The East African Visa is a unique, multi-entry travel document jointly introduced by Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda. It allows visitors to travel freely between these three nations using a single visa, eliminating the need for multiple applications. Legally anchored in regional cooperation agreements under the East African Community (EAC) framework, the visa simplifies regional movement and promotes tourism, business and integration among partner states.
The legal purpose of this visa is twofold: first, to facilitate ease of travel across member states by offering a uniform travel document and second, to boost collective economic and tourism sectors through increased visitor mobility.
According to the Protocol on the Establishment of the East African Community Common Market, facilitating movement of persons is a legal obligation among partner states. This visa aligns with that mandate by easing travel and reducing administrative burdens for travelers.
Legally speaking, the visa is not a residency permit and must not be misconstrued as one. It solely enables temporary travel across the three participating nations, each of which still retains the sovereign right to enforce its immigration laws upon visa holders.