Are you planning to visit East Africa soon for a safari holiday? Did you know that with the East African tourist visa you can visit at least 2 East African Community states using just a single tourist visa? If traveling to East Africa has been your challenging factor then it is high time you called it off. Getting the East African Tourist Visa lets you explore at least 2 East African member states using a single tourist visa without necessarily applying for another.

We understand how costly and challenging obtaining a tourist visa can be as a tourist on plan to visit Rwanda, Uganda or Kenya in a single tour. Amazingly, with introduction of the East African Tourist Visa, it is now possible for you to explore Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

Obtaining the East African Tourist Visa offers you opportunity to pay a visit the East African states which came into understanding to join the system freely and simultaneously for about 3 months. However, you will start your trip from the destination where you were issued the visa from and unlike other visas; there is no need to incur a return visa cost to the mentioned 3 East African member states.

The East African Tourist Visa is obtainable at US Dollars 100 payable using MasterCard, visa or any other credit card and it should be noted that, this type of visa can’t be extended and fees paid are not refundable. Please, be aware of the fishy websites and persons claiming to be in position to assist you secure the East African Tourist Visa!

Prior launching the single entry visa, visitors had to pay for a visa for every time they accessed anyone of these 3 East African states at US Dollars 50. However, this option is still available in case you plan to explore only 1 country or in case you obtain a visa on a short notice. The usual tourist visas can easily be obtained from any of the border crossings or airports without necessarily applying early.

When was East African Tourist Visa launched?

The East African Tourist Visa was launched in 2014 and this was after the 3 respective heads of states came into a mutual understanding to sell East African states as a single tourist destination. To achieve the set goal, they came up with the East African Tourist Visa to boast their diplomatic relationships. Unlike Tanzania, Burundi and South Sudan which are also member states of East African Community, they are not yet beneficiaries of this visa but there is hope that one day they will also part of the single visa system.

How do you apply for the East African Tourist Visa?

There are many steps to follow when applying for the East African Tourist Visa like it is a case with other visas. Firstly, tourists have to submit application which can be done manually or online from your respective diplomatic or immigration office back in your home country or visit the website where possible.

However, you may also apply for a visa at the airport depending on the country you plan to visit although it is important that you secure your visa early enough. The process of applying for the East African Tourist Visa is simpler and quick in Rwanda the fact that tourists can do so directly online. In case you begin your trip from Uganda or Kenya, still you can apply for your visa online or directly through the embassy back in your home country.

Who is eligible to apply for East African Tourist Visa?

The East African Tourist Visa can be obtained by tourists regardless of your country of origin. However, nationals from the 3 East African states; Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya don’t need to carry this visa since you can only use your national identity card or passport.

To obtain this visa, you should have clear passport size photo with white background but without glasses, scurf or caps; completely filled East African Tourist Visa (EATV) application form, visa application letter addressed to the issuing authority in your home country, your flight booking or itinerary, proof of financial sustainability depending on your travel period, passport valid for about 6 months or more from the time of visa application.

Please note, the East African Tourist Visa doesn’t allow you work in any of the countries you visit. However, it lets you move out of Kenya to Rwanda or Uganda and return without necessarily applying for another visa. This type of visa is valid for 3 months/90 days.