Absolutely yes! A valid visa is needed for most international travelers on a trip to Uganda except if they are part of the exempted countries. A valid Uganda tourist visa is available for single entry. This kind of visa is provided to visitors traveling to Uganda for tourism reasons, family visits, and medical treatment. The single Uganda tourist visa can be valid for up to about 3 months.
The approval authorization validity is 3 months starting from the approval date. After the approval date, the approval authorization can be automatically canceled and rendered invalid. The applicant will be required to apply for a new visa once again.
Once you have applied for the Uganda tourist visa valid for 3 months, then it means that you must travel within the period of validity of your visa.
How and where to obtain a visa for Uganda
The visas for Uganda can be applied online through the immigration portal www.immigration.go.ug/services/tourist-visa.
Requirements
Essentials to attach to your visa application include a copy of your passport valid for at least 6 months, a tour/travel itinerary or plan, trip booking, a recent passport-size photograph, vaccination certificate –yellow fever, hotel booking, or reservation from your Uganda Car Rental.
If you are traveling for business (Meetings and conferences). The requirements to obtain a visa for Uganda for this category include a valid passport copy, a letter of invitation with a clear address and business to be attended in Uganda, a recent passport-size photograph taken in the last 6 months, a yellow fever vaccination certificate, immigration status of host in case it is an individual.
Application for visas for studies- requirements needed include a passport copy (the bio-data page) valid for at least 6 months, a recent passport-size photograph, letter of invitation from the school, status of host in Uganda, yellow fever certificate, and admission letter from the school.
Family visit –the requirements include a letter of invitation, the immigration status of the host, passport copy, hotel booking/reservation, status of host in Uganda, and yellow fever certificate.
Useful steps for visa application in Uganda
- Visit the immigration portal and log in. Select start a new application.
- Accept the terms and conditions provided in the disclaimer.
- Choose the visa/permit type, category, or sub-category.
- Complete the visa application form.
- Upload the documents required. It should be 6 digit application ID and it will be automatically generated as the reference number.
- Make payment for your visa applications.
- Once approved, especially for applications that don’t need additional payment, you will be provided with the approval letter. This will be generated and will be sent to the applicant on the home page.
- Upon approval, make a top-up payment for applications that need additional payment. Afterward, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to the client.
- Report to the immigration office or border for biometric capture and ensure that you have all the essential documents, payment receipts, letters of approval, and passports.
Cost for Uganda visas
A valid Uganda tourist visa can be obtained at USD 50 to 200 per person depending on the visa category/type you intend to apply for. The fees paid for your visas are non-refundable and subject to a bank charge.
All documents attached should be in English format. You may need to process other documents in the course of the visa application. Note
Visa issuance
You can be issued the visa once the application is approved. You can be notified via email with a letter of authorization and barcode. You will be required to print out the letter to show upon arrival at the border or airport where the visa will be issued to you. Alternatively, you can also deliver your letter to a Ugandan embassy to obtain a visa.
The airlines can deny you boarding the aero plane if you have not completed your visa application before your actual trip date.
Visa exempted countries
If you come from the exempted countries, then you may not need a visa. Some of the visa-exempted countries include Botswana, Burundi, Belize, Barbados, Bahamas, Antigua, and Barbuda. Citizens from the following countries also do not require visas to visit Uganda; Angola, Zambia, South Sudan, Sierra Leone, Eritrea, Comoros, Vanuatu, Ghana, Swaziland, Seychelles, Malaysia, Malta, Singapore, Cyprus, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Madagascar, Malawi, Fiji, Mauritius, Kenya, Grenada and Solomon Island. Nationals/citizens from these states can be issued gratis visas upon arrival. There is no need to apply for a visa for Uganda.
Different visa types in Uganda
The various visa types in Uganda include Uganda tourist visas for single entry, diplomatic and official visas, transit visas, multiple-entry visas, and East African tourist visas.
The East African tourist visa can be obtained at USD 100 per person and is valid for 3 months. Acquiring the East African tourist visa requires you to have a copy of the passport which is valid for 6 months, a return ticket, a travel/trip itinerary, a vaccination certificate for yellow fever, and a copy of a recent passport-size photograph.
