Uganda Visa Guide 2026: Online E-Visa, Fees, and Requirements

(Uganda) Uganda has made the online e-Visa the main gateway for most visitors in 2026, and there is no visa on arrival option. If you’re flying into Entebbe or crossing by land from Kenya or Rwanda, you need an approval letter in hand before you start the trip.

This matters most for tourists, business travelers, families visiting relatives, and students arriving on tight schedules. It also changes the risk picture: airlines and border officers now expect printed proof that the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control (DCIC) has pre-approved your trip.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the shift to a fully digital process has reduced queues but raised the cost of mistakes, because missing files or wrong visa choices can stop you before boarding.

The 2026 Uganda visa landscape in plain terms

Uganda requires visas for nearly all foreign nationals, aside from a limited list of visa-exempt nationalities. The core rule for 2026 is simple: apply online, get an emailed approval letter, print it, and present it at the border for biometric capture and stamping.

For most visitors, the practical options are:

• Tourist visa (single-entry “ordinary” visa): $50 USD plus a $1.50 admin fee, valid up to 90 days from approval
• Business visa (single-entry): $50 USD, valid up to 90 days
• Transit visa: $50 USD, valid up to 7 days, and not extendable
• East Africa Tourist Visa: $100 USD, multiple entry across Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda for 90 days
• Multiple-entry visa: $100 USD for 6–12 months or $200 USD for 24 months, with heavier documentation

A key timing rule catches people off guard: the approval letter itself expires 90 days after issuance. If you delay travel beyond that window, you must reapply.

Documents that now get checked hard at borders

Uganda’s tighter checks in 2025–2026 focus on proof. Officers want to see that you know where you’re staying, how you’ll move around, and when you’ll leave.

Prepare these items for upload and for travel:

• Passport bio-data page with at least 6 months validity and one blank page
• Recent passport photo on a white background (taken within the last 6 months)
• Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for travelers over one year old; valid 10 days after vaccination)
• Travel itinerary or tour plan (flights and planned activities)
• Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
• Return or onward ticket, or a letter that explains your onward plans

Uganda has turned travelers away at Entebbe and at land borders including Katuna (Rwanda) and Busia/Malaba (Kenya) when documents don’t match the claimed purpose of travel. Treat the uploads as if a border officer will read them closely — because they will.

Important: Uploaded documents are scrutinized closely at entry. Mismatches between your application and travel evidence commonly lead to denial of boarding or refusal at the border.

The five-stage e-Visa journey, with real timelines

Most applicants receive a decision in 2–3 working days, but Uganda’s guidance is to apply at least 10 days before travel. That buffer protects you if the portal requests another document or if peak season slows reviews.

1. Choose the right visa category (10 minutes)
   Match the visa to what you will do. Tourism, family visits, and medical visits usually fit the tourist visa. Meetings and conferences fit the business visa. Wrong categories often get refused.

2. Prepare digital files (1–2 hours)
   Uganda’s portal requires uploads under 250KB in PDF/JPEG/PNG/BMP formats. Resize early and keep file names clear to spot mistakes fast.

3. Submit the online application (20–40 minutes)
   Complete the form carefully, then submit. A 6-digit application ID is generated. Save it — you use it to track progress.

4. Pay and monitor processing (same day, then 2–3 working days)
   Fees are non-refundable. Payment is by Visa or Mastercard, and a 3% surcharge can apply. Some applicants get requests for extra documents or top-up payments.

5. Print approval and plan arrival biometrics (before departure, then at entry)
   When approved, you receive a Travel Authorization/Approval Letter by email. Print it and carry it with your passport, receipts, yellow fever card, and itinerary. At entry, officers take biometrics (fingerprints and photo) and stamp the visa.

Start the process through Uganda’s official system, the DCIC Electronic Visa/Permit Application portal, where you select your visa type and upload your documents.

What to expect from immigration officers on arrival

Think of the e-Visa letter as permission to travel, not a promise of admission. Border officers still decide entry, and they often test consistency.

Common questions focus on:

• Where you will stay and who will host you
• What you plan to do each day, especially if you say “business”
• How long you will stay and your return flight details
• Whether your yellow fever certificate is valid

At busy times, queues can grow. Build extra time for immigration if you land late afternoon or during holiday travel periods.

If you need the full 90 days, ask for it when the stamp is being placed. Many travelers assume the maximum is automatic, but officers can stamp shorter periods if your plans suggest a shorter stay.

Using the East Africa Tourist Visa for multi-country trips

The East Africa Tourist Visa is the cleanest choice for a safari circuit that crosses borders. For $100 USD, it allows travel among Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda for 90 days, and often costs less than buying separate visas.

This visa works best when:

• You intend to cross at least one border in the bloc
• You want flexibility to re-enter Uganda during the same trip
• Your itinerary includes regional flights or overland travel

A major limit is that it is not extendable once you exit the bloc. Plan your route carefully so you don’t accidentally break eligibility mid-trip.

Extensions, overstays, and staying on the right side of the rules

Uganda allows extensions of single-entry visas online or in person at DCIC offices, including the Kampala office on Jinja Road. Travelers can extend for up to 60 more days, and the total stay can reach 6 months.

Apply before your visa expires. Overstays trigger enforcement actions that include:

• Fines
• Bans
• Deportation

Those outcomes often affect future visa approvals in the region.

For U.S. citizens and many other nationalities, there are no special fee waivers built into the 2026 system. The safest approach is simple:

1. Submit early
2. Upload complete proof
3. Arrive prepared for biometric capture and document checks at the border