Entry and airport
Uganda work permits, passes and residence: applying online
Short answer
- Issuing body
- National Citizenship and Immigration Control (NCIC) 1
- Class G2, 12 months
- US$2,500, including a US$1,500 non-refundable fee 2
- Special pass
- US$400 for 3 months 5
- Student pass
- US$100, East African nationals exempt 6
- Tanzanian nationals
- Work permit fee revised to US$1,550 per year 1
- Kenyan and Rwandan nationals
- Exempt from immigration fees, permit still required 1
- Fees law
- The Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Fees, 2021 8
Entry permit classes
NCIC lists entry permit classes from A to H. Each class matches a type of holder 1. The work permit page says the permit lets the holder live and work in Uganda and must be sponsored by an organisation or company with a mandatory organisation code 3. The site lists an Organisation Profiling Form for e-permits 3.
| Class | Who it is for |
|---|---|
| A and A Official 1 | Diplomatic and official passport holders and staff of fee-exempt organisations 1 |
| A2 1 | Employees of government institutions paid by the Government of Uganda 1 |
| B1 and B2 1 | Shareholders in agriculture and agro-processing companies 1 |
| C1 and C2 1 | Shareholders in mineral prospecting or mining companies 1 |
| D 1 | Shareholders in general trade companies 1 |
| E 1 | Shareholders in manufacturing companies 1 |
| F 1 | Shareholders in specified professions such as medical, legal and engineering 1 |
| G1 1 | Missionaries and NGO volunteers 1 |
| G2 1,2 | Foreign expatriates employed in Uganda, including salaried NGO staff 2 |
| G3 1 | Rare skilled foreign nationals in agro-processing, manufacturing or selected mining 1 |
| H 1 | Residents with assured income from outside Uganda who do not take up work 1 |
Class G2 fees and documents
The NCIC Class G2 page, read on 24 October 2026, gives these fees in US dollars 2.
- 6 months: US$1,250 2.
- 12 months: US$2,500, including a US$1,500 non-refundable fee 2.
- 24 months: US$5,000, including the US$1,500 non-refundable fee 2.
- 36 months: US$7,500, including the US$1,500 non-refundable fee 2.
- Documents: passport bio-data page, recent photo, cover letter from the employer, Interpol or police clearance, tax clearance certificate and proof of current immigration status 2.
- Documents: appointment letter, certified copy of qualifications, proof that a qualified Ugandan could not be employed and a list of staff with nationality and position 2.
How the online application works
NCIC pages set out the same steps for permits and passes 2,4.
- Log in to the portal at visas.immigration.go.ug and start a new application 2.
- Accept the disclaimer and pick the permit type, category and sub-category 2.
- Fill in the form and upload the documents. The portal gives an application ID as the reference number 2.
- Pay where the application needs prepayment 2.
- After approval, the approval letter is sent by email. If a top-up payment is due, it is paid first 2,4.
- Report to an immigration office or border point for biometric capture with the passport, approval letter, receipts and uploaded documents 2.
Passes for family, short work and study
The dependant pass page says fees are non-refundable and all payments carry a bank charge 4. Documents must be in English 4.
| Pass | Who it is for | Fee on NCIC page |
|---|---|---|
| Dependant pass 4 | Children under 18, spouses and other relatives of a foreign resident, and foreign dependants of a Ugandan 4 | Child US$200, spouse US$350, other relatives US$1,000 4 |
| Special pass 5 | Short contract work, medical treatment, tourism or exploring business 5 | US$400 for 3 months 5 |
| Student pass 6 | Foreign nationals above 4 years old enrolled in a Ugandan learning institution 6 | US$100 for 3, 6 or 12 months. East African nationals exempt 6 |
Certificate of residence
NCIC lists three routes to a certificate of residence 7. A person legally married to a Ugandan for at least 3 years and living legally in Uganda can apply. The marriage route lists terms of 5 years, 10 years or life 7. A person who has lived in Uganda for 10 years without a break and contributed to its economic and social growth can apply 7. A former Ugandan citizen who took another citizenship can apply 7. The page read on 24 October 2026 gives no fee 7.
Fees law, service standards and the e-immigration system
The NCIC site links the Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Fees, 2021 as its fee regulations 8. The copy online could not be read as text for this page 8.
NCIC published service delivery standards on 21 July 2026 9. The standards document linked from that page says a visa application that is not approved has an appeal process. Client queries and concerns go to the NCIC Public Relations Office 9.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said on 26 April 2021 that its e-immigration system handled visas, work permits, passes, certificates of residence and citizenship grants 10. It said the system was deployed at regional offices in Mbarara, Jinja, Mbale and Gulu and at missions abroad including Washington, London and Beijing. It was linked to URA, NIRA and NSSF and sent alerts on expired permits and passes to inspection teams 10.
Common questions
How much is a Uganda work permit?
A Class G2 permit costs US$2,500 for 12 months, per the NCIC page read on 24 October 2026 2.
Can I apply for a Uganda work permit online?
Yes. Applications go through visas.immigration.go.ug, followed by biometric capture in person 2.
Do Kenyans need a work permit in Uganda?
Yes. Kenyan and Rwandan nationals pay no immigration fees but must still apply for a work permit 1.
How much is a Uganda dependant pass?
US$200 for a child and US$350 for a spouse, per NCIC 4.
Who can get a certificate of residence in Uganda?
A spouse of a Ugandan of at least 3 years, a person resident for 10 years, or a former Ugandan citizen 7.
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: Entry Permit (undated page)
- NCIC: Class G2 (undated page)
- NCIC: Work Permit (undated page)
- NCIC: Dependant Pass (undated page)
- NCIC: Special Pass (undated page)
- NCIC: Student Pass (undated page)
- NCIC: Certificate of Residence (undated page)
- NCIC: Uganda Citizenship and Immigration Control Fees, 2021 (undated page)
- NCIC: National Citizenship and Immigration Control: Service Delivery Standards (21 July 2026)
- Ministry of Internal Affairs: Press Statement: Interventions Undertaken by the Ministry of Internal Affairs to Improve Delivery of Immigration Services (26 April 2021)
Related
- Uganda entry requirements
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- The Uganda e-visa and e-immigration system
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- Uganda's e-gates and e-immigration systems: what is live
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- The East Africa Tourist Visa in Uganda
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