Uganda is regularly among the best places to visit because of attractions like mountain gorillas, chimps, savannah wildlife, mountains, the people and so much more.
Sir Winston Churchill affectionately referred to Uganda as the pearl of Africa after his visit and the nickname has stuck - and rightfully so.
Whether the inspiration came from our various articles about Uganda, or somewhere else, we maintain that Uganda is worth visiting at least once. Before you can go, you will need a get a visa that allows you entry into the country.
This article looks at the visa requirements for visiting Uganda as well as details on prices, the process and the right place to apply online. We hope you find this helpful.
Uganda Visa Requirements
To apply for a Ugandan Tourist visa, you will need to prepare the following.
- Visa fees
- 2 passport-sized photos showing your face
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
- Current passport with at least 6 months of validity
Uganda Visa Process
Uganda's visa process is quite straightforward with 3 options for going about it. You can go to the Ugandan embassy near you, you can apply online and you can also obtain a visa on arrival.
1. Go To An Embassy
Depending on where you stay, it might be easy to visit the Embassy of Uganda in your country - especially if it is nearby. You have to carry the required documents and apply directly.
While covid has made this more difficult, this remains a good option for people who stay in the same locale.
2. Apply For Visa Online
The most advisable option is to apply and pay online. As long as you have scanned copies of the required documents, you can visit the Uganda Immigration website and apply for your visa.
The process is quite straightforward and your response should come in under 3 days.
3. Get a Visa On Arrival
Finally, you can apply for your visa at the ports of entry in Uganda. This is easier for people whose schedules are not set in stone or quite abrupt.
Just make sure you have your required documents on hand.
East African Tourist Visa
Going through the same processes, you can also apply for the East African Tourist Visa. This East African Visa is different because it allows you to visit Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya multiple times with the same visa.
This is a perfect option for visitors who want to visit several hot spots around East Africa. The visa can be issued by any of the 3 countries and allows multiple entries among the countries for not more than 90 days.
Related article: East African Tourist Visa for visiting Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda
Uganda Tourist Visa Cost
Ugandan visas for tourists cost differently depending on your specific needs. A single-entry visa allows you to enter and leave only once while multiple-entry visas allow you to visit and come back - within a period.
The table below shows the cost of various Ugandan Tourist visas. Depending on what kind of trip you are planning, you can choose the appropriate option.
| # | VISA TYPE | PERIOD | VISA FEES |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Uganda Single Entry Visa | Up to 3 months | 50 USD |
| 2 | East African Tourist Visa | Up to 3 months | 100 USD |
| 3 | Uganda Multiple Entry Visa | 6 to 12 months | 100 USD |
| 4 | Uganda Multiple Entry Visa | Up to 24 months | 150 USD |
| 5 | Uganda Multiple Entry Visa | Up to 36 months | 200 USD |
Visa Exemption
Uganda offers visa-free entry to citizens of several countries around the world. The citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to visit Uganda for a period of up to 3 months.
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Final Thoughts
The process of getting a visa to Uganda is easy and can be done online at the official government website, or even on arrival without any hassle.
While Uganda doesn't have a lot of exemptions, especially for Europe and North America, the visa policy is friendly, especially because of the East African Tourist visa that allows easy and quick movement in Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.
Some websites and services can apply on your behalf but as long as you have the required documents, we think you should apply on your own and save that money.
Here is the official government of Uganda website where you can Apply For a Visa.
