Every way into Uganda.

The ordinary single-entry e-Visa is Uganda's standard short-stay visa for tourism, visiting family or friends, short business meetings, conferences and medical treatment. It is applied for online through the Uganda e-Immigration portal (visas.immigration.go.ug); online application is mandatory for all visa-prone travellers. The visa costs USD 50, is valid for entry within 90 days of issue and permits a stay of up to 90 days from the date of first entry. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and the passport must be valid for at least six months. Approval is normally decided within two to three working days, after which an approval letter is emailed and must be printed and presented at the port of entry alongside the passport.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

3 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint multiple-entry tourist visa covering Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for a single fee of USD 100, valid for 90 days. It is intended for tourism and lets the holder move between the three partner states without separate national visas. When the visa is issued by Uganda, the traveller must enter Uganda first before continuing to Kenya or Rwanda. The visa is applied for online through the Uganda e-Immigration portal. A yellow fever certificate is mandatory. The visa does not cover Tanzania, Burundi or South Sudan, and does not authorise work or study.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

3 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

90 days

The transit visa is for travellers passing through Uganda en route to a third country for a short period. It is applied for online via the e-Immigration portal and costs USD 50. Applicants must hold a confirmed onward ticket and, where required, a visa for the country of final destination. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory and the passport must be valid for at least six months. The transit visa does not authorise tourism activities beyond the transit purpose, work or study.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

3 days

Max stay

14 days

Validity

90 days

The multiple-entry visa allows frequent travellers - typically business visitors, regional traders, NGO staff and people with recurring family ties - to enter Uganda repeatedly over the visa's validity period. It is applied for online through the e-Immigration portal and is granted for 6, 12, 24 or 36 months. The published fee is USD 100 for 6 or 12 months, USD 150 for 24 months and USD 200 for 36 months. Each individual stay is for the period authorised at the border (generally up to 90 days). A yellow fever certificate is required and the passport must be valid for at least six months. The visa permits business meetings and visits but does not authorise local employment, which requires an entry/work permit.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

3 days

Max stay

90 days

Validity

365 days

The student pass authorises a foreign national aged over four years to reside in Uganda to study at a recognised learning institution. It is granted for 3, 6 or 12 months and applied for online through the e-Immigration portal. The fee is USD 100, a flat amount regardless of the period granted, payable at the point of application. Applicants must provide an admission or enrolment letter from the institution and proof of ability to meet tuition and living costs. The student pass covers study only; it does not authorise employment, and it forms a basis on which dependants may apply for a dependant pass.

• Study: Full enrolment at the admitting Ugandan institution.
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the student pass.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

365 days

Validity

365 days

Class G2 is the entry/work permit for foreign expatriates employed in Uganda, including salaried staff of companies and NGOs - the standard category for an employer sponsoring a foreign worker. Under the 2021 fees regulations Class G2 carries graduated fees - illustratively USD 1,250 for 6 months and USD 2,500 for 12 months, each including a USD 1,500 non-refundable component (commonly described as USD 800 non-refundable payable before submission for the 6-month option), rising for 24 and 36 months. The employer must justify hiring a foreigner. As special passes for work are being curtailed, the 6-month Class G2 permit is now the usual route for short to medium-term employment. The permit authorises employment with the sponsoring employer named in the permit.

• Work: Authorises employment with the sponsoring employer named in the permit.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$2,500

Validity

365 days

Class F is the entry permit for foreign professionals practising a regulated profession in Uganda, including medical doctors, dentists, lawyers, pharmacists, civil/mechanical/electrical/mining/aeronautical/chemical engineers, accountants, architects, surveyors, valuers, veterinary surgeons, estate and land agents, nurses and midwives. Under the 2021 fees regulations Class F carries graduated fees - illustratively USD 1,500 for 6 months and USD 3,000 for 12 months (including a USD 1,500 non-refundable component), rising to USD 6,000 (24 months) and USD 9,000 (36 months). Applicants must hold the relevant professional qualifications and registration with the applicable Ugandan professional body. The permit authorises practising the named profession in Uganda.

• Work: Authorises practising the named regulated profession in Uganda.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$1,500

Validity

365 days

The special pass is a short-term pass allowing a foreigner to remain in Uganda temporarily to obtain medical treatment, fulfil a short contract of up to about five months, complete immigration formalities, or bridge the period while an entry/work permit application is processed. It is applied for through the e-Immigration portal. In practice the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control has been restricting or discontinuing special-pass issuance, instead directing applicants undertaking work to apply for a six-month Class G2 work permit; applicants should confirm current availability and the prevailing fee directly with DCIC before relying on this route. The pass does not lead to residence.

• Work: Permits a short contract of up to about five months where granted for work; otherwise limited to the stated formality/medical purpose.

Max stay

150 days

Validity

150 days

Class B is the entry permit for investors in agriculture and animal husbandry, issued to shareholders of companies engaged in that business. Under the 2021 fees regulations the Class B1 permit carries graduated fees (illustratively USD 1,250 for 6 months and USD 2,500 for 12 months, each including a USD 1,500 non-refundable component, rising for 24 and 36 months). A separate Class B2 category for certain agricultural investments is set at a lower band (about USD 400 for 6-12 months). Applicants must demonstrate a genuine, registered agricultural enterprise and shareholding. The permit authorises the holder to run and work in the agricultural business named in the permit.

