PassportSouth Africa

Uganda: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Uganda. You can stay up to 90 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

e-Visa required before travel. South Africa is not on Uganda's visa-exempt list (only South African diplomatic and official passports are exempt). Uganda states that no visas are issued on arrival: you must apply online first.145

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Single-entry visa covers tourism, medical treatment, family visits and similar; business and other purposes have their own document lists. No work on a visitor or tourist visa.25

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

At least 6 months validity. US advice: 6 months beyond arrival, with one blank page.2513

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

Apply on the official portal visas.immigration.go.ug. You get a six-digit application ID, and the approval letter (with barcode) is emailed to you. Print it; biometrics are taken and the visa is issued at the border or an immigration office. Fees: single entry US$50; East Africa Tourist Visa US$100; multiple entry US$100 (6 to 12 months) or US$200 (24 months); transit US$50. Fees are non-refundable and bank charges apply. Processing: 2 to 3 working days.1235911

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Online only at visas.immigration.go.ug. The High Commission of Uganda in Pretoria points applicants to the same portal.110

Confirmed on an official government source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Not listed for the single-entry tourist visa. Required for the East Africa Tourist Visa (return ticket and travel itinerary).23

Confirmed on an official government source

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Depends on purpose: tourism may need a tour plan or accommodation booking; family visits need an invitation letter.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

UGANDA: On 2 October 2026 Uganda's Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control said a yellow fever certificate is no longer mandatory for entry. Older pages (EATV page, Ugandan embassy pages, UK FCDO updated 2 September 2026) still list it, so carry your certificate anyway. Uganda's Ebola outbreak was declared over on 25 August 2026. SOUTH AFRICA: Uganda is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list. Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Uganda, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life. This SA rule still applies even though Uganda dropped its own entry requirement.3611141578

Confirmed on an official government source

Arrival forms

Print and carry the emailed e-Visa approval letter. No other arrival form found.211

Confirmed on an official government source

Extending your stay and overstaying

Initial stay may be extended for another 60 days in 2 intervals. The East Africa Tourist Visa cannot be extended inside the country. Overstay penalties are not published on the official site.23

Confirmed on an official government source

Transit

Transit visa US$50, applied for on visas.immigration.go.ug. Conditions and length not published on the pages checked.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

2 October 2026Uganda's immigration directorate said a yellow fever certificate is no longer mandatory for entry into Uganda.
25 August 2026WHO declared Uganda's Ebola outbreak over (20 cases, May to June 2026). UK FCDO updated its advice on 2 September 2026.
4 June 2026US State Department raised Uganda to Level 4, Do not travel (crime, health, terrorism, unrest), during the Ebola outbreak.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda immigration.go.ug
  2. 2Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda immigration.go.ug
  3. 3Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda immigration.go.ug
  4. 4Embassy of Uganda, Bujumbura (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) bujumbura.mofa.go.ug
  5. 5Embassy of Uganda, Washington DC (Ministry of Foreign Affairs) washington.mofa.go.ug
  6. 6Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda immigration.go.ug
  7. 9Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, Uganda immigration.go.ug
  8. 10High Commission of Uganda, Pretoria pretoria.mofa.go.ug

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 11UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 13US Department of State travel.state.gov
  3. 14ECDC ecdc.europa.eu
  4. 15DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za

News and guides

Leads we check, never the answer

  1. 7Kenyans.co.ke kenyans.co.ke
  2. 8Travel Trade Journal traveltradejournal.com

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.