Uganda Certificate Of Residence

The Uganda Certificate of Residence (COR) is an official document issued by the Ugandan government to non-citizens who have been legally residing in Uganda for at least 5 to 10 Years. The certificate is issued by the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control, which is responsible for regulating the entry, residence, and exit of non-citizens in Uganda.

The COR is an important document for non-citizens living and working in Uganda, as it serves as proof of residence and provides access to certain services, such as obtaining a work permit, opening a bank account, and registering a business. The certificate is also required for certain legal processes, such as applying for a driving permit or registering a vehicle.

To obtain a COR, non-citizens must meet certain eligibility requirements, such as having a valid passport and visa, and provide proof of their residence in Uganda, such as a tenancy agreement, utility bills, or bank statements. They must also pay a fee and complete an application form, which can be obtained from the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control or downloaded from their website.

Once the application is submitted, the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control will conduct an investigation to verify the information provided by the applicant. This may include a visit to the applicant's residence to confirm their physical presence and interview with neighbors or employers to confirm the nature and duration of their stay in Uganda.

If the application is approved, the COR will be issued to the applicant, indicating their name, nationality, date of birth, passport number, place of residence, and the date of issuance. The certificate is valid for one year and can be renewed if the applicant continues to meet the eligibility requirements.

While the COR is a necessary document for non-citizens residing in Uganda, obtaining it can be a time-consuming and complicated process. Many applicants have reported long waiting times and inconsistencies in the application process, which can be frustrating and inconvenient for those trying to establish their legal residency in Uganda.

Furthermore, there have been reports of corruption and bribery in the process of obtaining a COR. Some applicants have claimed that officials have requested additional payments or documents in exchange for expediting their application or ensuring its approval. This has raised concerns about the transparency and fairness of the application process and the need for greater oversight and accountability of the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control.

In conclusion, the Uganda Certificate of Residence is an important document for non-citizens legally residing in Uganda. It provides proof of residence, access to certain services, and is required for certain legal processes. However, the application process can be complicated and time-consuming, and there have been concerns about corruption and bribery. It is essential that the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control takes steps to ensure transparency and fairness in the application process and streamline the process for applicants to obtain the COR in a timely and efficient manner.

Types of Uganda Certificates of Residence

There are several types of Uganda Certificates of Residence that serve as proof of legal residence for foreign nationals living or working in Uganda. The three most common types of certificates are:-

Three Categories-

  • Due To Marriage
  • Due To Long Stay
  • Former Ugandan

Due To Marriage

The Uganda Certificate of Residence due to Marriage is a legal document issued to a foreigner who is married to a Ugandan citizen and has been living in the country for at least three years. The certificate serves as proof of residence and is a requirement for certain activities such as opening a bank account, registering a business, or obtaining a work permit. To obtain the certificate, the applicant must provide a copy of their marriage certificate, proof of legal residency in Uganda, and other relevant documents. The certificate is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed.

Due To Long Stay

The Uganda Certificate of Residence due to Long Stay is a legal document issued to a foreigner who has been continuously living in the country for at least ten years and has made significant contributions to the socio-economic development of Uganda. The certificate serves as proof of residence and is required for certain activities such as opening a bank account, registering a business, or obtaining a work permit. To obtain the certificate, the applicant must provide proof of legal residency in Uganda, evidence of their contributions to the country's development, and other relevant documents. The certificate is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed.

Former Ugandan

The Uganda Certificate of Residence for Former Ugandans is a legal document issued to a person who previously held Ugandan citizenship but has acquired another citizenship and wants to live or work in Uganda. The certificate serves as proof of residency and is required for certain activities such as opening a bank account, registering a business, or obtaining a work permit. To obtain the certificate, the applicant must provide proof of their previous Ugandan citizenship, evidence of their current citizenship, and other relevant documents. The certificate is issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is valid for one year, after which it must be renewed.

