Getting into Uganda is straightforward if you prepare, and stressful if you don’t. Here’s what most visitors need in 2026. Rules and fees can change at short notice, so please check the official portal before you travel. We’ll always confirm the current rules for your passport when we plan your trip.
Do you need a visa?
Most visitors from outside East Africa need a visa. Citizens of East African Community countries, and some other nationalities, can visit without one. Check your nationality on the official portal, or ask us.
Option 1: Uganda tourist eVisa
- Where: Uganda’s official immigration portal, visas.immigration.go.ug. Apply online before you travel.
- Fee: US$50 for a single-entry tourist visa, according to the Uganda immigration service. The fee is non-refundable and bank charges may apply.
- Validity: up to three months. You must travel within three months of approval.
- On arrival: print your approval letter. Your fingerprints and photo are taken at the airport or border.
Beware of look-alike websites that charge extra “service fees”. The official address ends in .go.ug.
Option 2: East Africa Tourist Visa
If you’re visiting Rwanda or Kenya as well, the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) is often better value.
- Fee: US$100.
- Covers: Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya only, with multiple entries between them, for tourism.
- Validity: 90 days from issue. It can’t be extended.
- How to apply: through the country you’ll enter first. If you land in Entebbe, apply on Uganda’s portal. If you land in Kigali, apply through Rwanda.
The EATV doesn’t cover Tanzania, so you’ll need a separate visa for a Serengeti or Zanzibar extension. Kenya now also runs its own Electronic Travel Authorisation system, so if Kenya is on your route, check how it applies to your passport before you fly.
Passport rules
- Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive.
- We recommend at least two blank pages, especially if you’re crossing borders.
- Your gorilla and chimp permits are issued in your name using your passport details, so the names must match exactly. If you renew your passport after booking, tell us.
Yellow fever certificate
You must show a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter Uganda. It’s also listed as a requirement for the East Africa Tourist Visa. Get the vaccine at a registered travel clinic and keep the certificate with your passport. If you can’t have the vaccine for medical reasons, talk to your clinic well before you travel.
Health screening in 2026
Uganda had an Ebola outbreak in mid-2026. The World Health Organization declared it over in late August 2026, but the outbreak in neighbouring DR Congo continues. You may see health screening at the airport, and some countries still apply extra checks to travellers returning from Uganda. Check your own government’s travel advice before you book and again before you fly. Our health and safety guide has more.
Your arrival checklist
- Passport valid for six months or more
- Printed visa approval (eVisa or EATV)
- Yellow fever certificate
- Return or onward ticket, and your itinerary or lodge bookings
- Travel insurance details
- Some clean, recent US dollar notes. Older or damaged notes are often refused.
Good to know
- Apply about four to six weeks before you travel. Don’t leave it to the last few days.
- Upload clear scans. Blurry passport pages are a common reason for delays.
- Flying into Kigali to trek in Uganda? See our guide to gorilla trekking in Uganda from Kigali.
Visa rules are one of those things we’re happy to help with. Tell us your nationality and route, and we’ll tell you exactly which visa makes sense, before you pay for anything.
