How to Apply for East Africa Visa Online

To apply for the East Africa visa online, visit the immigration portal of your first entry country (Uganda, Kenya, or Rwanda), create an account, select “East Africa Tourist Visa,” upload your documents, pay USD 100, and receive your approved eVisa within 6–9 working days. The entire process is digital — no embassy visits required.

Which Portal Should You Use?

You must apply through the immigration portal of the country you will enter first. Here are the three official portals:

The Uganda portal is the most commonly used and has the most straightforward interface for East Africa visa applications. If you are flying into Nairobi first, use the Kenya portal.

Complete Online Application Walkthrough (Uganda Portal)

Here is the exact process using Uganda’s immigration portal, which handles the majority of East Africa visa applications:

Step 1: Access the Portal

Go to visas.immigration.go.ug in a desktop browser (Chrome or Firefox recommended). The mobile version works but the desktop experience is smoother for document uploads.

Step 2: Create Your Account

• Click “Sign Up” or “Create Account”
• Enter your email address and create a password
• Verify your email by clicking the confirmation link
• Log in with your new credentials

Step 3: Start a New Application

• Click “Start New Application” on the dashboard
• Accept the terms and conditions in the Disclaimer popup
• You will be directed to the application form

Step 4: Select Visa Type

• Visa type: Visa
• Category: Tourist
• Sub-category: East Africa Tourist Visa (or EAC)

Do not select “Ordinary Visa” or “Single Entry Visa” — those are for Uganda only and do not cover Kenya or Rwanda.

Step 5: Fill in Personal Information

Complete all required fields:

• Full name: Exactly as it appears on your passport
• Date of birth: DD/MM/YYYY format
• Nationality: Your citizenship country
• Passport number: Include all letters and numbers
• Passport expiry date: Must be 6+ months from entry date
• Gender: As on passport
• Place of birth: City and country

Step 6: Enter Travel Details

• Entry date: Your planned arrival date
• Entry port: Airport or land border crossing
• Accommodation: Hotel name and address in your first country
• Purpose of visit: Tourism

Step 7: Upload Documents

Upload each document in the required format:

Tips for successful uploads:

• Use a scanner app on your phone for clear document scans
• Ensure all text is readable — blurry uploads cause delays
• Crop out unnecessary borders and backgrounds
• Keep file names simple (no special characters)

Step 8: Review and Submit

• Review all entered information against your passport
• Check that all documents uploaded successfully
• Click “Submit Application”
• A six-digit application ID (e.g., 234790123) is generated — save this number

Step 9: Pay the Fee

• You will be redirected to the payment page
• Fee: USD 100
• Payment methods: Credit card, debit card (Visa, Mastercard)
• A small bank processing charge (USD 2–5) may apply
• After payment, you will receive a confirmation email

Step 10: Track Your Application

• Log in to the portal and check your application status
• Status options: Submitted → Under Review → Approved (or Additional Info Required)
• Processing time: 6–9 working days

Step 11: Download Your eVisa

• Once approved, you will receive an email with the approval letter as a PDF
• Download and print the letter — you need it at the border
• Also save a digital copy on your phone as backup

Kenya Portal (eTA) Process

Kenya replaced its eVisa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) in January 2024. The process is similar:

1. Visit etakenya.go.ke
2. Create an account or log in
3. Click “Apply for ETA”
4. Select “East Africa Tourist Visa” from the visa type options
5. Complete the application form
6. Upload documents (passport scan, photo, yellow fever certificate, tickets)
7. Pay USD 100 online
8. Receive approval via email (typically 48–72 hours for ETA, up to 9 days for East Africa visa)

Kenya’s portal is modern and user-friendly. The ETA component processes faster, but the East Africa visa portion may take the full processing time.

Rwanda Portal Process

Rwanda’s immigration portal handles East Africa visa applications under “Visa Issued Under Special Arrangement”:

1. Visit migration.gov.rw
2. Navigate to “Our Services” → “Visa Issued Under Special Arrangement”
3. Click “Apply” and create an account
4. Select “East Africa Tourist Visa”
5. Complete the form and upload documents
6. Pay the USD 100 fee
7. Wait for approval (6–9 working days)
8. Download and print the approval letter

Common Application Errors to Avoid

• Wrong portal: Applying through a country you are not entering first
• Name mismatch: Name on application does not match passport exactly
• Expired passport: Less than 6 months validity remaining
• Wrong visa type: Selecting single-country visa instead of East Africa Tourist Visa
• Blurry uploads: Illegible document scans
• Missing yellow fever certificate: Mandatory — applications without it are rejected
• Late application: Applying less than a week before travel

What to Do After Approval

1. Print your eVisa: Carry a physical copy — digital copies may not be accepted at all borders
2. Check details: Verify that your name, passport number, and dates are correct
3. Prepare border documents: Passport, printed eVisa, yellow fever certificate, return ticket
4. Know your entry port: Enter through the country that issued your visa
5. Save the reference number: Keep your application ID handy in case of issues

Frequently Asked Questions

Need help with documents? See our complete requirements guide. Want to know the costs? Read our fee breakdown.