Do I Need a Visa to Visit Uganda? Everything You Need to Know in 2026

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Uganda: Yes — most international travelers need a visa to visit Uganda. However, citizens of East African Community member states, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are exempt from Uganda visa requirements and can enter Uganda freely.

For everyone else, Uganda offers a straightforward online e-visa that can be applied for and approved entirely before you travel, making the Uganda visa process one of the simplest in East Africa.

A single-entry Uganda tourist visa costs USD $50, is valid for 90 days, and is applied for online at visas.immigration.go.ug. This guide covers everything you need to know about Uganda visa requirements in 2026 — who needs one, how to apply, how long it takes, what documents you need, and what to expect at Entebbe International Airport on arrival.

Who Needs a Uganda Visa? Visa-Required vs Visa-Exempt Countries

Uganda’s visa policy divides international visitors into three categories: visa-exempt travelers who enter freely, East African Tourist Visa holders who use a regional multi-country visa, and standard visa applicants who must apply before arrival.

Category	Countries	Entry Requirement	Cost
Visa Exempt	Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC (EAC members); also some Commonwealth and select African nations	No visa required — valid passport only	Free
East African Tourist Visa	Travelers visiting Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda in one trip	Single regional visa covering all three countries	USD $100 (single purchase covers all three)
Standard E-Visa Required	USA, UK, EU countries, Australia, Canada, China, India, and most others	Apply online before travel at visas.immigration.go.ug	USD $50 single entry / USD $100 multiple entry
Visa on Arrival	Available at Entebbe Airport for nationals of select countries	Granted at immigration counter with supporting documents	USD $50 (cash USD preferred)

⚠️ Always verify your country’s current Uganda visa status at visas.immigration.go.ug before travel — visa policies are updated periodically and your country’s status may have changed since this guide was written. The Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control website carries the most current and authoritative visa information.

How to Apply for a Uganda e-Visa Online — Step by Step

The Uganda e-visa application is fully online and takes most applicants 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Apply at least 2 weeks before your Uganda trip to allow processing time, though approvals are frequently returned within 3 to 5 business days.

Step 1 — Go to the official Uganda e-visa portal: immigration.go.ug — do not use third-party visa agencies; the official portal is secure and the only legitimate application channel
Step 2 — Create an account and fill in the application form: you will need: your full name as it appears in your passport, passport number and expiry date, travel dates, purpose of visit (tourism), and your Entebbe arrival details
Step 3 — Upload required documents: valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your Uganda travel dates), a recent passport-size photograph with white background, proof of onward travel (return flight booking), and proof of sufficient funds
Step 4 — Pay the visa fee online: USD $50 for single entry; USD $100 for multiple entry — payment by credit or debit card through the secure portal
Step 5 — Receive your Uganda e-visa approval by email: processing typically takes 3–5 business days; print your e-visa approval and carry it to Entebbe Airport — immigration officers will verify it on arrival

Uganda Visa Types — Which One Do You Need for a Safari?

Single Entry Uganda Tourist Visa — USD $50

The single entry Uganda tourist visa is the correct visa for the vast majority of international safari visitors arriving at Entebbe International Airport. It permits a single entry into Uganda with a stay of up to 90 days — more than enough for any Uganda gorilla trekking safari, wildlife tour, or self-drive car hire adventure across Uganda’s national parks. This is the visa most first-time Uganda visitors apply for and the one Car Hire Uganda recommends for travelers arriving to pick up a rental car at Entebbe for a Uganda self-drive safari.

Multiple Entry Uganda Visa — USD $100

The multiple entry Uganda visa allows travelers to enter and exit Uganda multiple times within the visa validity period — ideal for visitors combining Uganda with Rwanda, Kenya, or Tanzania on a cross-border East Africa safari.

If you are planning a Rwanda Uganda safari, driving from Uganda into Rwanda for gorilla trekking and returning, or doing a Kenya Uganda combination, the multiple entry Uganda visa is essential.

