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Uganda entry requirements

Last checked 24 October 2026 · 8 sources

Short answer

Most visitors who need a visa must get an online approval letter from the immigration portal before they travel 2. The 2021 notice says visas are not issued on arrival 2. A single entry tourist visa costs US$50 and the passport must be valid for at least six months 1. Nationals of about 40 countries and regions are visa exempt 3. A 2 October 2026 notice says a yellow fever certificate is no longer mandatory for entry 4.
Who issues visas
National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC), Ministry of Internal Affairs 2,1
Where to apply
visas.immigration.go.ug 1
Single entry visa
US$50, non-refundable, bank charge applies 1
Passport validity
At least six months 1
Apply ahead
At least ten days before travel, per the 2021 notice 2
Yellow fever certificate
No longer mandatory for entry, per notice of 2 October 2026 4

The online approval comes first

The immigration directorate says visa-prone travellers have applied through the online portal since 2016 2. In a notice dated 14 October 2021, the directorate wrote that travellers must hold a travel authorisation or visa approval letter before they travel and that visas are not issued on arrival 2.

An immigration officer reviews each application, usually within 2 to 3 days, and the approval letter is sent by email 2. The 2021 notice asks applicants to apply at least ten days before travel and to pay by MasterCard or Visa card 2. The tourist visa page says the approval is valid for 90 days from the day of approval and is cancelled after that 1.

On arrival, the traveller reports to the immigration office or border point for biometric capture. The traveller brings the passport, the approval letter, payment receipts and the uploaded documents 1.

Visa types and fees

The fees below are from the NCIC service pages read on 24 October 2026 and from the 2021 notice. The two sources give different fees for the 24 month multiple-entry visa 2,5.

VisaFeeLengthSource
Single entry (tourism, medical, family visit) 1US$50 1Up to 3 months, extendable by 60 days 1NCIC page 1
Transit 6US$50 6Up to 7 days, not extendable 6NCIC page 6
Multiple entry, 6 to 12 months 5US$100 56 or 12 months 5NCIC page 5
Multiple entry, 24 months 5US$200 on the current page 5. US$150 in the 2021 notice 224 months 5NCIC page and 2021 notice 5,2
Multiple entry, 36 months 2US$200 in the 2021 notice 236 months 22021 notice 2
East Africa Tourist Visa 2US$100 2Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda 22021 notice 2

Documents to upload

  • All applicants: copy of the passport bio-data page with at least six months of validity, and a recent passport-size photo 1.
  • Tourism: tour plan or itinerary and a hotel booking or other address 1.
  • Business: an invitation letter with a clear address and the host's immigration status if the host is a person 1.
  • Multiple entry: police clearance, letters from two referees in Uganda and a cover letter 5.
  • Transit: a letter on the reason for transit and proof of permission to enter the next country 6.
  • All documents must be in English 1.

Who does not need a visa

The NCIC page lists 40 countries and regions whose ordinary passport holders do not need a visa. These include Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ireland, Singapore, Malaysia, the United Arab Emirates and Hong Kong SAR 3. Holders of Conventional Travel Documents are exempt as well 3.

The 2021 notice gave an older list. It named Angola, Cuba and Libya, which the current page does not list for ordinary passports 2,3. Travellers should check the current page.

Health rules in 2026

A notice posted on 2 October 2026 says a yellow fever vaccination certificate is no longer a mandatory requirement for entry into Uganda 4. Several NCIC visa pages read on 24 October 2026 still list the certificate among the documents 6,5.

In a notice of 1 June 2026, the Embassy of Italy in Kampala reported that the Uganda Civil Aviation Authority made traveller tracking mandatory at Entebbe International Airport, linked to an Ebola outbreak. The embassy said travellers must register their movements no later than 6 hours before travel 7.

Leaving Uganda

The civil aviation authority guide for departing passengers says immigration officers may deny exit to a passenger who does not meet Uganda's rules, including a passenger whose earlier visa has expired 8. Passengers show a passport, boarding pass and hotel booking at the immigration desk 8.

Common questions

Can I get a visa on arrival in Uganda?

The immigration directorate's 2021 notice says visas are not issued on arrival and travellers need an online approval letter before travel 2.

How much is a Uganda tourist visa?

A single entry tourist visa costs US$50, plus a bank charge 1.

Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Uganda?

A notice dated 2 October 2026 says the certificate is no longer mandatory for entry 4. Some visa pages still list it 6.

How long must my passport be valid?

At least six months, according to the NCIC visa pages 1,5.

Can I extend a Uganda tourist visa?

The initial entry period can be extended by 60 days in two intervals, online or at an immigration office 1.

Rules and charges change. Check the official source linked on this page before you pay or travel. Spotted an error? Email [email protected].

Sources

  1. NCIC: Uganda Tourist Visa, single entry (undated page)
  2. DCIC: Mandatory Online Visa Applications for All Visa Prone Travellers to Uganda (14 October 2021)
  3. NCIC: Visa Exempt Countries or Regions (undated page)
  4. NCIC: Official Notice: Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is No Longer Mandatory for Entry into Uganda (2 October 2026)
  5. NCIC: Multiple-Entry Visa (undated page)
  6. NCIC: Transit Visa (undated page)
  7. Embassy of Italy in Kampala: Mandatory tracking for travellers to and from Uganda (1 June 2026, updated 10 June 2026)
  8. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority: Basic travel requirements for departing passengers travelling through Entebbe International Airport (30 January 2023)

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