East African Tourist Visa

Individuals are taking travel as a serious note to explore the culture and landscape of various countries. International travel has become easier and more accessible with electronic travel authorization (eTA) initiatives. The East African Tourist eTA is an online travel permit initiative launched by the Kenya government. The travel permit allows international travellers to visit Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda and travellers should acquire the East African Tourist eTA before their departure.

Note: Please note that the East African Tourist eTA has been discontinued and is not currently issued. Travellers must opt for an alternative visa or entry permit arrangement to enter the country. For visiting Kenya travellers can apply for Kenya eTA online, which offers a swift and hassle-free process that grants approval within three days.

What is an East African Tourist eTA?

The key advantage of East African Tourist eTA is that travellers can visit and stay in three countries (Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya)with a single travel permit. This initiative also helps in promoting tourism in the East African regions. Traveller’s planning to explore Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya can get their East African Tourist eTA online. Instead of getting a separate travel permit for each country, the East African Tourist eTA seems to be a cost-effective option for international travellers.

East African Tourist eTA Requirements

Even though applying for East African Tourist eTA is hassle-free, travellers must fulfill its requirements.

• The East African Tourist eTA only permits tourism and related activities.
• Travellers should not engage in non-tourism activities like seeking employment.
• From the issuance date, the East African Tourist eTA is valid for three months (90 days).
• The East African Tourist eTA expires once the travellers exit all the listed countries.
• Travellers must have all the documents required to apply for East African Tourist eTA.
• Travellers cannot use the East African Tourist eTA to travel to other countries other than Uganda, Rwanda and Kenya.

Please note that travellers must comply with the entry requirements. The East African Tourist eTA is a multiple-entry eTA and travellers can visit the countries multiple times within its validity period.

Eligibility Criteria

Foreign travellers planning a trip to visit all three countries can apply for East African Tourist eTA. However, the purpose of the trip can only be tourism. All international travellers can apply for the East African Tourist eTA. The eTA application is available online and applicants can access the online portal to complete the East African Tourist eTA application form.

East African Tourist eTA Documents Requirement

The documents required to submit an East African Tourist eTA application form include the following list.

• Valid passport
• Recent colour photo
• Passport copy (info or bio-data page)
• Travel itinerary
• Return ticket
• Accommodation proof

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is made mandatory only for visitors who are from yellow fever risk countries. Please note that all the travel documents must be in English. Additional documents (like financial proof, etc.) might be required before or during the application processing time and applicants must provide them to get an East African Tourist eTA.

Application Process of East African Tourist eTA

Only travellers who meet the eligibility criteria can apply for East African Tourist eTA. Before starting to fill out the eTA form, gather the required documents. Follow the below steps to complete the East African Tourist eTA.

• Access the eTA application portal and read the website’s terms to avoid scams.
• Click on the East African Tourist eTA and read through the online form.
• Complete each section in the online form with accurate details (the form includes passport, personal and travel-related details).
• Upload the digital copies of the document (ensure they are in the right format and size).
• Thoroughly review the details and uploaded documents (ensure the eTA form is error-free and all the details match with the supporting travel documents).
• Know the fee and complete the East African Tourist eTA application fee payment via any of the payment modes.
• Submit the eTA form and check the email for a confirmation message with the application reference number.

The application process time might vary, but it only takes a few days. Meanwhile, the applicants can keep track of their East African Tourist eTA application by checking its status online using the reference number. If the eTA application is approved, travellers will receive an email with their East African Tourist eTA. Travellers are advised to have a physical copy of their approved East African Tourist eTA.

Stay Duration and Validity

The East African Tourist eTA is a short-term tourist visa with a validity of three months (90 days). Travellers can take multiple trips with a 90-day stay duration to all three countries within the validity period. Please note that East African Tourist eTA is a non-renewable travel permit, so travellers must plan the return within 90 days.

An important entry requirement to note is that the eTA issuing country must be the travellers first entry point when travelling with East African Tourist eTA. The eTA is solely for tourism and travellers cannot engage in other activities, such as business activities or employment.

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To obtain a Kenya eTA, applicants must complete an online eTA form accompanied by the necessary documents. The single-entry eTA permits a stay of up to 90 days. Learn more at Kenya Single Entry eTA.