PREPARE WITH A CLEARER PICTURE
East Africa Tourist Visa guides
Understand the permission, compare the fees and prepare the right documents for your first country of entry.
Reviewed · Our editorial approach
Plan a trip across the region
Choose your first-entry route
Choose the East Africa Tourist Visa route for Entebbe, Kigali or Kenya-first travel. Includes example itineraries and the effect of an outside-country stop.
Read the guideRegional visa vs Kenya eTA
Understand the difference between the regional East Africa Tourist Visa and Kenya eTA, where each applies and what Kenya-first travellers should check.
Read the guideMultiple entry & Tanzania stops
See what multiple entry means for the regional visa, why Tanzania and Zanzibar need a separate check, and how the order of your itinerary changes return planning.
Read the guidePrepare the application and budget
Documents & requirements
Compare Uganda and Rwanda document requirements, passport validity and Kenya-first preparation before starting an East Africa Tourist Visa application.
Read the guideVisa cost & fee breakdown
The regional government fee is US$100. See our US$199 inclusive assistance package, what is separate and when a regional visa may be unnecessary.
Read the guideApply online: official routes
Follow the Uganda-first or Rwanda-first application route, find official portals and understand references, payment and Kenya-first availability before applying.
Read the guideCheck processing time, arrival and validity
Processing time & application timing
Compare published Uganda and Rwanda timing guidance, plan for extra checks and understand why payment or an application number is not a travel approval.
Read the guideOn arrival or before travel?
Check the difference between Rwanda’s published arrival option, Uganda’s pre-travel approval route and Kenya’s current regional eTA availability.
Read the guideValidity, start date & extensions
Understand the published 90-day validity, Uganda’s issue-date wording, expiry checks and why a border crossing does not restart an East Africa Tourist Visa.
Read the guideHave your itinerary ready?
Check your first-entry route →