Uganda offers visa on arrival for citizens of most countries, but the East Africa Tourist Visa — a single USD 100 online pre-approval that covers Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya in a single document and is applied for before travel through the Uganda immigration online portal — is the more reliable and practical entry mechanism for international visitors planning a gorilla trekking trip that may include cross-border travel to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park or onward travel through Kenya. Understanding the Uganda visa options, the countries that require advance approval, the countries that receive visa-free entry, and the practical processing realities of the different entry categories is essential planning for the international visitor whose gorilla trekking permit has been confirmed and whose trip logistics are being finalised. This guide covers the Uganda visa situation as of 2026 with the specificity that an inbound traveller needs. For the gorilla permit booking, see the permit guide.

Uganda Visa 2026: Quick Reference

East Africa Tourist Visa: USD 100 online, covers Uganda + Rwanda + Kenya in one document — recommended for most visitors
Uganda single-entry visa: USD 50 online or on arrival — covers Uganda only
Visa-free entry: Citizens of most East and Southern African countries; check the Uganda immigration portal for the current list
Application portal: visas.immigration.go.ug — apply at least 3-4 weeks before travel for online approval
Passport validity: Minimum 6 months beyond your intended travel dates required for all Uganda entry
Yellow fever vaccination certificate required for entry — checked at Entebbe airport on arrival

Yes, Uganda offers visa on arrival for citizens of most countries in the world. However, the process has evolved significantly in recent years, and the Ugandan government now strongly encourages all visitors to apply for an electronic visa (e-visa) before travel rather than relying on the visa on arrival option. This guide explains who qualifies for visa on arrival, how the process works at Entebbe International Airport, what documents you need, and why applying for an e-visa online before your trip is almost always the better option.

Who Qualifies for Uganda Visa on Arrival?

Citizens of Most Countries Worldwide

Uganda grants visa on arrival to citizens of the vast majority of countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, all European Union member states, most Asian countries, and most South American countries. There are only a handful of countries whose citizens cannot obtain a visa on arrival and must apply through a Ugandan embassy or high commission before travel.

Countries That Do NOT Qualify for Visa on Arrival

As of 2026, citizens of the following countries typically need to apply for a visa before arrival: Somalia, Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, and a small number of other countries with specific diplomatic restrictions. This list can change without notice, so always check with the nearest Ugandan embassy or the official Uganda e-visa website before travelling.

East African Community Citizens

Citizens of Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo are members of the East African Community and can enter Uganda without a visa entirely. They simply need a valid national ID card or passport. No fee is charged.

Types of Visa Available

Single Entry Visa ($50)

The standard tourist visa for Uganda is a single entry visa valid for ninety days. This is the visa most gorilla trekkers need. It allows you to enter Uganda once and stay for up to ninety days. The cost is fifty US dollars, payable at Entebbe airport or online through the e-visa system.

East Africa Tourist Visa ($100)

If your trip includes multiple East African countries, the East Africa Tourist Visa is excellent value. For one hundred US dollars, it grants multiple entries to Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda for ninety days. This is ideal if you plan to combine gorilla trekking in Uganda with a Masai Mara safari in Kenya or a visit to Rwanda. The East Africa Tourist Visa must be obtained from the country you enter first. If you fly into Entebbe, apply through Uganda’s e-visa portal. If you fly into Nairobi first, apply through Kenya’s e-visa system.

Transit Visa ($30)

If you are passing through Uganda and staying less than seven days, a transit visa costs thirty dollars. This is rarely needed for gorilla trekkers but may apply to travellers connecting through Entebbe en route to another destination.

Multiple Entry Visa ($100)

A multiple entry visa allows you to enter and exit Uganda multiple times over a period of six to twelve months. This is useful for business travellers or researchers who visit Uganda frequently. It costs one hundred dollars.

