A Uganda visa for Somali passport holders is available for any Somali citizen with the intention to visit Uganda for business or pleasure. In recent times foreign nationals have increased in number that visits Uganda, and many of them are from East Africa, including Somalians. For those looking to escape the chaotic life in Somalia to enjoy a perfect getaway in peace in the Republic of Uganda, they need a visa first.
Uganda
Uganda is a tourist paradise with some of Africa’s iconic natural landmarks like the Rift Valley and Lake Victoria, just to mention a few. Like most of East Africa, Uganda also has an abundance of wildlife and is one of the top destinations for visitors seeking out wildlife in the region. The capital city, Kampala, has resorts, restaurants, and luxury hotels to cater to the needs of visitors coming to have a good time.
So there is so much to see in Uganda as a tourist. Besides tourism, the country is open for business with a thriving services and agro sector employing thousands of Ugandans. So if you plan to visit for business, you will find a welcoming and friendly population in Uganda.
Do Somalians Need A Visa To Enter Uganda?
Somalians need an online visa to enter Uganda even though Somalia is a co-East African country. Somalia passport holders don’t enjoy visa exemption or waivers, so they must first secure a visa before entering the country through the land borders or through the air.
Types of Visas For Somali Passport Holders
The government of Uganda issues three types of visas to Somali citizens interested in visiting the country, and they are as follows.
Tourist E Visa: The tourist e visa is a legal permit allowing the holder to visit Uganda for the purpose of tourism or other short-term activities. The visa is valid for 90 days and can be extended before it expires. This visa allows the tourist to visit any of the country's historic landmarks or tourist sites. However, Somalis don’t have to visit any visa center or the Ugandan embassy before they can obtain the electronic visa; it is available online, and they only need to submit soft copies of their documents and an online application form.
E Transit Visa: An E transit visa is for those taking connecting flights from Uganda to another destination. With an e-transit visa, you can stay in Uganda for 3-7 days before continuing your trip. This visa is not required if you don’t Entebbe Interested Airport.
East Africa Tourist Visa
An East African tourist visa is a special visa agreement between the governments of Uganda, Kenya, and Rwanda. This visa allows visitors to visit all three countries on a single travel document rather than three. Since it is recognized by all three countries, you don’t have to apply for three different visas if you plan to enjoy your holidays in different cities. You can simply apply for the visa online to one country and use the same for the other two.
The East African visa is issued for tourism and is valid for 90 days. This multiple-entry visa is the best option for visiting many sites in the region. It is available online, so Somalis don’t have to visit the Uganda embassy to obtain it.
Requirements For Uganda Visa For Somali Passport Holders
As a Somali passport holder, there are certain requirements you must fulfill to apply for successfully and obtain this visa. Let us review them.
Completed Application Form: The visa application form must be completed and signed by the applicant. The form should contain accurate information, not falsified details that may lead to rejection.
Somali Passport: A passport valid for 6 months minimum is required. The passport must also have at least 2 blank pages for visa stamps a thr arrival and departure points.
Passport-Sized Photograph: A Passport sized photograph taken on a clear face with no makeup or glasses.
The image should be 35mm x 45mm dimensions.
Proof of Accommodation: You must submit a copy of your hotel reservation or a house address where you plan to stay during your time in the country.
Return Ticket: A copy of a confirmed return flight ticket back to Somalia or your location after the trip. This document will serve as proof that you have every intention to return to your country.
Yellow Fever vaccination: A yellow fever vaccination certificate against Yellow Fever
Negative COVID-19 Test: Somalians are also required to either provide a COVID-19 vaccination certificate or a negative COVID-19 PCR test result to show they don’t have the virus in line with the guidelines as laid out by the Ugandan Ministry of Health.
How To Apply For A Uganda Visa For Somali Passport Holders?
To apply for a Uganda visa, you must complete and submit the online e-visa application form by doing the following.
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Uganda as your destination
Select Somali as your country of citizenship
Choose the visa you want
Fill out the visa application form
Scan and attach all necessary documents
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
The e-visa will be approved if your documents are valid and forwarded to your email address. Make sure you print it out and bring it to Uganda.
E Visa Processing Time and Price
E visas are processed within 7 days maximum, and the visa application fee ranges from $40 -$55.