Slug: /blog/visa-and-safety/uganda-evisa-vs-east-african-tourist-visa/ Category: Visa & Safety Author: Remmy N. Published: 2026-07-01 | Updated: 2026-07-01 Featured image: blog-uganda-visa-t9.jpg (T9 interim) Internal experience link: /experiences/

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Remmy N. Founder, Hello East Africa. Based in Kampala. Published 1 Jul 2026 | Updated 1 Jul 2026 | 4 min read

The simple rule

If your trip is only Uganda, apply for the Uganda tourist eVisa.

If your trip includes Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda in one holiday, consider the East African Tourist Visa.

The Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control lists the Uganda tourist visa fee at USD 50. It lists the East African Tourist Visa fee at USD 100. Visa fees are non-refundable and may carry bank charges.

If you are still choosing the trip shape, browse our Uganda experiences first. The visa choice should follow the route, not the other way around.

When the Uganda tourist eVisa is enough

Choose the Uganda tourist eVisa if:

  • You land in Entebbe.
  • You stay in Uganda only.
  • You are doing Bwindi, Murchison, Kibale, Queen Elizabeth, Jinja, Kampala, or Entebbe without crossing into Kenya or Rwanda.
  • You may leave Uganda at the end and fly home.

For most Hello East Africa guests, this is the default.

When the East African Tourist Visa makes sense

Choose the East African Tourist Visa if:

  • You enter through Uganda and also visit Kenya and Rwanda.
  • You want one regional tourist visa for the three countries.
  • Your route is something like Entebbe, Bwindi, Kigali, Nairobi.
  • Your first port of entry matches the country that issued the visa.

Do not use it for Tanzania. Tanzania is not part of the East African Tourist Visa arrangement. Do not use it for Burundi. Check official guidance before payment if your route crosses more than the three named countries.

Yellow Fever certificate

Visa approval is not the only document to check. CDC guidance for Uganda says Yellow Fever vaccination is required for arriving travellers aged one year or older, and Uganda is a Yellow Fever risk country. Uganda Civil Aviation Authority guidance also says arriving passengers are required to present authentic vaccination cards.

Carry the certificate. Do not rely on a screenshot alone.

Common mistakes

The main mistakes are:

  • Applying through a paid third-party site when you meant to use the official portal.
  • Applying for the East African Tourist Visa when the trip is Uganda only.
  • Entering through the wrong country for the regional visa.
  • Forgetting the Yellow Fever certificate.
  • Leaving the application until the last minute.
  • Uploading unreadable documents.

For a smooth trip, start visa checks as soon as your route is settled.

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Verified as of 1 Jul 2026 by Hello East Africa.

Sources:

  • Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control tourist visa page.
  • Uganda Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control East African Tourist Visa page.
  • CDC Uganda traveller health page.
  • Uganda Civil Aviation Authority aviation health tips.

Spot an outdated visa figure? Email info@helloeastafrica.com.

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  • Is Uganda safe to visit right now?
  • First day in Entebbe after a long flight.
  • Flying from Dubai to Entebbe: what to know.

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Written by Remmy N. Founder of Hello East Africa. Based in Kampala. Twelve years building gorilla and safari trips for guests from the UK, US and UAE. Licensed UTB tour operator. More from Remmy: /author/remmy-n/