Entry and airport
Uganda entry requirements
Short answer
- 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.
| Visa | Fee | Length | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single entry (tourism, medical, family visit) 1 | US$50 1 | Up to 3 months, extendable by 60 days 1 | NCIC page 1 |
| Transit 6 | US$50 6 | Up to 7 days, not extendable 6 | NCIC page 6 |
| Multiple entry, 6 to 12 months 5 | US$100 5 | 6 or 12 months 5 | NCIC page 5 |
| Multiple entry, 24 months 5 | US$200 on the current page 5. US$150 in the 2021 notice 2 | 24 months 5 | NCIC page and 2021 notice 5,2 |
| Multiple entry, 36 months 2 | US$200 in the 2021 notice 2 | 36 months 2 | 2021 notice 2 |
| East Africa Tourist Visa 2 | US$100 2 | Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda 2 | 2021 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.
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 hello@ugandaborderguide.com.
Sources
- NCIC: Uganda Tourist Visa, single entry (undated page)
- DCIC: Mandatory Online Visa Applications for All Visa Prone Travellers to Uganda (14 October 2021)
- NCIC: Visa Exempt Countries or Regions (undated page)
- NCIC: Official Notice: Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is No Longer Mandatory for Entry into Uganda (2 October 2026)
- NCIC: Multiple-Entry Visa (undated page)
- NCIC: Transit Visa (undated page)
- Embassy of Italy in Kampala: Mandatory tracking for travellers to and from Uganda (1 June 2026, updated 10 June 2026)
- Uganda Civil Aviation Authority: Basic travel requirements for departing passengers travelling through Entebbe International Airport (30 January 2023)
Related
- The Uganda e-visa and e-immigration system
How Uganda's online visa and permit system works, when it went live in July 2016, what the approval letter is and what happens at the border.
- The East Africa Tourist Visa in Uganda
The East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for US$100. Validity, first entry rule, documents and how to apply online in Uganda.
- Arriving at and leaving Entebbe International Airport
Step by step through arrival and departure at Entebbe International Airport: visa checks, biometrics, the 2026 health declaration, security and gate times.
- Uganda's e-gates and e-immigration systems: what is live
Status of Uganda's e-immigration system and the Entebbe Airport e-gates: who runs them, who can use the gates and passport links.
- Yellow fever certificate and health checks for entering Uganda
A 2 October 2026 notice says Uganda no longer requires a yellow fever certificate. Ebola screening, the health declaration and the 2026 outbreak.