Eligibility criteria for the Uganda Certificate of Residence

The eligibility criteria for the Uganda Certificate of Residence vary depending on the type of certificate being applied for. However, some common requirements that applicants must meet include:

  • Age: Applicants must be at least 18 years old to be eligible for a Uganda Certificate of Residence.
  • Legal residency: Applicants must be living in Uganda legally and have valid immigration status, such as a work permit or visa.
  • Length of residency: Depending on the type of certificate being applied for, applicants must have been living in Uganda for a specific amount of time, ranging from three to ten years.
  • Contribution to Uganda's development: Some types of certificates require applicants to show evidence of their contributions to the socio-economic development of Uganda.
  • Marital status: For the Certificate of Residence Due to Marriage, applicants must be legally married to a Ugandan citizen.
  • Previous Ugandan citizenship: For the Certificate of Residence for Former Ugandans, applicants must have previously held Ugandan citizenship and currently hold another citizenship.
  • Good conduct: Applicants must have a clean criminal record and not be considered a threat to national security.

These are some of the general eligibility criteria, and specific requirements may vary based on the type of certificate and other factors.

Required documents for the Uganda Certificate of Residence

Due To Marriage:

  • Marriage certificate: A certified copy of the marriage certificate obtained from the Uganda Registry Services Bureau (URSB).
  • Consent from Ugandan spouse: A letter of consent from the Ugandan spouse, giving permission for the applicant to stay in Uganda for a long period of time.
  • Local council 1 recommendation: A letter of recommendation from the Local Council 1 in the area of residence, endorsing the couple's marriage and their application for a long-term stay visa.
  • Medical report: A medical report from a recognized health facility, certifying that the applicant is in good health and free from any contagious diseases.
  • Valid police report: A valid police report from Interpol or the applicant's home country, indicating that the applicant has no criminal record.
  • Copy of Ugandan spouse's passport or national ID: A copy of the Ugandan spouse's passport or national ID, proving that they are indeed a citizen of Uganda.
  • Passport copy: A copy of the applicant's passport, showing the bio-data page with at least 6 months validity.
  • Recent passport-size photograph: A recent passport-size photograph of the applicant.
  • Proof of current immigration status: Proof of the applicant's current immigration status, such as a pass, permit, or residence document.
  • Work permit, dependant pass, or student pass: For couples resident in Uganda, the applicant will need to provide a work permit, dependant pass, or student pass, depending on their situation.
  • Cover letter: A cover letter from the applicant, explaining the reasons for their long-term stay visa application and their commitment to Uganda.
  • Birth certificate: If the couple has children, the applicant will need to provide the children's birth certificates.
  • Appearance before the board: The couple must appear before the board when requested, to answer any questions or provide additional information.

Due To Long Stay

  • Valid Police clearance: A valid police clearance certificate from Interpol or the applicant's home country, indicating that the applicant has no criminal record.
  • Medical report from a recognized health facility: A medical report from a recognized health facility, certifying that the applicant is in good health and free from any contagious diseases.
  • Recommendation from local council 1 from area of residence: A letter of recommendation from the Local Council 1 in the area of residence, endorsing the applicant's long-term stay visa application.
  • Evidence of continuous legal stay for a minimum of 10 years (permits, passes, CR): vidence of the applicant's continuous legal stay in Uganda for a minimum of 10 years, such as permits, passes, or a Certificate of Residence (CR).
  • Letter of Compliance from Uganda Revenue Authority (URA): A letter of compliance from the Uganda Revenue Authority (URA), indicating that the applicant is up-to-date with their tax obligations.
  • Valid Income tax clearance: A valid income tax clearance certificate from the Uganda Revenue Authority, proving that the applicant has paid their taxes.
  • List of employees and their National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions: If the applicant is an employer, they will need to provide a list of their employees and their National Social Security Fund (NSSF) contributions.
  • Pay As You Earn (PAYE) contributions by the applicant where he’s an employee: If the applicant is an employee, they will need to provide proof of their Pay As You Earn (PAYE) contributions.
  • Socio-contribution to the development of Uganda e.g. charitable donations, community outreach, care for orphans etc: Evidence of the applicant's socio-contribution to the development of Uganda, such as charitable donations, community outreach, care for orphans, and other philanthropic activities.

