Uganda
Uganda visa
Africa · Eastern Africa
In Uganda, visas fall to the National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC). The pages consulted on 17 September 2026 describe an application made entirely online on the visa portal, followed by attendance at an immigration office or a border post for the capture of biometric data. They name in particular the single-entry Uganda tourist visa and the East African tourist visa, and state their fees in United States dollars.
Updated on 7 October 2026 · Official sources consulted on 17 September 2026
At a glance
- Authority
- National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) — national citizenship and immigration control service of Uganda
- Submission channel
- Online portal visas.immigration.go.ug, then attendance at an immigration office or a border post for the capture of biometric data
- Electronic visa
- Yes: the pages consulted describe an application, an uploading of documents and a payment entirely online, followed by an approval letter sent by email
- Portal language
- English; the pages state that all documents must be written in English
Do you need a visa?
Kenya passport: no visa needed for a short tourist stay.
For a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport. To work, study or stay longer, the rules are different: check your situation.
Good to know
Visa exemption (visa abolition agreement): country cited on the NCIC page "Visa Exempt Countries or Regions"; duration not specified.
Official source: National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC, Uganda) — Visa Exempt Countries or RegionsNational Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC, Ouganda) — Visa Exempt Countries or Regions (new tab) Verified on 24 September 2026
VisaGuideline helps you prepare your application. The decision belongs to the country’s authority: check the official page before paying or applying.
Uganda visa: who needs one?
Based on the verified entry rules, for a short tourist stay with an ordinary passport.
Visa exemption 40
List of nationalities
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Botswana
- Burundi
- Comoros
- Cyprus
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Fiji
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Hong Kong
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Malaysia
- Malta
- Mauritius
- Mozambique
- Rwanda
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Seychelles
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Arab Emirates
- Vanuatu
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
A nationality missing from this list does not establish a visa exemption. Consult the official authority.
Documented visa types
- "Uganda Tourist Visa – single entry" — single-entry tourist visa
- For a tourist trip, medical treatment or a family visit, according to the page. It may be granted for a period that may go up to three months. Official page (new tab)
- "East African Tourist Visa" — East African tourist visa
- Valid for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only, for multiple uses and for tourism purposes. The page states a validity of 90 days and prohibits taking up employment. Official page (new tab)
- "Multiple-Entry Visa" — multiple-entry visa
- Category named by the service's home page. Its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
- "Transit Visas" — transit visas
- Category named by the service's home page. Its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
- "Diplomatic and Official Visa" — diplomatic and official visa
- Category named by the service's home page. Its conditions are not stated on the pages consulted. Official page (new tab)
Where and how to apply
The pages consulted on 17 September 2026 describe an application filed online on the visa portal of the immigration service, at the address visas.immigration.go.ug. There the applicant opens an account, fills in the form, uploads the documents and pays the fees.
After approval, the pages state that the applicant reports to an immigration office or a border post, with the documents, the receipts, the approval letter and their passport, so that their biometric data can be recorded. The service's home page also refers to separate portals for passports, work permits, citizenship and visa extension.
Steps in the procedure
- Log in to the visa portal and open a new application.
- Accept the terms and conditions displayed by the portal.
- Select the type of visa applied for.
- Fill in the application form.
- Upload the documents requested, written in English.
- Pay the corresponding fees.
- Receive the approval letter by email.
- Report to an immigration office or a border post with the documents, the receipts, the approval letter and the passport, for the capture of biometric data.
Documents mentioned by the authority
- Copy of the biographical data page of a passport valid for at least six months.
- Recent identity photograph.
- Travel itinerary.
- For a tourist stay: visit program and hotel booking.
- For the East African tourist visa: yellow fever vaccination certificate.
- For the East African tourist visa: return ticket.
- For a professional stay: letter of invitation and proof of the host's immigration status.
- For study: letter of invitation from the institution and letter of admission.
- For a family visit: letter of invitation, proof of the host's status and details of the accommodation.
The pages state that all documents must be written in English. The exact list depends on the purpose of the stay; only the official page is authoritative.
Stated fees and processing times
According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026: 50 United States dollars for the single-entry Uganda tourist visa and 100 United States dollars for the East African tourist visa. The pages state that visa fees are non-refundable and that payments are subject to bank charges.
The processing time is not stated on the portal consulted. The National Citizenship and Immigration Control decides.
After the decision
The tourist visa page states that the approval authorization ("Visa Approval Authorisation") is valid for 90 days from the day of approval: if the journey has not taken place within that time, a new application must be filed.
The East African tourist visa page states that it is valid for 90 days from its issue, that it is not renewable on expiry or on leaving the area covered, and that it does not authorize taking up employment. The service's home page refers to a separate portal for visa extension.
Prepare your application
-
Tourism (short stay)
See my document list — Tourism (short stay)
Frequently asked questions
Where is the application filed?
Online, on the visa portal of the immigration service (visas.immigration.go.ug). After approval, the applicant reports to an immigration office or a border post for the capture of their biometric data.
Is there an electronic visa?
Yes. The pages consulted describe an application, an uploading of documents and a payment online, followed by an approval letter sent by email.
What is the East African tourist visa?
According to the page consulted, it is valid for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only, for multiple uses and for tourism purposes. Its validity is 90 days, it is not renewable and it does not authorize taking up employment.
What are the stated prices?
According to the portal consulted on 17 September 2026: 50 United States dollars for the single-entry tourist visa and 100 United States dollars for the East African tourist visa. The fees are non-refundable and bank charges are added to them.
What is the processing time?
Not stated on the portal consulted. The page states, on the other hand, that the approval authorization is valid for 90 days from the day of approval.
Points to check with the authority
- No processing time is announced on the pages consulted.
- The home page names a visa extension reserved for certain categories of nationalities; that rule is not taken up here and falls to the nationality selector.
- The length of stay granted on entry, distinct from the validity of the authorization, is not stated on the pages consulted.
Official links
Authority marks the official website of an administration of the destination country.
- Service national de la citoyenneté et du contrôle de l'immigration (NCIC) (new tab) consulted on 17 September 2026 Authority
- Uganda Tourist Visa – single entry (new tab) consulted on 17 September 2026
- East African Tourist Visa | NCIC (new tab) consulted on 17 September 2026
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