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What wonderful plans. You are planning to go to Uganda to see wild mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, or perhaps you have already booked! The trip is set, the tickets are arranged and the preparations can begin. Before you actually get on the plane, you still need to arrange a visa. Below we will give you as much information as possible to help you apply for this visa.
Every traveler entering Uganda must apply for a visa online prior to arrival. This is a mandatory requirement and cannot be skipped.
The visa application must be completed in advance, and payment must be made during the process. The tourist visa costs 50 US dollars per person, and there is an additional 3 percent commission fee added during the payment. This payment must be made using a credit card.
After submitting the online application and successfully completing the payment, you will receive a “Letter of Approval” by email. This document is crucial—it is not the visa itself, but it allows you to receive the visa stamp in your passport upon arrival in Uganda, typically at Entebbe International Airport.
Please be aware that the Letter of Approval is usually valid for only three months, meaning you must enter Uganda within 90 days of receiving it. For this reason, it is important not to apply too early. For example, if your travel date is September 1st, you should submit your visa application no earlier than June 1st.
At the same time, it’s unwise to wait until the last moment, as processing can sometimes take several days or longer, especially if there are system delays. As a general guideline, applying around one month before your trip tends to be a safe and practical approach.
It is also important to understand that the Uganda tourist visa is typically valid for 90 days from the day you enter the country, not from the day it is approved. That means if your visa is approved in mid-July, but you enter Uganda on August 10th, your 90-day stay starts from August 10th. To begin your visa application, go to the official Uganda e-visa portal at www.visas.immigration.go.ug.
Due to updated regulations, Uganda no longer issues visas through embassies or consulates. All visa applications must be submitted through the official online immigration portal.
This centralized system has led to a significant increase in usage, which has, in turn, caused occasional issues such as submission errors, delayed responses, or confirmation emails not arriving as expected. These technical difficulties are unfortunately outside individual control.
It is strongly recommended to apply well ahead of your intended travel date and to monitor your application progress closely. You can track your application using your Application ID, passport number, and date of birth. In some cases, if the system fails to confirm your submission or you do not receive an update, it may be necessary to reapply.
A small number of countries have agreements with Uganda that allow their citizens to enter without needing a visa. This includes a few nations from the African and Caribbean regions, along with countries such as Cyprus, Fiji, and Singapore. If you are unsure whether your country qualifies for visa-free entry, it is essential to check the official list before proceeding with any visa application. You can find the full list of visa-exempt countries here.
If you are planning to visit Uganda only, the single-entry Uganda Tourist Visa will be sufficient. This visa allows one entry into the country and remains valid for a duration of 90 days. It must be applied for individually online, and once the application is approved and payment completed, you will receive a Letter of Approval. With this letter, your actual visa will be issued and stamped into your passport upon arrival in Uganda.
If your journey begins in Rwanda and you plan to continue traveling to Uganda and/or Kenya, then the East Africa Tourist Visa offers a much more convenient option.
This special visa allows you to travel between Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya with a single application, making the process easier and more flexible for regional travel. The East Africa Tourist Visa is valid for 90 days from the date of your first entry. Once you complete the online application, make the required payment, and receive approval, you will be issued a Letter of Approval. This document should be presented upon arrival at the airport or border, and your East Africa visa will be stamped into your passport.
When applying for this visa, remember that you cannot apply earlier than three months before your trip begins. Each traveler must fill out their own separate application.
You must also apply through the immigration authority of the country where your journey officially starts. For example, if you are beginning your trip in Uganda, you must apply through Ugandan immigration. If you are starting in Kenya, then your application should go through Kenyan immigration.
The East Africa Tourist Visa remains valid only as long as you travel within the three participating countries: Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya. If you exit this region by visiting a country like Tanzania, the visa becomes invalid immediately. In that case, you would need to apply for a new visa to return to any of the three East African countries.
This visa is ideal for travelers planning to explore multiple destinations in East Africa.
The cost of a single-entry Uganda Tourist Visa is 50 US dollars per person, with an additional 3 percent processing fee. If you plan to use the East Africa Tourist Visa, the fee is 100 US dollars per person, also with a 3 percent commission.