How Visa on Arrival Works at Entebbe Airport

Step 1: Complete the Arrival Card

On your flight, cabin crew may distribute arrival cards, or you may find them at Entebbe airport. Fill in your personal details, passport number, purpose of visit (tourism), and your accommodation address in Uganda. If you are on a tour, use the name and address of your first hotel or your tour operator’s office.

Step 2: Join the Immigration Queue

At Entebbe airport, there are separate queues for e-visa holders, visa on arrival applicants, and East African Community citizens. The visa on arrival queue is typically the longest, especially when multiple international flights arrive simultaneously. Wait times can range from twenty minutes to over an hour depending on the time of day and the number of arrivals.

Step 3: Present Your Documents

When you reach the immigration officer, present the following documents:

A valid passport with at least six months validity remaining and at least two blank pages
Your completed arrival card
Proof of yellow fever vaccination (the yellow card). This is mandatory for all travellers
Proof of accommodation in Uganda, such as a hotel booking confirmation or a letter from your tour operator
Proof of onward or return travel, such as a return flight ticket
Fifty US dollars in cash for the visa fee (exact change is strongly preferred)

Step 4: Payment and Processing

The immigration officer will process your visa application, scan your passport, take your photograph and fingerprints using the biometric system, and stamp your passport with the visa. Payment for visa on arrival is typically in US dollars cash, though some officers may accept other major currencies at unfavourable exchange rates. Card payment for visa on arrival is not always available, so carry cash as a backup.

Step 5: Entry Stamp

Once approved, you will receive an entry stamp in your passport valid for the duration of your visa (typically ninety days for a single entry tourist visa). Keep your passport safe throughout your trip, as you may need to show it at national park entrances and domestic flight check-ins.

Why the E-Visa Is Almost Always Better

While visa on arrival is available, there are several compelling reasons to apply for an e-visa online before your trip:

1. Shorter Queue at Immigration

E-visa holders use a dedicated fast-track queue at Entebbe airport. While visa on arrival applicants wait in long lines, e-visa holders typically clear immigration in ten to fifteen minutes. After a long international flight, this time saving is significant.

2. Guaranteed Approval Before Travel

Visa on arrival carries a small risk of refusal if your documents are incomplete or there are issues with your passport. An e-visa is approved before you board your flight, eliminating this uncertainty. E-visa processing takes approximately three to five business days.

3. Digital Record

Your e-visa approval is stored electronically and linked to your passport number. You receive an email confirmation with a PDF approval letter that you can print and carry. This provides a backup if there are any issues at the airport.

4. Same Cost

The e-visa costs exactly the same as visa on arrival: fifty dollars for a single entry tourist visa and one hundred dollars for the East Africa Tourist Visa. There is no price advantage to waiting for arrival.

How to Apply for the Uganda E-Visa

Visit the official Uganda e-visa website at visas.immigration.go.ug
Create an account with your email address
Select the visa type you need (single entry, East Africa Tourist Visa, etc.)
Upload a digital passport photograph (white background, JPEG format)
Upload a scan of your passport bio page
Upload your yellow fever vaccination certificate
Upload your return flight ticket or travel itinerary
Upload a letter of invitation or hotel booking confirmation
Pay the visa fee online by credit card, debit card, or mobile money
Wait three to five business days for approval
Print the approval letter and carry it with your passport

Yellow Fever Vaccination: The Non-Negotiable Requirement

Regardless of whether you use visa on arrival or e-visa, Uganda requires all travellers to present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly known as the yellow card). This is strictly enforced at Entebbe airport. Travellers without a valid yellow fever certificate may be denied entry or required to receive the vaccination at the airport health desk, which involves delays, additional cost, and discomfort.

Get your yellow fever vaccination at least ten days before travel, as it takes ten days to become effective. The vaccination is valid for life under current WHO guidelines, though some countries still print an expiry date of ten years on the card. Carry the original card, not a photocopy.

Common Questions About Uganda Visas

Can I extend my visa while in Uganda?

Yes. Visit the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control in Kampala to apply for a visa extension. The process takes a few days and costs an additional fee. Extensions are granted at the discretion of immigration officials.

