East Africa Visa Requirements: Complete 2026 Checklist

The East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) costs $100 USD and grants 90 days of multiple-entry access to Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. Before you apply, you need to gather several mandatory documents. This guide covers every requirement in detail so your application is not delayed or rejected.

Mandatory Documents

To apply for the East Africa Tourist Visa, you must prepare the following items:

Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity and 2 blank pages
Recent passport-size photo meeting specific format requirements
Yellow Fever vaccination certificate (International Certificate of Vaccination)
Return or onward flight ticket proving you will leave the 3-country zone
Travel itinerary with accommodation bookings and planned route
Online payment of $100 USD via credit or debit card

Without any one of these, your application will either be rejected at submission or denied during processing.

Passport Requirements

Your passport is the single most important document. The EATV has strict passport rules that apply to all nationalities.

Requirement	Detail
Minimum validity	6 months beyond your date of entry
Blank pages	At least 2 unused visa pages
Passport type	Machine-readable passport preferred
Condition	No damage, water stains, or torn pages

If your passport expires within 6 months of your planned entry date, renew it before applying. Immigration officers at the border will turn you away even if your visa was already approved.

Damaged passports – including those with loose binding, missing corners, or illegible text – may be rejected at the port of entry. If in doubt, apply for a new passport first.

Photo Requirements

The passport photo you upload during your online application must meet these specifications:

Size: 2 inches x 2 inches (51mm x 51mm)
Background: Plain white, no shadows
Recency: Taken within the last 6 months
Expression: Neutral, mouth closed, eyes open
Headwear: None, unless for religious reasons (face must be fully visible)
Glasses: Not recommended; if worn, no glare on lenses
Resolution: Minimum 600 x 600 pixels, JPEG format

Poor-quality photos are one of the top reasons for application delays. Use a professional photo service or follow the photo guidelines exactly.

For the full specification details, see our East Africa Visa Photo Requirements guide.

Yellow Fever Vaccination

The yellow fever certificate is a non-negotiable requirement for every traveler entering Kenya, Uganda, or Rwanda – regardless of your nationality or where you are traveling from.

Key rules:

You must be vaccinated at least 10 days before entry into any of the three countries
The certificate must be the original document, not a photocopy or digital scan
All travelers aged 1 year and older must present a valid certificate
The certificate is valid for life (as of the 2016 WHO amendment)

Immigration officers check yellow fever cards at every border crossing and airport. If you cannot produce a valid certificate, you may be vaccinated on the spot (if available) or denied entry.

For vaccination centers, timing, and country-specific details, read our Yellow Fever Vaccination for East Africa guide.

Financial Requirements

The EATV does not require bank statements or proof of funds during the application process. However, you must be able to pay the $100 USD visa fee online with a valid credit or debit card.

Accepted payment methods:

Visa
Mastercard
American Express

Cash payments are not accepted for online applications. If you apply on arrival (where available), cash in USD may be accepted, but availability varies by border post.

Requirements by Nationality

While the core EATV requirements are the same for all applicants, some nationalities face additional scrutiny or documentation. Here is a quick reference:

Nationality	Core Requirements	Additional Notes
US citizens	Standard EATV docs	No special requirements. Passport must be valid 6+ months
UK citizens	Standard EATV docs	Same process as US. No embassy visit required
EU/Schengen citizens	Standard EATV docs	All EU passport holders eligible
Indian citizens	Standard EATV docs	May need additional processing time
Nigerian citizens	Standard EATV docs	Yellow fever card strictly checked
Chinese citizens	Standard EATV docs	Apply through the first entry country portal
South African citizens	Standard EATV docs	SADC members may have bilateral agreements

For nationality-specific application guides, visit:

Requirements for Minors

Children traveling to East Africa need the same visa as adults. In addition, parents or guardians must prepare:

Child’s birth certificate (original or certified copy)
Consent letter from the non-traveling parent (if only one parent is present)
Copies of both parents’ passports
Court order if one parent has sole custody

Some airlines and border posts may request these documents even for infants. Prepare them in advance to avoid problems at check-in or immigration.

What You Do NOT Need

Many applicants over-prepare. Here is what is not required for the EATV:

No embassy or consulate visit – the entire process is online
No invitation letter from a host or hotel
No hotel booking confirmation – recommended for your itinerary, but not mandatory for the visa
No bank statements or proof of employment
No return ticket is strictly required at application (though immigration may ask at the border)
No biometrics – no fingerprinting or in-person interview

The EATV is designed to be a straightforward online process. As long as your documents are in order, approval typically takes 3 to 5 business days.

How to Apply

Once you have all your documents ready, choose the portal for the country you will enter first:

Kenya – eTA Kenya portal (Electronic Travel Authorization)
Uganda – Uganda eVisa portal
Rwanda – Irembo portal

Important: You must apply through the country where you will first arrive. If you fly into Nairobi, use the Kenya portal. If you enter via Kigali, use Irembo. This rule cannot be bypassed.

For a detailed step-by-step walkthrough, see our East Africa Visa Application Guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you need a visa to go to East Africa?

Yes. Unless you are a citizen of a visa-exempt country (which covers very few nationalities), you need either a national visa for each country or the East Africa Tourist Visa (EATV) to visit Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. The EATV is the most convenient option if you plan to visit multiple countries in the region.

Can a US citizen get a Kenya visa on arrival?

US citizens can no longer get a traditional visa on arrival in Kenya. Kenya replaced its visa system with the Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), which must be obtained online before travel. However, the EATV can still be obtained on arrival at some border posts for Uganda and Rwanda.

How much is an East Africa visa?

The East Africa Tourist Visa costs $100 USD. This is a flat fee for all nationalities. The visa covers Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda for up to 90 days with multiple entries allowed within the three countries.

How long does it take to get a tourist visa for East Africa?

Processing typically takes 3 to 5 business days after submission. However, during peak travel seasons (June to September and December to January), processing may take up to 10 business days. Apply at least 2 weeks before your departure date.

Which countries does the East Africa visa cover?

The EATV covers three countries: Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda. It does NOT cover Tanzania, Burundi, South Sudan, or any other East African country. If you plan to visit Tanzania, you need a separate Tanzanian visa.

Can I extend the East Africa visa beyond 90 days?

No. The 90-day EATV cannot be extended. Once it expires, you must leave the three-country zone and reapply if you wish to return. Overstaying your visa can result in fines, detention, or future visa bans.

Next steps: Download our printable checklist and make sure every document is ready before you start your application.