Uganda permanent residence: the certificate of residence

Long stay: you must have lived in Uganda continuously and legally for at least 10 years, shown through your successive permits, passes or certificates, and have contributed to the country's socio-economic development, for example as an employer, taxpayer or through charitable and community work.

Marriage: you must be legally married to a Ugandan citizen for at least 3 years and be living legally in Uganda, on a work permit, dependant pass or student pass if you are resident. Former Ugandans: you must have held Ugandan citizenship before and have acquired another citizenship.

NCIC asks for a valid police clearance, a medical report from a recognised health facility, recommendations from two referees in Uganda and from the Local Council 1 of your area, the passport page and a photo, and evidence of at least 10 years of continuous legal stay. Tax and social security records carry much of the weight: a letter of compliance from the Uganda Revenue Authority, a valid income tax clearance, the list of your employees with their National Social Security Fund contributions, PAYE records for yourself and your employees, and evidence of your social contribution, such as charitable donations, community outreach or care for orphans.

Long stay: USD 4,000 for 5 years, USD 3,500 for 10 years and USD 3,000 for life, as published by NCIC, including a USD 200 processing fee. Marriage: USD 2,000. Former Ugandan: USD 200. Online payments carry a 3% surcharge, and fees are not refunded on refusal.

Holders of older manual certificates of residence for life must have them digitised: NCIC's procedure is an online submission, a UGX 100,000 payment slip paid at the bank and biometric capture at the immigration office.

File the application on visas.immigration.go.ug under Permit, choosing the certificate of residence and the relevant category. Upload the documents and pay; after approval report to the immigration office with the documents, receipts, approval letter and passport for biometrics. A rejected applicant may appeal to the Minister of Internal Affairs through the portal within 30 days, after paying the appeal fee at a bank.

Applicants married to a Ugandan provide the marriage certificate certified by the Uganda Registration Services Bureau (URSB), the Ugandan spouse's written consent and a copy of their passport or national ID, a Local Council 1 recommendation, a medical report, a valid police report from Interpol or the home country, the passport page and photo, proof of legal stay in Uganda, a cover letter and children's birth certificates if the couple has children. A marriage concluded abroad therefore needs to be certified by URSB before you apply. The couple must appear before the board when called.