Can I enter Uganda by land and get a visa at the border?

Yes. Visa on arrival is available at all official land border crossings, including Katuna (from Rwanda), Busia and Malaba (from Kenya), and Mpondwe (from DRC). The same documents and fees apply as at Entebbe airport. However, border crossings can be busy and slow, so having an e-visa speeds up the process considerably.

Do children need their own visa?

Yes. Every traveller, including children of any age, needs their own visa to enter Uganda. Children must have their own passport or be included on a parent’s passport if the issuing country allows this. The visa fee applies to children at the same rate as adults.

Final Thoughts

Uganda’s visa on arrival system makes the country accessible and welcoming for gorilla trekkers from around the world. While it is reassuring to know that you can obtain your visa at Entebbe airport, applying for an e-visa before travel is strongly recommended for a smoother, faster, and more certain arrival experience. Budget fifty dollars for the visa, get your yellow fever vaccination well in advance, and carry all your documents in both printed and digital form. Your gorilla adventure starts the moment you clear immigration, so make that process as seamless as possible.

Frequently asked questions about Uganda visas for gorilla trekking visitors

What is the East Africa Tourist Visa and is it the right choice?

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a multi-entry visa covering Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya that costs USD 100 and is applied for online through the Uganda immigration portal before travel. It is the most practical entry document for visitors who are planning a Uganda gorilla trekking trip that may include a side trip to Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park for gorilla trekking (approximately 2-2.5 hours from Bwindi’s southern sectors via the Katuna/Gatuna border crossing), or for visitors who will transit through Kenya (Nairobi) on the way to or from Uganda. The East Africa Tourist Visa’s coverage: the single USD 100 fee covers unlimited entries to Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya during the visa validity period (90 days), eliminating the need for separate Uganda (USD 50) and Rwanda (USD 50) visas that would otherwise cost USD 100 combined before adding the Kenya visa. For visitors who are going only to Uganda with no planned Rwanda or Kenya travel, the Uganda single-entry visa at USD 50 is cheaper. The trade-off: the East Africa Tourist Visa requires advance online application and approval (not guaranteed instantly — allow 3-4 weeks processing time); it may not be available to citizens of all countries (check the Uganda immigration portal for the current eligible nationality list); and it is processed through the Uganda system regardless of which of the three countries is the first entry point. The practical recommendation for UK, US, European, and North American visitors planning a Uganda gorilla trekking trip: apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa online 4-6 weeks before travel for the flexibility it provides even if Rwanda or Kenya travel is not currently planned.

Can you get a Uganda visa on arrival at Entebbe airport?

Uganda offers visa on arrival for citizens of countries not on the visa-exempt list — but Uganda’s immigration system has progressively moved toward online pre-application as the primary mechanism, with visa on arrival available as a backup rather than the recommended primary entry route. The practical current situation at Entebbe airport: visa on arrival windows exist and process travellers who have not pre-applied, but the queue times during busy international arrival periods can be significant (1-3 hours in peak season); the visa on arrival costs the same as the online visa (USD 50 for a single-entry Uganda visa); and the process requires the same documentation as the online application (passport valid 6 months beyond travel dates, return ticket, proof of accommodation or onward travel). The case for online application over visa on arrival: the online process is completed before travel, eliminating the arrival queue; the approval confirmation is available on your phone for presentation at the immigration desk; and the East Africa Tourist Visa (USD 100, Uganda + Rwanda + Kenya) is available only through the online portal and cannot be obtained on arrival. Uganda’s immigration online portal (visas.immigration.go.ug) is the authoritative source for current visa requirements and the online application process — verify the requirements and fees there rather than from third-party travel information that may not be current.

Which nationalities get visa-free entry to Uganda?

