Uganda transit visa

NCIC grants the transit visa to travellers who cross Uganda to reach a third country, for instance by road towards South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo or Kenya, or when an onward flight requires an overnight stay outside Entebbe airport. Nationals of the visa-exempt countries on NCIC's list do not need it; everyone else does.

If you want to spend time in Uganda as a tourist on the way, a transit visa is the wrong choice: it lasts 7 days at most and ends when you leave. A single-entry visa at the same USD 50 fee allows a longer stay.

Upload a copy of the passport bio-data page with at least six months of validity, a recent passport-size photo, a letter giving the reason for your transit and naming the country of destination, and proof that you are permitted to enter that country, such as its visa or residence permit. The transit page still lists a yellow fever certificate, but NCIC's notice of 2 October 2026 states that it is no longer mandatory for entry. All documents must be in English.

The fee is USD 50, paid online by Visa or MasterCard with NCIC's 3% surcharge; it is not refunded if the application fails. The visa is valid for 7 days only, and NCIC states that it cannot be extended within the country once it expires, so plan your route with a margin for delays at border crossings.

Choose Visa, then the Transit category, on visas.immigration.go.ug. After you submit and pay, an officer reviews the application and emails the decision. The approval letter must be presented with your passport at the port of entry, where biometrics are taken and the visa sticker is issued. The approval itself expires 90 days after it is granted, so apply once your travel dates are fixed.