East African Tourist Visa — USD $100 for Three Countries

The East African Tourist Visa is a single visa covering Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda for travel within those three countries during a single trip. It costs USD $100 — the same price as a Uganda multiple entry visa alone — making it outstanding value for travelers exploring all three countries.

Apply through any of the three countries’ immigration portals before departure. This visa is particularly popular with travelers hiring a car in Uganda and driving between the three countries on a self-drive East Africa safari.

Planning a self-drive East Africa road trip? See our Car Rental for Uganda Safaris — 4WD vehicles available for Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya cross-border driving.

Yellow Fever Certificate — The Document You Cannot Forget

Regardless of your nationality or visa type, Uganda requires all arriving international visitors to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at Entebbe International Airport.

This is not a recommendation — it is a legal entry requirement. Travelers arriving without a yellow fever certificate can be denied boarding at their departure airport or refused entry at Entebbe.

Get vaccinated at a certified travel health clinic at least 10 days before your Uganda departure and carry your International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow card) with your passport at all times in Uganda.

What Happens at Entebbe Airport on Arrival — Uganda Immigration Process

Arriving at Entebbe International Airport with your Uganda e-visa approved, yellow fever certificate in hand, and onward travel documents ready makes the immigration process straightforward and typically takes 15 to 30 minutes.

Immigration officers verify your e-visa approval, check your yellow fever certificate, stamp your passport with your permitted stay duration, and wave you through to baggage claim.

From Entebbe Airport, most Uganda safari travelers either collect their rental car for a self-drive journey or meet their chauffeur-driven transfer for the first leg of their Uganda road trip.

Arrange your Entebbe Airport car pick-up in advance — book a Self-Drive Car Rental Uganda or chauffeur-driven transfer from USD $50/day.

Uganda Visa FAQs — Quick Answers to Common Questions

Can I get a Uganda visa on arrival at Entebbe Airport?

Yes, visa on arrival is available for nationals of select countries at Entebbe International Airport, but it is strongly recommended to apply online in advance to avoid queues and the risk of complications. Carry USD $50 in cash if relying on visa on arrival.

How long is a Uganda tourist visa valid?

The single entry Uganda tourist visa allows a stay of up to 90 days from your entry date. The visa itself is typically valid for 3 to 6 months from the date of issue, meaning you must enter Uganda within that window.

Do UK citizens need a visa for Uganda?

Yes. UK citizens are not visa exempt and must apply for a Uganda e-visa online before travel. The single entry Uganda visa costs USD $50 and is applied for at visas.immigration.go.ug.

Do US citizens need a visa for Uganda?

Yes. US citizens require a Uganda visa and must apply online through the Uganda e-visa portal before arrival. The standard tourist visa costs USD $50 for single entry and allows a stay of up to 90 days.

Can I extend my Uganda visa while in the country?

Yes. Uganda tourist visa extensions can be applied for at the Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control offices in Kampala before your current permitted stay expires.

Visa Sorted — Now Get the Right Car for Your Uganda Adventure

Your Uganda e-visa is approved, your yellow fever card is packed, and Entebbe International Airport is 48 hours away. The next question every Uganda visitor faces after the visa is transport and for the Pearl of Africa, where gorilla trekking in Bwindi requires 8 to 10 hours on a mix of tarmac and murram roads, wildlife game drives demand a high-clearance 4WD, and self-drive freedom means exploring Uganda’s national parks entirely on your own schedule, the right vehicle makes the difference between a stressful journey and an extraordinary one.

Car Hire Uganda offers Uganda’s widest range of self-drive and chauffeur-driven 4WD vehicles from Entebbe Airport — Toyota Land Cruisers, Prado TX, RAV4, safari vans with pop-up roofs, and the iconic Land Cruiser with rooftop tent for adventurers who want to camp under African stars along the way.

Our rates start from USD $50 per day, our vehicles are fully serviced and GPS-equipped, and our team is available from the moment you land at Entebbe. Uganda is ready. Your visa is done. Let us get you the keys.

Book your Uganda car hire from Entebbe today!