Former Ugandan

  • Recommendations from 2 referees in Uganda: The applicant must provide recommendations from two referees who are Ugandan citizens and have known the applicant for at least 5 years.
  • Proof of being a Ugandan formerly (birth certificates, old passports, parent’s IDs etc): The applicant must provide proof that they were previously a Ugandan citizen. This may include their birth certificate, old passports, or their parents' ID cards.
  • Birth certificate: The applicant must provide a certified copy of their birth certificate.

Application process for the Uganda Certificate of Residence

  • Begin by logging into the Immigration Portal and selecting "Start New Application."
  • Next, carefully read and accept the terms and conditions displayed in the Disclaimer.
  • Choose the appropriate Certificate of Residence type, category, and sub-category.
  • Fill out the application form in its entirety.
  • Upload all required documents. An application ID consisting of six digits (e.g., 234790123) will be automatically generated as your reference number.
  • If prepayment is required for your application, make the payment.
  • If your application does not require a top-up payment, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to you via the home page.
  • If a top-up payment is required for your application, make the payment. After payment is received, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to you.
  • Finally, report to the immigration office or border for biometric capture with all uploaded documents, payment receipts, approval letter, and passport in hand.

Validity and renewal of the Uganda Certificate of Residence

The Uganda Certificate of Residence is typically issued for a period of two years, and after that period, it must be renewed. The process for renewal is similar to the initial application process, and it requires submitting a new application and all necessary supporting documents.

To renew your Certificate of Residence in Uganda, you will need to follow these steps:

Log in to the Immigration Portal and select "Renew Certificate of Residence."

Provide your current Certificate of Residence number and fill out the renewal application form.

Upload all required documents, including proof of payment of the renewal fee.

After submitting the application, wait for processing and approval by the immigration authorities.

Once approved, you will receive a new Certificate of Residence with a validity period of two years.

It's important to note that the renewal process should be initiated at least two months before the expiration of the current Certificate of Residence to avoid any potential lapses in legal status. Failure to renew your Certificate of Residence may result in penalties, fines, or even deportation.

Processing tIme & Fee of Uganda Certificate of Residence

The processing time and fee for a Uganda Certificate of Residence vary depending on the reason for the application.

For an application due to marriage, the fee is USD 2000. The processing time for this type of application is typically 30 days, although this can vary based on the workload of the immigration authorities.

For an application due to long-term stay, the fees are as follows:

  • USD 4,000 for a 5-year Certificate of Residence
  • USD 3,500 for a 10-year Certificate of Residence
  • USD 3,000 for a lifetime Certificate of Residence, which includes a USD 200 processing fee

The processing time for these types of applications can take up to 20 days, depending on the complexity of the case.

For former Ugandans, the fee for a Certificate of Residence is USD 200, and the processing time is typically 14 days.

It's important to note that these fees and processing times are subject to change and should be confirmed with the Ugandan immigration authorities before beginning the application process.

Frequently asked questions:

A Uganda Certificate of Residence is a legal document that confirms a foreigner's right to stay in Uganda for a specified period, usually two years.

Any foreigner who intends to stay in Uganda for more than three months needs to apply for a Certificate of Residence.

The requirements vary based on the reason for the application, but typically include a completed application form, a valid passport, proof of financial support, and other supporting documents.

The processing time depends on the reason for the application and can take anywhere from 14 days to 90 days.

The cost varies depending on the reason for the application, with fees ranging from USD 200 for former Ugandans to USD 2,000 for applications due to marriage.

Yes, a Certificate of Residence can be renewed for an additional two-year period. The renewal process requires submitting a new application and all necessary supporting documents.

If your Certificate of Residence expires, you will be considered to be in the country illegally, and you may be subject to penalties, fines, or deportation.

No, a Certificate of Residence does not allow for employment in Uganda. A separate work permit is required to work in the country.

The application process involves submitting an online application through the Uganda Immigration Portal and providing all necessary supporting documents.