• Work: Authorises operating and working in the agricultural enterprise named in the permit.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$2,500

Validity

365 days

Class C is the entry permit for investors in mining, issued to shareholders of companies engaged in mining minerals (Class C1) or in prospecting and mining specified minerals such as gold, copper, iron ore, silica, phosphate, limestone and marble (Class C2). Under the 2021 fees regulations the Class C1 permit carries graduated fees (illustratively USD 1,250 for 6 months and USD 2,500 for 12 months, each including a USD 1,500 non-refundable component, rising for longer durations), while certain Class C2 prospecting categories fall in a lower band (about USD 400 for 6-12 months). Applicants must show a registered mining enterprise, the relevant mineral rights and their shareholding. The permit authorises operating and working in the mining business named in the permit.

• Work: Authorises operating and working in the mining enterprise named in the permit.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$2,500

Validity

365 days

Class D is the entry permit for investors in general trade and business, issued to shareholders of entities invested in general commerce. Under the 2021 fees regulations the permit carries graduated fees - illustratively USD 1,250 for 6 months and USD 2,500 for 12 months, each including a USD 1,500 non-refundable component, with higher amounts for 24 and 36 months. Applicants must show a registered company, evidence of the trading business and their shareholding, and are generally expected to meet the Uganda Investment Authority's minimum capital expectations for foreign investors. The permit authorises operating and working in the business named in the permit.

• Work: Authorises operating and working in the trading business named in the permit.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$2,500

Validity

365 days

Class E is the entry permit for investors in manufacturing, issued to shareholders of entities engaged in the manufacturing business. To encourage industrial investment the 2021 fees regulations place Class E in a concessionary band, with fees of about USD 400 for 6-12 months, USD 800 for 24 months and USD 1,200 for 36 months. Applicants must show a registered manufacturing company, evidence of the production operation and their shareholding. The permit authorises operating and working in the manufacturing business named in the permit.

• Work: Authorises operating and working in the manufacturing enterprise named in the permit.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$400

Validity

365 days

The dependant pass allows the spouse, children under 18 and certain other relatives of a foreign resident lawfully staying in Uganda (on a work/entry permit, student pass or certificate of residence) to reside with the principal. The pass is linked to the principal's status and is cancelled when the principal's permit expires or is cancelled. It is applied for online through the e-Immigration portal and matches the principal permit's validity. Applicants must prove the family relationship and the principal's legal stay. The dependant pass does not by itself authorise employment.

• Study: Dependant children may attend school; enrolled students may alternatively hold a student pass.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: This is the pass through which the principal's spouse and minor children are included.

Validity

365 days

A foreign national married to a Ugandan citizen may apply to the National Citizenship and Immigration Board for citizenship by registration. The applicant must have been married to the Ugandan spouse and have lived in Uganda for the qualifying period set in the Constitution and Act (legal and continuous residence, generally at least three years of marriage). The 2021 fees regulations set a non-refundable application fee of USD 200, with a further fee on approval of about USD 3,000 where the spouse is an indigenous Ugandan or USD 5,000 where the spouse is a registered citizen. Successful applicants acquire Ugandan citizenship; this is distinct from the residence-permit track.

• Work: On grant of citizenship the holder has full and unrestricted work rights.
• Study: Full access to education as a citizen on grant.
• Residency: This is a citizenship route rather than a residence permit; citizenship is acquired on registration.
• Family: Children's citizenship is determined separately under the Constitution and Act.

Government fee

$200

Class G1 is the entry permit for missionaries, volunteers and workers serving with non-governmental organisations and faith-based organisations in Uganda. To support charitable and missionary work the 2021 fees regulations set Class G1 in a concessionary band: about USD 250 for 6-12 months, USD 500 for 24 months and USD 750 for 36 months. Applicants must show affiliation with a registered NGO or religious organisation and the nature of their voluntary or missionary role. The permit authorises the named voluntary, missionary or NGO work and does not by itself authorise other paid employment.

• Work: Authorises the named voluntary, missionary or NGO work only.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Spouse and children under 18 may apply for a dependant pass linked to the permit.

Government fee

$250

Validity

365 days

Class A is the entry permit for persons holding official or diplomatic passports who are employees of organisations exempted from immigration fees, and (as Class A2) for contractors employed by and paid by the Government of Uganda. Class A diplomatic-service permits are issued free of charge; Class A2 government-contractor permits carry graduated fees of about USD 250 (6 months), USD 500 (12 months), USD 1,000 (24 months) and USD 1,500 (36 months) under the 2021 fees regulations. The permit authorises the holder's official duties in Uganda.

• Work: Authorises the official duties for which the permit is granted.
• Family: Accompanying family typically covered by diplomatic arrangements or a dependant pass.

Government fee

$0

Validity

1,095 days

The certificate of residence is Uganda's long-term/permanent residence document, issued by the National Citizenship and Immigration Board to foreigners who have lawfully and continuously resided in Uganda for the qualifying period (commonly ten years for the long-stay route). Applicants must show ten years of legal, uninterrupted residence, a contribution to Uganda's socioeconomic or intellectual development, no criminal record at home or abroad, and that they are not bankrupt or destitute. Certificates may be issued for 5 years, 10 years or, in some cases, for life; the 10-year certificate fee is around USD 3,500 including processing. The certificate confers the right to live and work in Uganda without a work permit and is renewable.

• Work: Confers the right to live and work in Uganda without a separate work permit.
• Study: May study in Uganda.
• Residency after 10 years
• Family: Family members may hold dependant passes linked to the certificate holder's status.

Government fee

$3,500

Validity

3,650 days