Uganda grants visa-free entry to citizens of a range of African countries, Commonwealth nations, and countries with bilateral visa waiver agreements — a list that changes over time and whose current definitive version is published at Uganda’s official immigration portal (visas.immigration.go.ug). The countries that have historically received visa-free access to Uganda include: citizens of East African Community member states (Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, DRC as an observer); citizens of most Southern African Development Community member states; Commonwealth countries including the United Kingdom (as of recent years, Uganda granted UK citizens visa-free access for tourism); and a number of other bilateral arrangements. The countries that require advance visa application or may obtain visa on arrival include most European Union member states (not on the visa-free list in most cases), the United States, Canada, and most of Asia and the Americas. The specific nationality assessment: check the Uganda immigration portal directly for your passport nationality — third-party travel information on visa requirements frequently lags behind diplomatic changes, and the official portal provides the current, authoritative status. Allow 4-6 weeks for online visa processing regardless of the application route to ensure the visa is in hand well before the travel date.

What documents do you need for Uganda entry besides the visa?

Entry to Uganda at Entebbe airport requires specific documents in addition to the passport and visa that are checked on arrival and the absence of which causes significant delays or denial of entry. The mandatory documentation: a valid international vaccination certificate showing yellow fever vaccination (the International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, known as the yellow card or IHR card); Uganda requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for entry, and the certificate is checked at the Entebbe airport arrivals immigration desk; visitors without a valid yellow fever certificate may be vaccinated on arrival (a service available at Entebbe) but this adds time and cost. A return or onward ticket demonstrating that you will leave Uganda within the visa validity period is standard immigration practice for tourist visa holders and is typically checked at check-in by the outbound airline. Proof of accommodation or an operator contact for your first Uganda night is sometimes requested by immigration officers but is not universally required. For gorilla trekking visitors specifically: having the gorilla trekking permit confirmation accessible (on phone or printed) is not a formal immigration requirement but provides clear evidence of the purpose and duration of the visit if queried by immigration. All entry documents should be accessible before joining the immigration queue rather than searched for during processing.

How do you cross between Uganda and Rwanda for gorilla trekking in both countries?

The Uganda-Rwanda border crossing for gorilla trekking in both countries uses the Katuna (Uganda side) / Gatuna (Rwanda side) land border crossing, located approximately 90km south of Kabale town and 2-2.5 hours drive from Bwindi’s southern sectors (Rushaga and Nkuringo). The crossing is open daily during standard hours and is the primary overland crossing for tourists moving between the two countries. The documentation required: a valid entry visa or visa approval for both Uganda and Rwanda — the East Africa Tourist Visa covers both countries in a single document, making it the most practical option for the combined trip; alternatively, a Uganda visa plus a separate Rwanda visa are both required. The Rwanda gorilla trekking permit is separately booked through Rwanda Development Board at rwandaonline.rdb.rw (USD 1,500 per person, separate from the Uganda UWA permit); both permits must be confirmed before the border crossing. The crossing by private vehicle: the driver pulls over at the Uganda exit point (Katuna), processes the Uganda departure stamp, drives the short distance to the Rwanda entry point (Gatuna), and processes Rwanda entry. The crossing typically takes 30-60 minutes for a private vehicle; shared transport or public buses take longer due to the volume of border crossings. For a single-night Rwanda gorilla trekking addition to a Uganda trip: the transfer from Bwindi’s Rushaga sector to Volcanoes NP in Rwanda via the Katuna/Gatuna border, combined with a Rwanda gorilla trek the following morning, is achievable in a single-day transfer with an early departure.

Sort your Uganda visa before booking your gorilla trekking trip

Gorilla Permit Guide — the permit to book once the visa is sorted
Bwindi Sector Guide — Rushaga sector for the Uganda-Rwanda combined trip logistics
Uganda Gorilla Families — the families at each sector for pre-trip planning
Full Safari Cost Guide — complete trip budget including visa costs
Safari Itineraries — Uganda and Uganda-Rwanda combined gorilla trekking itineraries

Further Reading

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Uganda Visa on Arrival 2026: Who Qualifies, How It Works, and What You Need