Thursday, October 24, 2024

What’s the East Africa Vacationer Visa? A definitive information [UPDATED] – Diary of a Muzungu

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The thought of a single regional East Africa Vacationer Visa is to make it simpler – and extra financially engaging – for vacationers to go to the entire area.

You must be capable of go to the three nations of Uganda + Rwanda + Kenya on a single visa – or so the idea goes. For those who get pleasure from cross-border journey suggestions and tales, you may get pleasure from No hurry in Africa – the bus from Kigali to Kampala and The actual ‘boda boda’ – Nagawa travels sidesaddle into Kenya.

On this weblog publish you can find particulars concerning the completely different East Africa Vacationer Visa utility processes for Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. Though the three nations share a vacationer visa, the applying differs, based on the nation the place you begin your East African travels.

With out an East Africa Vacationer Visa, you could spend a minimal of $130 to go to the three nations: Kenya ($50) + Rwanda ($30) + Uganda ($50). These charges are ‘single entry’ solely, which means {that a} return go to to any of those nations means paying the visa price once more. The East Africa Tourism Visa is usually out there, though a couple of challenges stay.

“The holder of the East Africa Vacationer Visa shall enter from the nation that issued the visa and transfer inside the two different nations with out making use of for an additional visa or paying for an additional visa price.”

Doesn’t that sound good?

East Africa Tourist Visa www.visiteastafrica.org
East Africa Vacationer Visa. Take pleasure in all three nations – Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda – with one vacationer visa
  1. Which nations does the East Africa Vacationer Visa cowl?
  2. How a lot is the East Africa Vacationer Visa?
  3. How lengthy is the East Africa Vacationer Visa legitimate for?
  4. Is there a restrict to the variety of occasions you’ll be able to go to every nation?
  5. Can I prolong my East Africa Vacationer Visa?
  6. Can I work on an East Africa Vacationer Visa?
  7. How do I apply for the East Africa Vacationer Visa? Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda
  8. What’s an Interstate Cross and the way do I apply for it?
  9. Which different nations will be a part of the East Africa Vacationer Visa?
  10. Do you could have any questions concerning the East Africa Vacationer Visa?

I begin by sharing the official info. Scroll additional down the web page for some sensible journey suggestions. You probably have any extra visa or journey info to share, please add feedback beneath this text or message me straight I’ll then replace this web page.

Cyanika Uganda Rwanda border
East Africa Vacationer Visa signpost welcoming you on the Uganda border with Rwanda. That’s my dad! 😍
  • Which nations does the East Africa Vacationer Visa cowl?

Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda – with extra nations becoming a member of sooner or later.

  • How a lot is the East Africa Vacationer Visa?

100 USD for internationals.

The EATV is freed from cost to international residents / expats (with legitimate work permits) within the three nations: Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda. For these sorts of travellers the EATV is issued within the type of an “interstate go.”

International residents and residents of the three nations must journey with a sound passport or Nationwide ID or Scholar ID and request an Interstate Cross on the border. (NOTE to East Africans: when you don’t have a passport, you could be requested to purchase a Non permanent Journey Doc. In Uganda, this prices 10k UGX and may be purchased on the border or at Uganda Immigration in Port Bell, Kampala).

  • How lengthy is the East Africa Vacationer Visa legitimate for?

90 days

  • Is there a restrict to the variety of occasions you’ll be able to go to every nation?

No. The East Africa Vacationer Visa is a a number of entry visa.

In response to Carmen Nibigira, Regional Coordinator, East Africa Tourism Platform, the East Africa Vacationer Visa entitles the traveller to 90 days uninterrupted journey out and in of the three collaborating nations.  NOTE: the East Africa Vacationer Visa is barely a number of entry solely inside the EATV zone. As soon as you permit the zone (e.g. go to Tanzania, which isn’t a part of the EATV, regardless that it’s an EAC nation), you will want to use for a brand new East Africa Vacationer Visa.

  • Can I prolong my East Africa Vacationer Visa?

No. You can not prolong the East Africa Vacationer Visa. To get a brand new EATV, it’s worthwhile to exit the EATV zone and apply for a brand new one, as detailed beneath. (June 2018: suggestions from a number of vacationers is that you’re now in a position to buy an East Africa Vacationer Visa when already within the zone e.g. on the street border between Uganda and Rwanda. This has not been publicised however appears pretty frequent observe).

  • Can I work on an East Africa Vacationer Visa?

Official line: “Work is prohibited.”