If your stay in Uganda is very brief—you can apply for a transit visa instead of a full tourist visa. This visa costs 20 US dollars and is intended for travelers passing through Uganda on their way to another destination. It is valid for up to seven days and cannot be extended. However, if you are simply connecting through Uganda without leaving the airport, a visa is not required.
Uganda does not offer a working holiday visa. If you are planning to work, volunteer, or participate in an internship or unpaid placement, you must obtain a valid work permit. Working without a proper permit is not allowed, even if the role is unpaid. If this applies to you, contact your host organization or employer to guide you through the correct procedure for obtaining a work permit.
If your travel plans involve entering Uganda more than once, it is possible to apply for a multiple entry visa. These visas come in different durations: 6 to 12 months for 100 US dollars, 24 months for 150 US dollars, and 36 months for 200 US dollars.
To enter Uganda, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date you arrive. It should also have at least two blank pages available for visa and immigration stamps. Immigration officers may also ask for proof of a return or onward ticket, and evidence of sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. Proof of yellow fever vaccination is highly recommended and may be required at the point of entry.
Since 2012, children are required to have their own passport when traveling internationally. They can no longer be listed under a parent’s passport. If a child under the age of 18 is traveling with only one parent or guardian, immigration officials may request a letter of consent from the non-traveling parent or parents. This letter should be written in English and should clearly state the child’s full name, passport number, date and place of birth, along with the same information for both parents. You can write and sign this letter yourself.
When filling out the online visa application, make sure all the information you provide matches exactly what is in your passport. This includes your full name, passport number, date of birth, and intended length of stay. Double-check everything before submitting. Errors may require you to reapply, and unfortunately, refunds are not given for mistakes.
Keep in mind that your application will only be reviewed after payment is made. Payment does not guarantee approval, and you should continue checking the status of your application online in case any additional documents or corrections are needed.
To begin, go to the Uganda E-Immigration System at www.visas.immigration.go.ug.
On the homepage, click “Start New Application,” accept the disclaimer, and choose “Visa” under visa or permit type. Then, select the category that matches your trip—either “Uganda Ordinary/Tourist Visa” for single-country travel or “East Africa Tourist Visa” if you’re visiting Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya.
The website will show you a list of required documents, which you can upload as scanned files or clear smartphone photos. Each file must be under 250KB and in accepted formats such as PDF, JPEG, PNG, or BMP. Click “Next Step” and carefully fill out all required information.
Be sure to enter your name exactly as it appears in your passport, and avoid special characters. You’ll need to provide contact information in Uganda—this can be a tour operator, hotel, or host, such as Orugano Safaris. For your entry point, most travelers arriving by air should select Entebbe.
If you are entering Uganda by land, for example from Rwanda to visit Bwindi Impenetrable National Park for gorilla trekking, your entry point may be Cyanika.
Choose the correct entry based on your travel route. Once all information is entered, complete the security check, upload your documents, and review your application on the summary page.
Print this summary for your records before submitting. When you submit, you will receive a confirmation message and an Application ID. Write this down or save it—it is very important.
After submission, you will be prompted to pay using a Visa or Mastercard credit card. Enter your card details, confirm the payment, and then click “Finish.” Your application will not be processed unless the payment is completed. If payment is skipped, your application will expire, and you will need to start again.
You should receive a confirmation email shortly after applying.
If it doesn’t arrive, be sure to check your spam or junk folders. Most applicants receive their Approval Letter within one to three working days, though occasional delays are possible. Once approved, print the letter and carry it with you—it’s what immigration officers will use to issue your visa.
Occasionally, approval letters may include small formatting errors or date quirks. As long as your visa covers your travel period, there is no cause for concern. Print all relevant documents and bring any additional items mentioned in your approval email.
If your approval hasn’t come through, you can check the status of your visa on the immigration website. You will need your Application ID, passport number, and date of birth. Note that the online system sometimes has limitations, such as not allowing you to select birth years before 1958. If this happens, try entering a more recent year and then scroll back to choose the correct one.
Want to know more about Uganda? We will be happy to answer all your questions about highlights, accommodations and possible travel routes!
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest Nkuringo Sector- Uganda
+256-701-230-309
info@oruganosafaris.com
