How to get a visa for Uganda: What visa types are available?

Uganda is known as the "Pearl of Africa", a nickname Winston Churchill made famous in one of his books. Located in the central-eastern part of the African continent and primarily surrounded by Lake Victoria, it is a country where rural and wild environments prevail.

Bwindi Impenetrable National Park is a famous sanctuary for mountain gorillas and one of the country's major tourist attractions. Uganda is home to the largest population of gorillas on the planet - almost half the entire world's population. Booking a Uganda gorilla trekking is a must for almost every traveler.

But it is not only primates and safaris that will entice you to the country, as Uganda also boasts natural resources, such as bronze and cobalt. Until relatively recently, the country has been immersed in wars and coups d'état, which is why only now the wonders this country has to offer are being discovered. Learn how to get a visa for Uganda here!

Do I need a visa to travel to Uganda?

With a few exceptions, it is compulsory for all travelers to know how to get a visa for Uganda. Most of the countries exempt of this requirement are in Africa and the Caribbean. They are:

Angola - Antigua and Barbuda - Bahamas - Barbados - Belize - Botswana - Burundi - Comoros - Cyprus - DR Congo - Eritrea - Eswatini - Fiji - Gambia - Ghana - Grenada - Ireland - Jamaica - Kenya - Lesotho - Madagascar - Malawi - Malaysia - Malta - Mauritius - Rwanda - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines - Seychelles - Sierra Leone - Singapore - Solomon Islands - South Sudan - Tanzania - Trinidad and Tobago - Tonga - Vanuatu - Zambia - Zimbabwe

All European countries except Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and all other nationalities are required to apply for a visa.

Types of visas for Uganda

All people intending to travel to Uganda, no matter the reason for the trip, must apply for a visa. There are many different kinds, some available online and others only for in-person applications. 

For example, you need to visit the nearest embassy if you want to apply for entry permits to live or work in Uganda, to study, and to become a citizen or resident.

Ordinary or tourist visa

Most tourist visas to visit Uganda are available online. You can apply for all of these:

• Single entry visa
• Multiple entries visa (for 6, 12 or 24 months)
• Transit visa
• East African visa, which allows the holder to enter Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya with the same document
• Visa for diplomats and officials

How do you get a visa for Uganda?

The answer to how to get a visa for Uganda will depend on the type of visa you need. There are 3 different ways to apply for a visa to Uganda:

• On arrival at the airport
• Online
• Presenting yourself to the nearest embassy

For a tourist visa, the most recommended procedure is to apply online. In this way, you will avoid queues and possible mishaps, as you will already have your entry permit approved. If you choose to apply for your visa when you arrive at the airport, make sure you bring all the necessary documents with you, as there is no room for error.

For permits other than a tourist visa, it is advisable to contact the embassy nearest to your place of residence. Bear in mind that an approved application does not guarantee entry to Uganda. If you have lied or omitted parts of the truth, when the customs agents verify it, you will not be able to enter the country.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Uganda?

Every visa type has its own requirements, and the reason for the trip can affect the documentation needed as well. Below are all the details.

Requirements shared across all visas and travel purposes 

All applicants need to fulfill these requirements, no matter the type of visa selected or the reason for traveling:

• Copy of passport
• Recent passport-size photograph
• Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
• Bank card to pay for the fees
• Email address to receive the approved visa

Besides these, there are some specific requirements exclusive to each visa type.

Single entry tourist visa

• Booking of the ticket to leave Uganda
• If you travel for a conference: invitation letter
• If you travel to visit an Ugandan family member, or in case of being a former Ugandan: invitation letter and ID of the host
• If you travel to visit a foreign citizen: invitation letter, and the host's immigration status and ID
• If you travel for health reasons: a medical appointment

Multiple entry tourist visa

• Proof of entry and exit from Uganda in the last year
• Criminal record in your home country
• Letters of recommendation from two different sponsors
• IDs from the 2 sponsors (Ugandan national ID or passport)
• Cover letter
• Police authorisation from the country of origin
• If you travel for a conference: invitation letter
• If you travel to visit an Ugandan family member, or in case of being a former Ugandan: invitation letter and ID of the host
• If you travel to visit a foreign citizen: invitation letter, and the host's immigration status and ID
• If you travel for health reasons: a medical appointment

Transit visa

• Booking of the ticket to leave Uganda

East Africa tourist visa

• Proof of return flight ticket
• The complete travel itinerary
• If you travel for a conference: invitation letter
• If you travel to visit an Ugandan family member, or in case of being a former Ugandan: invitation letter and ID of the host
• If you travel to visit a foreign citizen: invitation letter, and the host's immigration status and ID
• If you travel for health reasons: a medical appointment

Can the Uganda visa be changed once it has been processed?

Once the application is submitted and approval is underway, the application cannot be changed unless the immigration officer requests additional information. The application can be cancelled at any time; however, the fee paid will never be refunded.

You cannot apply for a new visa if you have a valid visa with the same passport, you must wait until it expires. If it is necessary to apply for another visa while the first is valid, then you will have to do so through the embassy.

How much does a visa to Uganda cost?

Government fees vary depending on the type of visa or permit we choose:

• Single entry visa: 48 EUR
• Transit visa: 48 EUR
• Multiple entries visa (12 months): 95 EUR
• Multiple entries visa (24 months): 147 EUR
• East African visa: 95 EUR

How far in advance do I need to apply for a Uganda visa?

Once the application is complete, processing times by government agents are about 5 working days. However, it is advisable to apply at least 10 days in advance in case of any delays.

All visas with an entry date of fewer than 72 hours cannot be processed.

What are the entry borders to Uganda?

Uganda is a country located in the heart of Africa, bordering Sudan to the north, Kenya to the east, Tanzania and Rwanda to the south, and the Democratic Republic of Congo to the west.

Uganda has several airports allowing entry to the country. The main airport is the Entebbe International Airport. It is also possible to reach the country through the Gulu Airport, Kajjansi Airfield, Tororo Airfield, Huen and Lira Airport. Uganda can also be reached by the border crossings on the road to Kenya that goes through Busia and Malaba.

Do you need a transit visa for Uganda?

For any transitional flights that land in Uganda temporarily, no visa will be required as long as travelers do not leave the airport terminal and their next flight takes place in less than 24 hours.