The East Africa Tourist Visa, Your Gateway to One of the World's Greatest Safari Regions
Imagine stepping off a plane in Nairobi, watching the golden savannah roll past your window as you head to the Maasai Mara, then crossing the border seamlessly into Uganda to sit face-to-face with mountain gorillas in the mist of Bwindi, and finishing your journey in Rwanda’s dramatic thousand hills. Now imagine doing all of that on a single visa. That is precisely what the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) makes possible — and it is one of the most traveller-friendly innovations in African tourism.
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What Is the East Africa Tourist Visa?
The East Africa Tourist Visa is a joint initiative launched in 2014 by the governments of Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Born out of a shared vision to promote the region as a unified tourism destination, the EATV allows international travellers to visit all three countries under one visa document, with multiple entries between them and no additional fees at each border crossing.
It is important to note that the visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda only. Tanzania, Burundi, and South Sudan have not yet joined the arrangement. Travellers planning to include Tanzania in their itinerary — perhaps to witness the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Serengeti or climb Mount Kilimanjaro — will need to apply for a separate Tanzanian visa through that country’s immigration portal.
Key Features at a Glance
- Cost: USD $100 per person (one of the most cost-effective ways to visit the region, since individual country visas would amount to significantly more)
- Validity: 90 days from the date of issue
- Entries: Multiple entries between Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda
- Purpose: Tourism only — employment, business work, or study is strictly prohibited
- Renewability: The visa cannot be extended or renewed upon expiry
- Critical rule: Once you leave the three-country bloc — for example, if you travel to Tanzania or transit through Dubai — the EATV is invalidated, even if the 90 days have not elapsed
When Should You Apply?
Timing is everything when it comes to securing your EATV. Most immigration authorities recommend applying at least two to four weeks before your travel date, as standard processing typically takes three to seven working days. However, during peak safari seasons — particularly July to October (the dry season and the height of the Great Migration) and December to February — immigration offices can experience higher volumes of applications, so applying earlier is always the safer choice.
Applicants are advised to submit their applications up to three months in advance of their intended travel date. Leaving the application to the last minute is one of the most common and avoidable mistakes travellers make.
Important Tips for a Smooth Experience
- Never use unofficial third-party visa agents — there are no authorised agents, and unofficial services often overcharge and may submit incorrect information.
- Book your cross-border transport before applying — many immigration officers ask for proof of onward travel within the region.
- Keep your vaccination records handy — yellow fever proof is checked routinely, and missing it can cause serious delays.
- Children need their own visas — minors travelling on their own passport must have an individual EATV, though children listed on a parent’s passport can be included on the parent’s application.
- Plan your itinerary around the visa’s entry country — your journey must begin in the country that issued your visa.
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How to Apply: A Step-by-Step Guide
The EATV application process is fully digital, and the golden rule is this: you must apply through the country where you plan to enter the region first.
If your safari begins in Kenya, apply through Kenya’s immigration portal. If you fly into Kigali first, apply through Rwanda. This first entry country also determines where your visa sticker is physically affixed to your passport upon arrival.
Step 1: Choose Your Entry Country and Portal
- Kenya: evisa.go.ke
- Uganda: visas.immigration.go.ug
- Rwanda: irembo.gov.rw
Step 2: Create an Account and Select Visa Type
On the relevant portal, register and select “East Africa Tourist Visa” (sometimes listed as V11 on the Rwandan portal) as your visa category.
Step 3: Gather Your Documents
You will typically need the following:
- A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond your travel dates and at least one blank page
- A recent passport-size photograph (digital, meeting the portal’s specifications)
- Proof of accommodation bookings for each country you plan to visit
- Proof of onward travel (return or connecting flights)
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for Uganda; strongly recommended for Kenya and Rwanda)
- Travel insurance documentation (recommended)
Step 4: Complete and Submit the Application Form
Fill in all personal details accurately — any mismatch between your passport and your application can cause delays or denial at immigration. Pay the USD $100 fee online using a debit or credit card. Note that a small service and card handling surcharge may apply.
Step 5: Await Approval and Print Your Visa
Once approved, you will receive the visa confirmation by email. Print a physical copy and carry both a printed and digital version. At land border crossings especially, having your printed approval letter significantly speeds up the immigration process. At Kenyan entry points, the immigration officer will affix a physical visa sticker to your passport.
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The Bottom Line
The East Africa Tourist Visa is a transformative travel document that turns what was once a logistical headache — multiple visa applications, multiple fees, multiple border delays — into a seamless, enriching journey across one of the most breathtaking regions on Earth. Whether you are tracking the Big Five across Kenya’s open plains, hiking with silverback gorillas in Uganda’s ancient forests, or exploring Rwanda’s vibrant culture and conservation success stories, this single USD $100 visa is your most valuable travel companion.
Apply early, plan your route, carry your documents, and let East Africa do the rest.