Uganda Tourist Visa & Customs Information

uganda visas for tourists

Uganda Tourist Visa Information
Helpful information to help you obtain a tourist visa and entry into Uganda:

Most foreign nationals from overseas will need a visa in order to enter Uganda. Uganda makes it quite easy for tourist to visit the Pearl of Africa. Since tourism means money invested in Uganda's economy.
You can obtain visas in two manners:

You can apply and purchase a visa abroad in many countries such as Belgium, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Russian Federation, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA. This is usually done by applying either in person, with two passport pictures and an application that you can download from the Embassy website in your country of origin. You can also look for instructions as to how to mail it to them with express mail of some kind and receive it back to you in a short period of time.
The second and easier way is for tourists to apply for the visa at the point of entry such as the border or Entebbe Airport. No pictures are required, lowering your cost and no mail is required. Just fill out your entrance form and fill in the passport information and dates, and that is your application. For most tourists the cost will 50 USD upon entry and cover up to 90 days.

Uganda Visa Hints:

You will find that immigration officials are quite helpful and for the most part silent. Be sure that your visa covers your full stay in Uganda. It has been the habit to simply stamp 30 days into your passport, you need to be politely vocal and most often your request will be met.

Ugandans often find it hard getting a visa elsewhere, but once they receive it, they are covered for their full stay, in Uganda if you entering for a longer period of time, you may have a bit of difficulty. Even if you have a six month or one year visa in your passport, issued by the embassy of Uganda in your country of origin, you may find that you only will receive a stamp for two months and I have found that you have to re-apply anew at immigration and pay anew. Save your money and pay 50 USD for a 90 day visa application and take the days you can get and go to the Ugandan Immigration office on Jinja Road in Kampala.

Again, if you are coming as a tourist, your dates will most likely be covered in full, especially if you are coming for a safari for a two week or three week period. If you plan to re-enter Uganda and visit other countries from there you can get a multiple-entry visa. Or just apply for another entry visa as you approach the point of entry into Uganda.

Immigration officials were trained in 2007 in customer service before the Commonwealth Head of Government Ministers Meeting in Uganda and I have found them to be very courteous and have never had an official at point of entry ask me for some bribe.

Things you will need in order to obtain your visa upon entry into Uganda.

Valid Passport issued by your country of origin.
International Health Certificate showing that you have had a yellow fever shot.
Return Ticket to country of origin: This is usually not asked for, but can be.
Enough funds or ways to obtain funds: In some rare situations you might be asked if you have sufficient funds with you while you are in Uganda.

Custom Information for entrance and exit into and from Uganda:

You can bring with you, 400 cigarettes or 500 grams of tobacco. One bottle of spirits or wine, and or 2 1/2 liters of beer, 1oz of perfume.
You can take out of country most souvenirs, items that will need special permits and are restricted are game trophies, tooth, bone, horn, shells, claws, skin, hair, feathers, or any other items requiring export permits.

Enjoy your stay in Uganda, and thankfully in most circumstances official make it easy to enter Uganda.

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