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United States to Uganda visa requirements

US ordinary passport holders need a visa to visit Uganda, but it must be obtained online as an eVisa before travel via the official Government of Uganda portal. There is no visa-free or standard visa-on-arrival channel. A United States ordinary passport holder traveling to Uganda for tourism must obtain a single-entry tourist eVisa before departure. Applications are made exclusively through the official Government of Uganda Electronic Visa and Permit Application System (visas.immigration.go.ug). The standard tourist visa costs USD 50, is single-entry, and permits a stay of up to 90 days. Uganda discontinued traditional visa-on-arrival in favor of mandatory pre-arrival e-visa applications, so travelers must apply and receive approval before boarding. The passport must be valid at entry with at least 6 months' validity beyond arrival and one blank page. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry. Travelers visiting multiple East African countries may instead apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100), which covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. Note: as of May 2026 the US State Department maintains a Level 4 "Do Not Travel" advisory for Uganda citing health and security concerns, which does not change the visa channel but should be considered.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (single-entry ordinary/tourist visa, applied online before travel)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days per entry
per entry
Entries
Single entry
from issue date
Visa fee
USD 50 (tourist eVisa); USD 100 for East Africa Tourist Visa
consular fee only
Processing time
Typically 2-5 business days
standard track
Validity
Valid for 90 days from date of issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Gather required documents
Prepare a passport-style photo, a scan of your passport bio-data page (valid 6+ months with a blank page), and your yellow fever vaccination certificate.
· Passport· Photo· Yellow fever certificate
/02
Create an account on the official portal
Go ONLY to the official Government of Uganda site visas.immigration.go.ug and register. Avoid third-party sites that charge inflated processing fees.
· visas.immigration.go.ug· Official only
/03
Select visa type and complete the form
Choose Application type: Visa; Category: Ordinary (Tourist); Subcategory: Single entry. Complete personal and travel details.
· Tourist· Single entry
/04
Upload documents and pay the fee
Upload your photo, passport page, and yellow fever certificate, then pay the USD 50 fee online by card.
· USD 50· Card payment
/05
Receive approval letter
After processing (usually 2-5 business days), download and print the e-visa approval/grant letter sent to your email.
· Email· Print copy
/06
Present at port of entry
Show your printed e-visa approval, passport, and yellow fever certificate to immigration on arrival in Uganda; the visa is endorsed in your passport.
· Entebbe/airport· Immigration
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

12 items
Personalized checklist
United States -> Uganda · eVisa (single-entry ordinary/tourist visa, applied online before travel)
0 / 12 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredPassport valid at least 6 months beyond arrival date
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredAt least one blank passport page for the entry stamp
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredApproved Uganda tourist eVisa (printed copy)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredRecent passport-style photograph (digital upload)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredScan of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RecommendedProof of onward/return travel
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedProof of accommodation or hotel booking
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
recommended
RecommendedSufficient funds for the duration of stay
Bank, income, or asset proof with clear name, date, and balances
recommended
RecommendedTravel/medical insurance
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
Application link included: Uganda Electronic Visa/Permit Application System (Official Government Portal)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Tourist eVisa (single entry)USD 50Standard ordinary tourist visa, valid 90 days, single entry
East Africa Tourist Visa (optional alternative)USD 100Multiple-entry across Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda; valid 90 days
Transit visa (if applicable)USD 50For short transit through Uganda, not for tourism
Total estimateUSD 50USD 100incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Expedited (varies)
1-2 business days
Some applications clear faster, but no official guaranteed expedite tier exists; apply early rather than relying on speed.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-free or visa-waiver agreement
The US and Uganda have no mutual visa-waiver arrangement, so US ordinary passport holders always require a visa.
High
/02
Mandatory pre-arrival e-visa
Uganda moved to a mandatory online eVisa system; travelers must apply and be approved before boarding, replacing routine visa-on-arrival.
High
/03
Tourism is an eligible eVisa category
Tourism, family visits and medical visits qualify for the ordinary single-entry tourist eVisa.
High
/04
Yellow fever certificate required
Uganda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, separate from the visa.
Medium
/05
Fraudulent third-party sites
Many unofficial sites charge inflated fees; only the government portal is valid, which reinforces the structured online process.
Medium
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30 · major
United States of America to Uganda route verified
Confirmed via the official Uganda Electronic Visa portal, Uganda Immigration tourist visa page, and the US State Department that US ordinary passport holders require a single-entry tourist eVisa (USD 50, up to 90 days) obtained before travel. No visa-free or standard visa-on-arrival channel.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Uganda?
Yes. US ordinary passport holders need a visa, which must be obtained online as an eVisa before travel via the official portal visas.immigration.go.ug. There is no visa-free entry.
Can I get a visa on arrival in Uganda?+
How much does the Uganda tourist eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay in Uganda on a tourist visa?+
Do I need a yellow fever vaccination for Uganda?+
Which website should I use to apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the United States passport

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