Find out how to obtain an East Africa Tourist Visa for travel to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
If you are planning a trip to East Africa, which will take you through several countries, you have the opportunity, through a process set up by the Kenyan government, to benefit from the East Africa Tourist Visa. This tourist visa is actually an e-visa that allows you to enter and travel to Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. This means that you do not need to apply for separate visas for these countries. But this visa is of course valid if you only enter one of these three countries. One of the advantages of the East Africa Tourist Visa is that it is applied for 100% online, which is both quick and convenient.
East Africa Tourist Visa: key points
- The East Africa Tourist Visa allows you to visit Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda.
- The East Africa Tourist Visa can be obtained online using a 100% electronic procedure
- The East Africa visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue.
- The East Africa Tourist Visa can be obtained in 2 to 3 working days.
As mentioned in the introduction, the East Africa Tourist Visa is a visa that allows travel to Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda on a single visa. It was made possible by a partnership created between these 3 countries to increase regional travel and allow tourists to explore the diversity of its cultures.
Another specificity of the East Africa Tourist Visa is that it is a 100% online application. You will not need to go to the embassy or consulate to apply for a traditional visa.
The East Africa visa is for all citizens who wish to visit the 3 countries for tourism purposes during a trip. Of course, this visa will not allow you to work in any of the three countries or to travel there for any other reason than tourism.
The East Africa online visa is a multiple entry visa and is valid for a full stay of up to 90 days per entry into the region. It is also necessary to apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa at least 6 working days before the date of travel. Once obtained, this visa must be used within 3 months of the date of issue.
It should also be noted that although this is a multiple entry visa, it will automatically expire when you leave the region. If you travel to Kenya and leave the country to go to Europe before going to Rwanda or Uganda, you will not be able to re-use this visa and will have to apply again.
There is a fee for obtaining a visa for East Africa. The price for an East Africa visa is 100 US dollars, although this amount may vary depending on the country concerned and the type of visa requested.
It is essential to stress that various other charges may be added to the overall price. If you opt for a service provider that offers assistance and support services, this may result in additional expenses during the East Africa visa acquisition process. It is advisable to set aside a sufficient budget to avoid any unforeseen financial constraints during this essential administrative procedure.
The procedure for obtaining a visa for East Africa has been simplified thanks to online submission. However, despite this ease, the time taken can vary. In general, once payment has been validated, the application is processed within 6 to 8 working days. This is only an estimate, however, and may be extended if the market is busy.
It is essential to take account of public holidays and weekends when estimating the time it will take to obtain a visa. These non-working periods can effectively extend the processing time. It is advisable to apply early to avoid any potential inconvenience. In the event of unforeseen delays, applicants should be prepared to adjust their travel plans.
Obtaining a visa for East Africa may present some particularities in the case of travellers who are minors. Minors are required to have an authorisation to leave the country signed by their parents or legal guardians. This document is essential in addition to the other documents usually required for a visa application.
The application process for the East Africa Tourist Visa is done 100% online from an approved service provider like the one we recommend on this page. To apply for the visa online, you will need several documents including
If you are using the East Africa Tourist Visa for business travel, you will also need to provide other documents, including a letter of invitation from your correspondent in Kenya and a certificate of incorporation of the Kenyan company.
Finally, it should be noted that the East African Tourism Visa will not be valid for a simple transit in one of the above mentioned countries. There is in fact a specific type of visa for these transit or stopovers called the Kenya Transit Visa, which is valid for 3 days from the date of arrival and for a stay of 72 hours.
Remember that once obtained, the East Africa Tourist Visa will be valid for one entry into Kenya and then for as many border crossings as desired, between the 3 countries. As soon as you leave one of these 3 countries, the visa is automatically cancelled.
As mentioned above, the procedure for obtaining an East Africa Tourist Visa is 100% digital and is therefore done online from an approved provider. Here are the different steps to follow to obtain it:
The East Africa Tourist Visa is an electronic visa and is therefore automatically and electronically attached to your passport. It is however recommended that you print out the confirmation of your approved visa to present to border officials if necessary. You will receive your visa in a relatively short period of time, on average 2 to 3 days after your application.
Adeline HARMANT
As a web writer and globetrotter with a passion for travel and tourism, I have acquired in-depth knowledge of the procedures that are essential for travellers. I help travellers to complete all the formalities required for a successful trip, particularly when it comes to obtaining a visa online. With several years' experience in this field, I'd like to offer you some valuable advice to help you discover the world with complete peace of mind.
While all travellers from the European Union must have a valid visa to enter one of the three countries covered by the East Africa Tourist Visa, there is an exception for minors under the age of 16. Minors under 16 years of age benefit from a visa exemption for these countries, but must have a valid passport in their name.
The East Africa Tourist Visa is only valid for travel including Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It is not possible to use it to visit other East African countries. Indeed, if you wish to travel to a country other than the 3 countries mentioned here, you will have to apply for individual visas for each of the countries you wish to visit during your trip.
The East Africa visa is valid for 3 months from the date of issue. This means that you can start your trip within this 3 month period. However, once you have entered Kenya or one of the other 2 countries mentioned on the visa, your maximum stay in all 3 countries will be 90 consecutive days at the most. At the end of this period, you will have to leave East Africa to apply for a new visa if you wish to return.
