.
- Self-drive: a UK International Driving Permit under the 1949 convention is needed for driving across Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda.
- Connectivity: SIM/eSIM registration is mandatory for UK visitors purchasing local mobile services.
- Consular jurisdiction: the British High Commission in Nairobi covers Kenya, Kampala covers Uganda, and Kigali covers Rwanda.
- Health: the East Africa Tourist Visa requires a Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate; consult NHS or Fit for Travel UK for malaria chemoprophylaxis guidance.
FAQ: East Africa Tourist Visa for British Passport Holders
Do UK citizens need an eTA for Kenya?
Yes, as of 2025 the Kenya eTA is separate from the East Africa Tourist Visa. If visiting Kenya only, apply for the eTA ($30) at etakenya.go.ke. If visiting all three countries, the East Africa Tourist Visa covers Kenya entry.
How much does the EATV cost for UK citizens in 2026?
The East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100 (~£79), non-refundable. UK banks may add 2 to 3% USD conversion surcharges. Fintech cards like Monzo or Revolut typically offer lower FX fees.
Can I apply with a British Emergency Travel Document?
Generally no for the online East Africa Tourist Visa process. Contact the specific issuing country’s immigration office to confirm whether an Emergency Travel Document is accepted before attempting to apply through their online portal.
What if I overstay the 90 days?
Daily fines apply for overstaying the East Africa Tourist Visa. Contact the local immigration office before the overstay occurs to discuss rectification procedures. Overstay at land borders may involve different protocols than airports.
Which British High Commission covers me?
Nairobi covers Kenya, Kampala covers Uganda, and Kigali covers Rwanda for East Africa Tourist Visa holders. Each retains diplomatic responsibility for UK citizens within its respective country.
Do I need travel insurance for the EATV?
Kenya requires minimum $50,000 travel health insurance from August 2026, verified via the eTA application. Uganda and Rwanda strongly recommend comprehensive travel insurance but do not mandate it for the East Africa Tourist Visa.
Can I extend my EATV beyond 90 days?
No. The East Africa Tourist Visa is not renewable and not extendable once issued. Upon exit from the East African region to a non-member country, the visa expires. You would need to submit a completely new application for future travel.
Is a visa on arrival available for British passport holders?
Yes, at select airports like Nairobi, Entebbe, and Kigali, but applying for the East Africa Tourist Visa online in advance is recommended to avoid queue delays and approval uncertainty at the border.
Sources: etakenya.go.ke (accessed September 2026), visas.immigration.go.ug (accessed September 2026), irembo.gov.rw (accessed September 2026), gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice (accessed September 2026).
Published: September 2026 | Last updated: September 2026. Visa rules change frequently – always verify on the issuing country’s immigration website. We are not affiliated with any government body.
