Republic of Uganda visas
Uganda administers visas, entry permits, passes, certificates of residence and citizenship matters through the National Citizenship and Immigration Control portal. The public route set includes single-entry tourist visas, multiple-entry visas, the East African Tourist Visa, employer-sponsored work permits, special passes, student passes, dependant passes and certificates of residence. Foreign nationals entering for employment must comply with Uganda expatriate-employment requirements and use the immigration portal for the relevant permit or pass.
8 routes · 6 without a sponsor · 1 lead to settlement
Official portal
Primary source
National Citizenship and Immigration Control ↗ · Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda
Link last verified:
Regulators of immigration advice
- Uganda Law Society (ULS) — Professional body for legal practitioners in Uganda. There is no separate immigration-adviser regulator; immigration status is administered by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.
Visa routes (8)
Tourist Visa - single entry
Single-entry Uganda visa for tourism, medical treatment, family visits and similar short stays.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Multiple-Entry Visa
Multiple-entry Uganda visa for frequent travellers who need repeated entries but cannot work on the visa.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
East African Tourist Visa
Joint tourist visa for Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda, issued for tourism and not employment.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Entry Permit / Work Permit
Uganda work-permit framework for sponsored employees, government workers, NGO workers, investors and specified professional classes.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 25 July 2026
Special Pass
Temporary Uganda pass for short contracts, medical treatment, tourism, business exploration and similar short-term purposes.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Student Pass
Uganda pass for foreign nationals above age 4 enrolled in a Ugandan learning institution.
No sponsor needed · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Dependant Pass
Uganda family pass for spouses, children and other relatives of qualifying foreign residents or Ugandan citizens.
Sponsor required · Non-settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Certificate of Residence
Uganda residence certificate route for qualifying marriage, long-stay and former-citizen cases.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Last reviewed 13 July 2026
Planning life after your move?
Organise documents, arrival money, housing and the practical steps after visa approval. Your route conditions remain the starting point.
Frequently asked questions
How many visa routes does Republic of Uganda have?+
We cover 8 Republic of Uganda visa routes in these categories: visitor and short business, sponsored work, study, family, and general residence. Each one links to its primary government source and carries a last-reviewed date.
Which Republic of Uganda visas do not need an employer sponsor?+
6 of the 8 Republic of Uganda routes we cover can be pursued without an employer sponsor, which helps if you do not have a job offer yet. The remaining 2 are employer-sponsored.
Which Republic of Uganda visas lead to permanent residence?+
1 of the 8 routes can lead to settlement or permanent residence; the others are temporary. Open each route for its settlement detail and qualifying period.
Need tailored advice?
We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.
Find a regulated advisor in Uganda