Uganda the pearl of Africa is a country of natural richness and endless wonders that will satisfy your dream of visiting an unforgettable African safari destination. What exactly would you wish to achieve in a destination? Is it riveting cultures, magnificent landscapes, the big five animals, primates that share 98% of their DNA with humans, snow at the equator or serene time at the sand beaches? All these are found in Uganda. This country offers a slice of everything you desire in the whole of Africa. Before you travel into, you need a Ugandan Visa for you to be allowed to enter the borders of Uganda. A visa is defined as a seal of approval on a visitor’s passport that indicates that he/she is permitted to enter, leave or stay in a country for a specified period of time. For travelers intending to visit Uganda, be it for tourism, studies or business, it is always important to first obtain a Ugandan Visa unless if you are citizen of a Visa exempt country. The legal entry points for Obtaining Ugandan Visas include Entebbe International Airport, Cyanika border (entry point into Uganda from Rwanda), Malaba and the Busia border among others. Tourists can alternatively obtain these Visas from the Ugandan foreign embassies in their countries.
There are some Visa requirements to be followed when acquiring a Ugandan Visa and they include.
Submission of an original and valid Passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months from the date of entry and to the date you expect to depart from the country.
You are required to pay the correct entry fees that include $50 per person for single entry for at least 90 days. You can opt for a multiple entry Visa (for at least 6-12 months). This is applicable to tourists who travel several times within the specified period of time. Multiple entry Visas also cost $150 for a period of 24 months and $200 for 36 months. There is also a multiple entry East African Tourist Visa for 90 days at $100 for tourists interesting in crossing the borders of Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. However, it should be noted that these Visa categories do not allow any gainful or voluntary employment but instead tourists travelling for work should obtain a Ugandan Work permit.
For tourists travelling for business, they are required to present a letter of introduction or invitation into the country.
Travelers have to present an international vaccination certificate against yellow fever at the entry point into Uganda.
Travelers have to also enclose a self addressed UPS (return from address), prepaid, FEDEX, DHL, USPS priority or Express return envelope. The traveler should have enough funds plus a return ticket.
The above requirements apply to tourists with passport, whereas the travelers with travel documents (not passports) provided by the US immigration department to refugees, they are required to submit the following; an invitation letter from a host who is legally residing in Uganda, the host should also obtain a letter from the local authorities for example LC1 chairpersons to establish they the person indeed resides in the area, a copy of a photo ID (for instance Driver’s license, passport or National ID) of the host in Uganda and a copy of the travel itinerary with Uganda as the destination.
With the development of technology to ease work, tourits can use an online application through https://visas.immigration.go.ug/ and download the forms, print, fill and attach two Passports sized photos, then submit to the nearest Ugandan foreign embassy with the money order. The Visa requirements apply to tourists who are from countries that are not Visa exempt. The citizens of the following countries are Visa exempt. The countries include COMESA countries, Bahamas, Cyprus, Gambia, Jamaica, Barbados, Solomon Island, Grenada, Antigua, Sierra Leone, St Vincent Tonga, Italy, Belize and Singapore.
Just like any other country, it is s legal requirement to possess a Visa to be allowed enter Uganda. Travelers entering Uganda for tourism, business or study can obtain Single entry, multiple entry and the East African tourism Visa. The East African Tourist Visa are applicable for tourists interested in Visiting Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda only. It is therefore important to acquire a Visa to avoid being disappointed.
