eVisa East Africa – Complete Guide to the East Africa Tourist Visa

The East Africa Tourist Visa (eVisa) is a single joint visa that grants travelers access to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for USD 100, valid for 90 days with multiple entries. Launched as a regional cooperation initiative, this visa eliminates the need for three separate applications and lets you explore East Africa’s most iconic destinations — from the Maasai Mara to Bwindi’s gorillas to Rwanda’s thousand hills — on one permit.

What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa?

The East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint travel document issued under an agreement between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. It allows holders to move freely between these three countries for tourism purposes within a 90-day window. Unlike single-country visas, this regional permit supports multiple entries across all three nations without additional border fees.

Key facts about the eVisa East Africa:

• Coverage: Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda (3 countries, 1 visa)
• Cost: USD 100 (single payment)
• Validity: 90 days from the date of issue
• Entry type: Multiple entries within the three countries
• Purpose: Tourism only — employment is prohibited
• Processing time: 6–9 working days

The visa does not cover Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, or the Democratic Republic of Congo. If your itinerary includes those countries, you will need separate visas.

Which Countries Does the East Africa Visa Cover?

The eVisa East Africa covers three nations, each offering distinct travel experiences:

Kenya serves as the primary entry point for most international flights, while Kigali (Rwanda) and Entebbe (Uganda) also receive direct flights from major hubs. The visa must be obtained from the country you plan to enter first.

East Africa Visa Requirements

To apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa, you need the following documents:

1. Valid passport — at least 6 months remaining validity from your date of entry, with at least 2 blank pages
2. Passport-size photograph — recent, color, white background
3. Yellow fever vaccination certificate — mandatory for all three countries
4. Return or onward ticket — proof of departure from the region
5. Travel itinerary — outline of your plans across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda
6. Accommodation proof — hotel bookings or host letters for each country

All documents must be in English. The visa fee is non-refundable, and additional documents may be requested during processing.

How to Apply for the East Africa eVisa

The application process is entirely online. Here are the steps:

1. Choose your entry country — Apply through the immigration portal of the country you will enter first (Uganda, Kenya, or Rwanda)
2. Create an account — Register on the relevant immigration portal
3. Select visa type — Choose “East Africa Tourist Visa” or “EAC” from the dropdown
4. Fill out the application form — Enter personal details, travel dates, and itinerary
5. Upload documents — Submit passport scan, photo, yellow fever certificate, and tickets
6. Pay the fee — USD 100 via credit/debit card (plus any bank charges)
7. Receive your reference number — A six-digit application ID is generated
8. Wait for processing — Typically 6–9 working days
9. Download your eVisa — The approval letter is emailed to you; print it for travel

Apply at least 2 weeks before your trip to allow for processing delays. For a detailed walkthrough, see our step-by-step online application guide.

East Africa Visa Cost and Fees

The standard fee for the East Africa Tourist Visa is USD 100. This covers all three countries — Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda — under a single payment.

Compared to applying for three separate visas (USD 50–51 each for Kenya ETA, Uganda eVisa, and Rwanda eVisa), the joint visa offers modest savings and significant convenience. For a full cost breakdown, read our detailed fee guide.

Validity and Entry Rules

Understanding the visa’s validity rules helps you plan your itinerary without issues at the border:

• 90-day validity — Starts from the date of issuance, not the date of entry
• Multiple entries — You can cross between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda as many times as needed within the 90-day window
• Not extendable — The visa cannot be renewed while in the region
• Region-bound — If you leave the East African block (e.g., fly to Dubai or Europe), the visa becomes void for re-entry
• First entry matters — You must enter the country that issued your visa first

If you need to stay longer than 90 days, you must exit the region and apply for a new visa.

Sample 3-Week East Africa Itinerary

Here is a suggested route that maximizes your East Africa Tourist Visa:

Week 1 — Kenya

• Arrive in Nairobi (Jomo Kenyatta International Airport)
• Nairobi National Park and Giraffe Centre
• Maasai Mara safari (2–3 days)
• Lake Nakuru or Amboseli National Park

Week 2 — Uganda

• Travel overland from Nairobi to Kampala (or fly)
• Bwindi Impenetrable National Park — mountain gorilla trekking
• Queen Elizabeth National Park — tree-climbing lions
• Source of the Nile in Jinja

Week 3 — Rwanda

• Cross to Kigali by road or short flight
• Kigali Genocide Memorial
• Volcanoes National Park — golden monkey tracking
• Lake Kivu relaxation
• Depart from Kigali International Airport

This itinerary covers the highlights of all three countries within the 90-day visa window, with ample buffer time.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying through the wrong country — Always apply via the country you enter first
• Forgetting the yellow fever certificate — This is mandatory and checked at every border
• Assuming it covers Tanzania — It does not; Tanzania requires a separate visa
• Leaving the region mid-trip — The visa voids if you exit the East African block
• Applying too late — Processing takes 6–9 working days; apply at least 2 weeks ahead

Frequently Asked Questions