Sample of an East Africa Tourist Visa
Pattern of an East Africa Vacationer Visa
  • The right way to apply for the East Africa Vacationer Visa

It’s essential to notice that the method for buying the East Africa Vacationer Visa differs based on the nation you journey to first. October 2022: it’s straightforward to get an East Africa Vacationer Visa in all three nations. Nonetheless: for Uganda and Kenya, you have to apply on-line prematurely for all visasa; for Rwanda, apply on-line in advnace or get visa on arrival.

The system has been computerised (hooray! no extra kinds to fill in). While you arrive on the airport / border, you’ll be requested how lengthy you wish to keep. You hand over your passport, they print a type along with your particulars and also you pay $100. You must get an East Africa Vacationer Visa sticker in your passport. That is signed and stamped.

“For any questions, contact the diplomatic missions of the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda earlier than you journey.”

  • How do I apply for the East Africa Vacationer Visa if I’m getting into Kenya first?

If Kenya is your first level of entry, contact your native Kenyan embassy for particulars on find out how to buy your East Africa Vacationer Visa earlier than you begin your journey. Alternatively, purchase your East Africa Vacationer Visa upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta Worldwide Airport (JKIA) or Mombasa.

eCitizen is Kenya’s Division of Immigration Providers on-line portal for visa functions. At present that is for single entry visas and transit visas solely (NOT the EATV). (Checked once more October 2022).

For additional clarification earlier than you journey to Kenya, contact eVISA Buyer Care.
Basic queries: +254 202 222 022, +254 110 922 063, +254 110 922 064.
Fee queries: +254 110 922 062. E-mail: evisa@immigration.go.ke

The Muzungu’s advice: apply for an East Africa Vacationer Visa at your nearest Kenyan Embassy, earlier than you journey. (Notice: that is an exterior website so I can’t verify all the information is updated).

  • How do I apply for the East Africa Vacationer Visa if I’m getting into Rwanda first?

Since January 2018, Rwanda points visas on arrival to all nationals. This consists of East Africa Vacationer Visas. Nonetheless, you can even apply on-line prematurely when you desire.

If Rwanda is your first level of entry to the EATV zone, use the Rwanda On-line Visa Utility System to use for the Class T12 East Africa Vacationer Visa. Below “Sort of Visa” choose “East Africa Vacationer Visa.” Right here you can find a web based utility type and all of the steering crucial to use for an East Africa Vacationer Visa.

The Muzungu’s advice: in case you have any flexibility in your itinerary, enter the East Africa Vacationer Visa zone through Rwanda. They’ve the only utility course of with one of the best pointers.

  • How do I apply for the East Africa Vacationer Visa if I’m getting into Uganda first?

If Uganda is your first level of entry, you’ll be able to request your East Africa Vacationer Visa at your native Ugandan embassy. (Notice: that is an exterior website so I can’t verify all the information is uptodate). 

October 2022 In principle, you should purchase your East Africa Vacationer Visa in money (US {dollars}/GBP/Euros) on arrival at Entebbe Worldwide Airport, however you is probably not allowed to board the airplane with out your visa approval letter). Subsequently, use the Uganda Digital Visa/Allow Utility System to buy your East Africa Vacationer Visa. Please learn my weblog NOW LIVE: apply for Ugandan vacationer visas on-line, which I overview incessantly. (This consists of data on Ugandan single entry vacationer visas, East Africa Vacationer Visas, enterprise visas, transit visas, work permits, dependent’s go and extra).

Screenshot showing documents needed to apply for East Africa Tourist Visa online
Screenshot displaying paperwork wanted to use for East Africa Vacationer Visa on-line

The Muzungu’s advice: At Entebbe Worldwide Airport, immigration could insist you present a duplicate of ‘an itinerary proving onward journey in East Africa.’ Strictly talking, this isn’t a requirement of the East Africa Vacationer Visa. Nonetheless, don’t argue with immigration (like I’ve earlier than, to my price); they aways have the final phrase. You might be suggested to carry an itinerary with you, in case you have one, or they could deny you an EATV (and easily challenge you with a single entry Uganda vacationer visa).

  • What’s an Interstate Cross and the way do I apply for it?

Residents of Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda can now journey between the three nations with ID playing cards as a substitute of passports. No visas are wanted and there’s no cost for the Interstate Cross (a small slip of paper that’s issued on the border / airport).

Expatriates with legitimate work permits may journey with the ‘Interstate Cross,’ with no need to get a visa. Woop, woop! Be sure to preserve the Interstate Cross protected along with your passport as you could be requested to return it whenever you depart the nation.

