Uganda Waives Visa Fees for CAN 2027 – 3-Month Entry Eased
Uganda announces a sweeping 3-month visa fee waiver for foreign travelers ahead of CAN 2027, simplifying entry for athletes, tourists, and journalists ahead of the AFCON tournament.
Uganda has announced a landmark travel policy for international visitors in the run-up to the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (CAN/AFCON), taking place from 19 June to 18 July 2027. Authorities have confirmed a three-month visa-free entry period for all foreign travelers—regardless of purpose. Whether you’re traveling for the tournament, sightseeing, or business, the fee exemption applies across the board.
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Key Dates and Applicable Rules
This temporary waiver is designed to ease congestion at border points and simplify arrival procedures for fans, tourists, and media professionals. In effect, visa application fees will be suspended during a four-month window around the tournament:
Start of exemption: Roughly one month before kickoff—around 19 May 2027.
End of exemption: Roughly one month after final whistle—around 18 August 2027.
Eligible nationalities: All passport-holders worldwide—including travelers who typically face lengthy or costly consular processes.
The waiver does not eliminate standard entry requirements. Travelers must still hold a passport valid for six months beyond departure and comply with health protocols; the yellow fever vaccination remains mandatory for Uganda.
The “PAMOJA” Visa: Streamlining Travel Across East Africa
The 2027 CAN is co-hosted by three neighboring nations: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.
To help fans move seamlessly between hosts without repeated paperwork, the Ugandan government is finalising a PAMOJA Visa—from the Swahili “pamoja” meaning “together.” The new document builds on the existing East Africa Tourist Visa and is designed explicitly for CAN 2027, lifting internal border hurdles for time-boxed itineraries such as safaris in Kenya, matches in Kampala, and beach stops in Tanzania.
Infrastructure Updates: What’s Being Built Ahead of Kick-Off
With visitor volumes projected between 500,000 and 650,000, Uganda is deep in a pre-event upgrade cycle, funneling funds toward modernised transport and hospitality networks ahead of January 2027.
Aviation & roads: Kabalega International Airport is under renovation to help relive pressure on Entebbe. Parallel expansions are underway on major highways linking tournament venues.
Stadiums: All home games will be played at the reinforced Mandela National Stadium in Namboole and the brand-new Hoima City Stadium.
Accommodation: A rapid-renovation drive targets hotels in Hoima and Masindi and surrounding regions to meet expected demand.
What Travelers Still Need to Do (Our Recommendations)
Free visa fees do not always equate to zero bureaucracy. As a specialized agency, we advise travelers to prepare early:
Anticipate an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA): Uganda is likely to launch a cost-free ETA system in line with Kenya’s recent model to streamline passenger tracking and security clearances.
Long-stay planning: Entry without a fee is limited to 90 days. Journeys starting before mid-May 2027 or stays exceeding three months will still require standard e-Visa applications and related processing charges.
Early bookings: With global demand spiking years in advance, secure flights and hotel reservations at least 8–10 months ahead of travel to guarantee availability.
