Is it okay if I enter the country later than the date stated on my eVisa?

Just in case you need to modify your travel plans to Uganda, you may want to know whether you can enter Uganda after the entry date on your eVisa authorization document. This depends on the validity period of your visa and not the time you had intended to enter. Here is a breakdown of how to go about this to prevent entry problems.

Understanding the entry date vs validity period

Your Uganda eVisa typically lists:

• Date of issue - when your visa was approved.
• Validity period - the time frame during which you can enter Uganda.
• Duration of stay - how long you may remain in Uganda after entry.

Note: This is not always the same as the visa’s validity period; for example, a single-entry tourist visa may allow only 30 days of stay even though the visa itself is valid for 90 days. Always check the specific conditions stated on your approval letter.

The travel date you provided in your application is for reference only and does not bind you to enter on that specific day. What matters is that you enter Uganda before your visa expires. What truly matters is that you arrive within the validity period printed on your visa.

What happens if you arrive later?

Provided your date of arrival has not yet expired, you ought to be admitted without any problems. The immigration officers can question your change of travel date but as long as your eVisa has not yet expired it is still within your rights to enter.

But, in case your arrival date exceeds the expiration date of the visa, you will not be permitted entry. Then you will need to obtain a new eVisa prior to traveling.

How the validity period works

• A single-entry eVisa is valid for 90 days from the date of issue, and you must enter Uganda within this period. Your allowed length of stay will be specified in the approval letter (commonly up to 30 days).
• East Africa Tourist Visa: Also typically valid for 90 days, but allows multiple entries between Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda during that time.
• Multiple-entry visas are generally issued for 6 or 12 months (longer periods are rare) and are usually reserved for travelers with specific needs. Each entry must occur within the overall validity period printed on the visa. These visas are less common than the standard single-entry eVisa and are usually issued for special travel needs, so confirm the details with the Ugandan immigration authority before applying.

Always check the expiry date printed on your visa approval letter.

Note: Transit visas are not valid for 90 days - they are typically much shorter (often 1–7 days) and should not be confused with single-entry tourist visas. You must enter Uganda before the end of this period.

Risks of entering too late

Even when your eVisa is not expired:

• There is a possibility that your planned activities (tours or booking of hotel) have to be re-confirmed.
• By the time you board the plane, other airlines might want to see the evidence of a valid visa.
• There is a possibility of additional checks being carried out on you in the event that your passport or other personal details have changed since your approval.

Tips if you need to delay your trip

• Reschedule flights after checking the expiry date of your visa.
• Write to Ugandan immigration helpdesk when you have a delay that is major particularly when it is near expiry.
• When your current visa is going to expire prior to your new arrival date, apply again with a new eVisa.
• Have all your travel documents, booking confirmations and your eVisa approval letter ready to be inspected at the border.

Conclusion

You may enter Uganda at any time before the expiry date of your visa. There is no requirement to enter on the exact date you mentioned in your application. Should your eVisa not be valid at the time of travel, you shall be expected to apply once more. Always check expiry date and make sure your travel documents are valid so you do not encounter any problems at the point of entry.

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