Are you planning to visit Uganda or Rwanda? Uganda and Rwanda are incredibly credited for their biodiversity as well as other natural wonders. The two destinations offer refuge to the critically endangered mountain gorillas together with several primates, big five game including the African lions, African elephants, Leopards, Rhinos Buffaloes as well as other wildlife species in most of the safari destinations. Uganda in particular offers the mighty source of the River Nile, the cultural heritage of more than 50 tribes, Cape Mountains, natural water rafting spot and many more.
Below is a complete guide on how you can obtain a visa in Uganda and Rwanda
In most cases, getting Uganda or Rwanda visa worries many people a lot but with its familiarity as a safari destination, processing a visa is now easy.
Obtaining visas in Uganda
The simplest criterion of obtaining your visa to Uganda was by buying it at the entry point of Entebbe International Airport or any border station. However this has now been changed by Immigration and you now need to apply for your Ugandan Visa by Submitting an online application via the e-visa system or simply download, fill and submit to your respective embassy, this online application form is centrally run in Kampala and all inquiries inline to the application have to be directed to the addresses offered. It is a must to present an original passport valid for about six months from the date of travel and past the date that you feel you leave Uganda.
You only need to pay $50 for the application form with passport dates and information. The visa fee of $50 normally takes about 3 months.
The prices for visas are as follows; single entry visa $50, multiple entry visa $100, East Africa tourist visa $100.
You need an introduction letter for those coming mainly for business. An international inoculation certificate against yellow fever is a must to be presented at the point of entry to Uganda.
Enclose a prepaid UPS, USPS, DHL priority or express return envelope and regular envelopes are not allowed.
Holders of travel documents
Holders of travel documents given by the US Immigration Department to refugees are requested to present the following extra information to the above-mentioned items
An introduction letter from the host legally residing in Uganda
The host must get a letter from the local authorities-Local council one chairman
A copy of a photo ID of the host in Uganda like the driver’s license, national ID card, passport
A copy of the travel itinerary or plane ticket indicating Uganda as the destination
For citizens of the following respective states, they can as well access Uganda visas by applying online especially those from the UK, USA, South Africa, Italy, India, Germany, France, Denmark, China, Canada, Belgium, Russia and Japan. You only need to download the application form from the embassy website of your country of origin but you need to attach two passports.
Visa requirements which are most likely to change
Before you travel, make sure that you have up to date information from your respective embassy. A single entry to Uganda is offered and an arrival visitor pass is given to get a holiday, travel or do business in Uganda. Multiple visas can be given for business reasons.
The tourist visa to Uganda
All visitors to Uganda are encouraged to abide by the requirements below before getting a visa in Uganda
You must have a valid passport of nationality or origin given by your government
It is secure to have the International Inoculation Certificate against yellow fever
Tourists can also be required to present their return ticket though it is normally not requested. You are also reminded that members who are American or British citizens and nearly across the commonwealth countries and Europe also require a Ugandan visa. For those who fall under the following states listed below, you may not require visas especially African states, Tanzania, Swaziland, Seychelles, Zambia, Rwanda, Kenya, Eritrea, Comoros, Solomon islands, Cyprus, Bahamas, Antigua, Gambia, Jamaica, Lesotho, Malta, Singapore, Burundi, Angola, Mauritius, Madagascar, Malawi, St Vincent and the Grenadines islands.
For foreign Nationals who are interested in accessing a Rwandan Visa, you should present your applications to Rwandan Diplomatic Missions of your respective nation for processing. If your country has no diplomatic mission or consulate, foreign nationals can ask for a visa acceptance letter online that will be submitted on arrival to get a visa upon payment of the visa fee of $30.
For bilateral agreements, nationals of the following nations may come to Rwanda with no visa for about 3 months especially those from the Philippines, Mauritius, Hong Kong, Singapore and the Democratic Republic of Congo. East African Community partner state citizens shall be given at least six months visitors pass-renewable upon arrival at no cost. Nationals from Germany, Israel, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, Australia, the United Kingdom, Sweden and the United States of America shall be given an entry visa valid for about one month time upon arrival without prior application. Remember that visitor’s visa must not be used for employment issues
Nationals of all African states travelling to or transiting via Rwanda get an entry visa upon arrival without necessarily making prior application and pay for a visa $30 where necessary.
General information for visitors interested in obtaining a Rwanda visa
Travel document
Your application should possess a valid passport or another acceptable travel document
The document should have a validity of about six months from the day of entry in Rwanda
A vaccination certificate may be needed at the border point. In case of a major disease outbreak, specific requirements would be set and put with the cons cense of the public
If your applications are denied or withdrawn by you, a refund of the fees won’t be made
Take note of the maximum and minimum validity period of the visa that is outlined in the information for the applicant for every visa class
Either the visa is given for single entry or multiple entries information is spelt out for the applicants for every visa class
You should also have adequate finances to cater for the expenses of living in Rwanda and this can be accessed online at the Rwandan foreign mission or at the entry point.
Extension of visa for some classes
Some visa classes can be extended and the details can be sighted in the information provided for the applicants for every class. This can be applied for but the original visas remain valid. A grace period of five days after a visa has expired is allowed for a visitor to either leave or renew the visa at no cost otherwise you might be subjected to penalty and or denied visa extension.
Change the status
You may apply to the Director-General for another class of visa while they are in Rwanda and their current visa remains valid. In the case of a group tourist, visa altering status may not be allowed and this will be indicated in the information for applicants for specific visa classes in case a change of status is not permitted.
For verification, you need a marriage certificate, death certificate, birth certificate and adoption certificate must be certified or real copies by the issuing authority as well as police clearance must be original.
In c0nclusion, a visa is an important document that you need to obtain if you are planning your business or safaris to Uganda or Rwanda. It allows you to access the destination easily and transact within its validity period.