Advice to nationals, East African residents: use National ID or work permit to travel Kenya, Rwanda Uganda
Recommendation to nationals and East African residents: use your Nationwide ID or expatriate go (work allow) to journey throughout Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda FREE of cost

In each instances, nationals and expats are merely given an Interstate Cross doc after they present their ID/passport and exit one of many three nations. This is freed from cost and issued on the border.

East Africa Interstate Pass Uganda Kenya Rwanda
The Interstate Cross is a part of the East Africa Vacationer Visa and permits visa-free journey between Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda for nationals and expats with work permits

March 2018: I travelled by street to Kenya with a Ugandan good friend. She was travelling on her Ugandan ID card. Immigration insisted she buy a Non permanent Journey Doc at Busia (price 10k UGX) regardless that the East Africa Vacationer Visa / Interstate Cross permits nationals to journey on their ID. At Busia, Interpol needed to interview my good friend. They have been suspicious of a younger Ugandan travelling on her ID card and defined that individuals traffickers are recognized to carry the younger individuals’s passports for them on the different finish of their journey. On our return bus journey, one vulnerable-looking younger lady was intercepted by Interpol. It was clear she was being trafficked. The expertise was sobering.

East Africa Tourist Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. Visit East Africa
The East Africa Vacationer Visa covers Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. Go to East Africa
  • Which different nations will be a part of the East Africa Vacationer Visa?

Tanzania

It was introduced in 2014 that Tanzania would be a part of the East Africa Vacationer Visa however there isn’t a info out there on-line. [Checked again October 2022].

Burundi

Sadly, few persons are travelling to Burundi presently due to the political scenario. We hope life in Burundi improves shortly and that we will welcome them to the EATV occasion earlier than too lengthy.

South Sudan

At some point, we hope…

DR Congo

In 2022, the Democratic Republic of Congo turned the seventh member of the EAC however there isn’t a information about it becoming a member of the East Africa Vacationer Visa.

  • The East Africa Vacationer Visa. What’s the scenario on the bottom?

(What the tour operators could not let you know)

Formally, you possibly can solely get the EATV whenever you first entered the EATV zone, both prematurely on-line or at an embassy / diplomatic mission / on arrival on the airport (Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda). 

These are the 4 (official) factors of entry for the East Africa Vacationer Visa however cross-country borders appear to challenge the EATV now as effectively:

  1. Uganda – Entebbe Worldwide Airport
  2. Rwanda – Kigali Worldwide Airport
  3. Kenya – Nairobi, Jomo Kenyatta Worldwide Airport (JKIA)
  4. Kenya – Mombasa, Moi Worldwide Airport and the Port of Mombasa.

The truth that you possibly can solely get an East Africa Vacationer Visa whenever you first entered the EATV nations was a little bit of a downside for some individuals who could arrive in a single nation, with out having made agency journey plans. It’s fairly frequent for travellers to reach with out an itinerary. Somebody could come to Uganda to trace the gorillas, for instance, and resolve they wish to journey to the Kenyan coast subsequent.

Visas issued for particular nations can solely be used for that specific nation.

East Africa Tourist Visa. Uganda to Rwanda border crossing
Having an East Africa Vacationer Visa can prevent time crossing from Uganda into Rwanda and Kenya. Pictured right here at Gatuna / Katuna, en route from Kampala to Kigali

Notes from family and friends relating to the East Africa Vacationer Visa

In its preliminary type, the EATV was not as versatile because it may very well be, notably for backpackers and price range vacationers who make up their journey plans as they go. I do know individuals who arrived in Uganda on a single nation vacationer visa however who then determined to journey inside East Africa. My pals’ expertise was that if you end up travelling by street, the scenario was even much less clear:

Bear in mind: At Entebbe Worldwide Airport, immigration could ask you to supply a duplicate of ‘an itinerary proving onward journey in East Africa.’ Strictly talking, this isn’t a requirement of the East Africa Vacationer Visa. Nonetheless, you’re suggested to carry one with you, in case you have one. Lodge bookings serve the identical function.

Diary of a Muzungu Uganda Rwanda border Gatuna Bradt Rwanda guidebook
Indispensable: Bradt Rwanda guidebook in hand! Bradt are doubtless one of the best guidebooks for Rwanda and Uganda (and Ethiopia too). Photograph of Charlotte AKA Diary of a Muzungu throughout development works at Gatuna, Rwanda border. [October 2022] This identical spot is now bling bling!

Do you could have any recommendation to share? If that’s the case, please add your feedback beneath or be at liberty to contact the Muzungu. For those who’re in search of extra East Africa visa recommendation, learn NOW LIVE: apply for Ugandan vacationer visas on-line and Rwanda pronounces: all vacationers can get #VisaOnArrival.

… For those who find it irresistible … share it! 😉



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