United States of America visa requirements for Ugandans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Ugandans visiting United States of America

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a American Visa.

  • AN Ugandan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (2 x 2” dimension) taken in white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical Insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

United States Of America Visa for Ugandans

Facts about United States Of America

The United States of America is one of the main tourist destinations in the world. You cannot truly see all the country has to offer in one trip. If you have exhausted the things to see in a particular location, the next location brings up a fresh array of things to see. The country has beautiful scenery, entertainment options, magnificent architecture, great tourist sites and so much more. No matter what you are interested in doing, you are sure to get it in the United States of America. National Parks, casinos, beaches, historical sites, movie theatres, trade fairs, shopping malls, restaurants, nightlife are just some of the things you can do in the country. Make sure you enjoy the rollercoaster of fun during your time here.
 
Tourism in the USA is a large industry that contributes greatly to the American economy. The United States of America is the country that attracts the third-largest number of tourists behind France and Spain and this may be attributed to the fact that tourists stay longer in the United States more than they do in France and Spain. The country plays host to about 78 million tourists yearly. Since Donald Trump got elected, the number of tourist visits in the United States has dropped by 4% and has led to the loss of about 40,000 jobs.
 
Citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, Caymans, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, South Korea, New Zealand, etc can gain entry to the United States of America visa-free for a certain period of time.

Types of United States Of America Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 5-15 days 180 days
Student visa 5-15 days variable
Work visa 15-90 days 3 years

General Requirements for United States Of America Visa

  • AN Ugandan passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (2 x 2” dimension) taken in white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • A police report showing the traveler does not have a criminal record.
  • Medical Insurance.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
United States Of America Tourist visa United States Of America Student visa United States Of America Work visa

United States Of America B-1 (Business Visa) Eligibility & Requirements

  • The U.S business visa (also known as a B-1 visa) is for Ugandans looking to travel to the U.S for business purposes.
  • You are eligible for the B-1 visa if you will be participating in business activities of a commercial or professional nature in the United States. These business activities include:
    • Meeting with business associates.
    • Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates.
    • Negotiating a contract.
    • Participating in short-term training or internship.
  • The B-1 business visa is valid for six months but can be extended to a year. 
  • The B-1 visa will be denied to the applicant, if there is no evidence that they are returning to Uganda after their stay expires.
  • Applicants are not allowed to take their spouses or children while traveling to the USA on a B-1 visa.
  • Certain people are allowed to transit through the United States using a B-1 visa.
  • You are required to have a letter of invitation from the company you are visiting in the US detailing the purpose and duration of your trip. Your job position should also be indicated in the letter.
  • A letter from your employer stating that your business leave has been approved. Payslips from the last three months should be attached to this letter.
  • Interviews are only done for applicants between 14 and 79 years of age.
  • To be eligible for the business B-1 visa, you must demonstrate the following:
    • The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States for the business of a legitimate nature.
    • Your plan to remain for a specific limited period of time.
    • Funds to cover the expenses of the trip and your stay in the United States.
    • You have a residence outside the United States in which you have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties which will ensure your return abroad at the end of the visit.

United States Of America B-2 (Tourist Visa) Eligibility & Requirements

  • Ugandans intending to travel for tourism purposes can apply for the United States tourist visa is also known as the B-2 tourist visa.
  • The B-2 tourist also allows for the following:
    • Visiting for holiday.
    • Visitation of friends or family.
    • Touring various cities in the US.
    • Participating in social events hosted by various organizations.
    • Visiting the US for medical treatment.
    • Participating in events or contests related to music or sports, for which you will not receive payment.
    • Enrolling in short study courses for which you will not receive credit. For example, cooking classes.
  • If you are not applying for the reasons above, you are not eligible for a B-2 tourist visa.
  • All applicants between 14 and 79 years old must go through the US tourist interview at the US Embassy they are applying in.
  • Proof of financial means must be provided. Applicants must provide financial or bank statements to prove they have the finances to stay in the US of at least $266 for each day of their planned stay.
  • Travelers must provide ties to their home country. Family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return.
  • Travelers are also required to provide their social media details.
  • Criminal records or a letter from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions must also be provided.
  • Documents relevant to your prior visits must also be provided. This only applies if you visited the US before.

