Cost of East Africa visa : The East Africa visa is a travel document which is issued to travelers visiting Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. This visa is a joint visa and is therefore purchased once and allows tourists to travel between the three countries during safaris. Tourists going to other East African countries such as Burundi and Tanzania do not use the East Africa visa.
The cost of the East Africa visa is 100 USD per person and the payment for the visa can be done using a visa card, MasterCard, credit card or using bank payment. These different options of making payments are provided during the visa application process.
The East Africa visa can be used for multiple entries in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda during tours around different destinations for the period when the visa is valid.
The validity of the East Africa is 90 days which allows tourists to explore various destinations around the different countries.
The fees paid for processing the East Africa visa is nonrefundable and at the point of entry, tourists can present a copy of the visa after it is granted.
Which countries use East Africa visa?
The countries which use the East Africa visa are Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. After successfully applying and getting the visa, tourists can be able to explore the different destinations in the three countries during safaris.
The East Africa visa in Uganda is issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration control. In Kenya, the visa can be got through the Directorate of Immigration Services and in Rwanda the East Africa visa is issued by Rwanda Directorate General of Immigration and Emigration.
How to get East Africa visa
When applying for the East Africa visa, there are different steps which are to be followed by the traveler and this depends on the country issuing the visa.
In Rwanda, the East Africa visa can be applied for online and is issued by the office of a diplomatic mission of Rwanda in the resident country of the traveler applying for the visa and the visa can also be got upon arrival in the country after being approved by the Directorate General.
Kenya and Uganda also offer the option of applying for the East Africa visa online. However visas cannot be got on arrival in Kenya and Uganda.
During the visa application process for the East Africa visa, an application form is provided which the traveler is expected to fill in on the websites for visa application for Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya. After filling in all the required information, travelers submit the visa application and pay the applicable fee.
Once the application for the visa is submitted on the immigration websites for Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya, travelers are required to patiently wait for the visa to be processed and approved. Processing times for the East Africa visa can take about 2 to 3 days.
If information filled in by the traveler applying for the East Africa visa is correct, the visa is approved by the visa issuing authorities in Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda.
Requirements for East Africa visa
Each country has its own visa requirements and processes for getting the East Africa visa. The visa is also to be applied for from through the immigration for first country to be entered using the visa which can be Uganda, Kenya or Rwanda.
Other types of visas used in Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda include single entry visa, multiple entry visas and also the transit visa.
- East Africa Visa requirements for Uganda
In Uganda, some of the requirements which individuals applying for the East Africa visa are required to attach include a copy of a valid passport. The passport should have at least 6 months validity.
Other attachments include Copy of recent Passport size Photograph, Yellow fever Vaccination Certificate, Return Ticket and a travel Itinerary.
For applying for the East Africa with Uganda as the initial point of entry, travelers are required to attach documents in English.
After completing the visa application process and the East Africa visa is approved by immigration in Uganda, travelers are required to present the documents which were uploaded, with the payment receipt for the visa and the approval letter and passport at the immigration office or border used for entry into the country.
- East Africa visa requirements for Kenya
As of January 2024 after a presidential directive, tourists travelling to Kenya will not be required to apply for visas but have to apply for an electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) before travelling to the country.
Only a few exempted persons will not have to apply for the ETA and these include holders of valid Kenya passports, holders of valid work permits and passes and Kenya permanent residence, members of diplomatic missions and international organizations accredited to Kenya.
Other individuals exempt from the ETA include the citizens of East African partner states like Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. People from these countries are exempt for a period of 6 months.
Travelers on transit through Kenya are also exempt from the ETA as long as they do not leave the airport in Kenya. Passengers arriving and leaving the country with a ship without leaving it are also exempt from the ETA. Crew members of aircraft, train, vehicle, carrier or ship whose names and particulars are included in the manifest are also exempt from ETA.
- East Africa visa requirements for Rwanda
Rwanda has a visa waiver arrangement for countries such as the African Union, Common Wealth and La francophonie who enters the country for any valid reason other than employment for a period of 30 days.
Some of the requirements for the visa include any genuine acceptable travel document valid for not less than 6 months.
Visas in Rwanda are to be received on arrival at Kigali International Airport and all land borders.
Visa exempt countries in Rwanda include citizen of East African Community Member as well as citizens from Angola, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, The Federation of Saint Christopher and Nevis, Ghana, Guinea, Indonesia, Haiti, Mauritius, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Sao Tome and Principe, Singapore and the state Qatar for the period of six months.
