What counts as your first country of entry?
Start with the place where you first pass immigration into the participating area. Look at your actual routing, including any connection where you enter the country. Do not choose the issuing country simply because its application looks easier.
If a connection keeps you airside and you do not enter that country, ask your carrier and the authority how the itinerary is treated. This planner does not decide transit eligibility.
Three examples to check against your tickets
These examples explain the first-entry decision; they do not confirm eligibility for a particular passport. Your actual documents, purpose and permissions still need review.
| Example route | Preparation route | Important check |
|---|---|---|
| Entebbe → Kigali → Nairobi | Uganda-first regional route | First immigration entry is Uganda. |
| Kigali → Kampala → Nairobi | Rwanda-first regional route | Confirm Rwanda’s regional category before travel. |
| Nairobi → Kampala → Kigali | Kenya entry + onward checks | Regional eTA is currently marked coming soon. |
What if I add Tanzania or Zanzibar?
Treat an outside-country stop as a new planning question. Tanzania and Zanzibar are outside this three-country arrangement. Uganda’s regional guidance says the visa is not renewable after expiry or exit from the bloc. Do not assume you can return on the original permission.
For example, Entebbe → Kigali → Zanzibar → Nairobi combines a regional journey with an outside stop. Check both the Tanzania permission and the permission for your later return before buying a visa service.
If your first flight changes, recheck the route
- Compare your new first arrival with the issuing authority.
- Ask the issuing authority before relying on permission issued for a different first-entry plan.
- Recheck travel dates, onward permissions and any outside-country stop.
- Keep the authority’s reply and the issued document with your travel records.
A changed ticket does not automatically change the conditions of an issued visa.
Planning a family itinerary
Write down the same first-entry order for every traveller, then check each person’s passport and circumstances separately. Do not assume that an adult’s permission or exemption automatically covers a child. Confirm any guardian or child-specific evidence directly with the issuing authority.
Each traveller must be considered individually. Group or family assistance is being prepared and is not open for purchase.
Questions & answers
Can I apply through Rwanda and land in Uganda first?
The pre-travel issuing route must match the first country of entry. If your first arrival is Uganda, review Uganda’s route instead of assuming a Rwanda-issued visa fits the plan.
Rwanda Immigration ↗Can I start in Kenya?
A Kenya-first journey can be planned, but the official portal currently labels the regional eTA coming soon. Check the Kenya permission or exemption and separate onward-entry requirements before purchasing.
Kenya eTA ↗PUT THIS GUIDE TO WORK
Match the route to your trip.
Check your first-entry route, documents and the full cost. Our assistance service is being prepared; no application or payment is accepted yet.
Check my first-entry route