East Africa Visa Guide

East Africa Tourist Visa guide (EAV) for Philippine Passports and most others This is a joint tourist visa that entitles holders to travel to and within the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda for tourism. East Africa Tourist Visa is valid for 90 days, multiple entries. ELIGIBLE PERSON: • A […]

Erika Atienza

Safari Editor, While in Africa

3 mins read

East Africa Tourist Visa guide (EAV) for Philippine Passports and most others

This is a joint tourist visa that entitles holders to travel to and within the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and the Republic of Uganda for tourism. East Africa Tourist Visa is valid for 90 days, multiple entries.

ELIGIBLE PERSON:

• A foreigner who wants to visit simultaneously the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda for tourism- Philippine passport holders included.

• The holder of the East Africa Tourist Visa shall enter from the country that issued the visa and move within the two other countries without applying for another visa or paying another visa fee. Applications for this visa can be lodged at any of the diplomatic representation of the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda, at the Immigration Offices/ selected borders of the respective countries or online where applicable

• The holder shall also be allowed to move out of the Republic of Kenya, Republic of Rwanda and Republic of Uganda; and return without having to pay for another visa. This will only be applicable within 90 days.

– How to apply for EAV if entering first in the Republic of Kenya
As of September 2015, the Immigration of Kenya now requires a visa before entry into The Republic of Kenya including Philippine passport holders, which can be applied online at www.ecitizen.go.ke. As of writing, online visa application for EAV is still underway so for now, you can only get EAV in the airport or major land borders of Kenya.

Requirements to be presented upon arrival

Valid travel document not less than six months
Return ticket
Colored passport photo in white background
Hotel bookings/Contact details of the host
Yellow fever vaccination certificate*
Visa fee of 100 USD
*This one’s only recommended but I strongly suggest that you get it anyway because some immigration officers tend to ask for it

– How to apply for EAV if entering first in the Republic of Uganda
You can apply for a visa online, at the airport or major land borders for 100 USD. In my case, I applied at the border as I was coming from Uganda. They only asked for my passport. That’s it. No other questions. Still, I would suggest preparing the following documents just in case:

Return ticket
Hotel booking/ Address and other contact details of the host

– How to apply for EAV if entering first in the Republic of Rwanda
1) Rwanda allows for an online visa application. To do this, visit their website
2) Select East African Tourist Visa from the Type of Visa dropdown list
3) Fill out the rest of the requested information accordingly. Note that the following details will also be requested:

Address in Rwanda (host/ hotel)
Proposed entry point
Invitation letter from the host/ Hotel Booking

4) In 3- 5 days, you will receive an email from the Immigration of Rwanda with your East Africa Tourist Visa acceptance letter.
5) Print out the letter and present to the Immigration officer upon your arrival at your stated entry point in Rwanda and pay the visa fee of 100 USD
6) Make sure that you have at least one blank page available in your passport

Written by

Erika Atienza

Erika is from the Philippines, traveling through Africa with her husband Martin from Denmark. She first came to Africa as a marketing volunteer and never really left. As she frequents the continent for work, she started this blog to help and encourage others to visit. As she puts it: "It's more fun in the wild."

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