United States Of America Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is for Ugandans looking to study in the United States.
  • There are four types of a student visa, they include:
    • F-1 visa: For students applying for a program that requires more than 18 hours of study in a week. This includes all undergraduate and graduate programs.
    •  J-1 visa: For students, visiting scholars or lecturers pursuing an exchange program in the US. For example, Fulbright scholars and many students on short-term study abroad programs from Indian universities will travel to the U.S. on a J-1 visa.
    • M-1 visa: The M-1 visa is a type of student visa reserved for vocational and technical schools. While the process remains similar to an F-1 visa, the difference is that on entering the US, the M-1 visas are time-stamped and students cannot overstay their visit.
    • Q-1 visa: The Q-1 visa is for participants in an international cultural exchange program.
  • The school you intend to attend and the course of study will determine what category of student visa you will be applying for.
  • The J-1 visa is meant for studying when various organizations sponsor you.
  • M-1 visa is for those attending a vocational or technical course or other non-academic institutions.
  • If you want to attend a college, university, elementary school, high school, seminary or language training course, the appropriate visa type is the F-1 visa.
  • You should have applied to study in the institution of choice and must have been accepted before you can apply for any of the categories of the student visa.
  • The admission letter from the institution you have been admitted to is mandatory.
  • It is also necessary to provide proof of accommodation.
  • Those with an M-1 visa may not work until they have completed their studies.
  • F-1 allows you to do on-campus work with restrictions.
  • Minors should ensure their parents sign the application form before submitting it.

United States Of America Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The work visa allows Ugandans to take up paid employment temporarily in the United States.
  • The period of working time should be noted in the employment contract.
  • There are various types of work visa which include; H, I, L, O and P visa.
    • The H-1 visa (temporary workers visa) is the most important division of the H visas. The other categories of the H visa are H-2 (for seasonal workers), H-3 (for trainings) and H-4 (for spouse and children of H-1, H-2 and H-3 visa holders) visas.
    • The L-1 visa (Intracompany Transfers Visa) is of two types, the L-1A (Managers and Executives) and L-1B (Specialized Knowledge) visas.
    • The I visa (media and journalist visa) allows journalist and those who work in the information or media to enter into the United States for the purpose of doing jobs related to media.
    • The O visa (person with extraordinary ability) is for foreigners who have extraordinary abilities and high educational degrees.
    • The O-1 visa is of two types; O-1A (for extraordinary abilities in education, business, science and athletics) and O-1B (for extraordinary abilities in film or television industry or in arts).
    • The P visa (visa for athletes) is meant for Ugandans in sports, performances, entertainment and culture who are visiting the United States for a performance.
    • There are four types of P visa which are P-1, P-2 visa, P-3 visa and P-4 visa.
  • Receipt number of Non-immigrant Worker (I-129 Form) form filed by your employer is required.
  • Proof of paid visa application fees must be provided.
  • Proof of incentive that you will return to your country after your work with the exception of H-1B and L visa.
  • If you are applying for a L visa, you will need to have a filled I-129S form which should be taken along with you for your visa interview.
  • Visa interviews are generally required for between the ages of 14 and 79 years but not for those younger or older than this range.
  • Spouse and children of various work visa categories can accompany work visa holders.

United States Of America Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

B-1 (Business visa)

B-2 (Tourist visa)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

F-1 (Student visa)

J-1 (Exchange Visitor Visa)

M-1 (Vocational and Non-Academic Education Visa)

Q-1 (Cultural Exchange Visa)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

190.00 (USD)

Work visa

H-1 (Temporary Workers Visa)

H-2A (Visa for Agricultural Workers)

H-3 (Special Education Visitors Visa)

L-1 (Intracompany Transfers Visa)

I (Media and Journalist Visa)

O-1 Visa (Person with Extraordinary Ability)

O-1 Visa (Person with Extraordinary Ability)

190.00 (USD)

190.00 (USD)

190.00 (USD)

190.00 (USD)

160.00 (USD)

190.00 (USD)

190.00 (USD)

United States Of America Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Uganda

Location

Address

Kampala

1577 Ggaba Road Kampala, Uganda.

https://ug.usembassy.gov

-

0312-306-001

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my US visa valid after a name change?

Yes. As long as your passport is still valid for at least six months beyond the date you plan on traveling, you may use your existing visa. However, you should carry proof of your legal name change.

How much money should I take to USA?

Travelers entering the United States may take as much money as they wish into the country. You may bring up to $10,000 in currency, coin and specific monetary instruments without reporting it to customs.

What are the reasons I won't be allowed entry into USA?

The most obvious reasons for entry denial are if a person has previously worked illegally in the U.S., is suspected of being an intended immigrant (i.e. planning on staying in the U.S. past the terms of their admission), or of having ties to terrorist or criminal organizations.

Are vaccinations recommended to enter USA?

Yes, some vaccines are recommended or required for entry into the United States. The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for entry into the United States: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia, and influenza.