The Uganda Special Pass is a temporary pass that allows individuals to legally engage in specific activities within the country for a limited period of time. It is a legal document that grants foreigners the permission to work on short-term contracts, obtain medical treatment, engage in tourism, and explore business opportunities.

The Special Pass is issued by the Ugandan immigration authorities and is valid for a period of 3 months. However, it is important to note that this pass cannot be renewed or extended, and individuals who wish to stay in Uganda for longer periods must obtain a different type of visa.

One of the primary purposes of the Special Pass is to enable foreign workers to engage in short-term employment in Uganda. This is particularly useful for individuals who are employed on short-term contracts or those who come to Uganda to work on specific projects. The pass allows them to work legally in the country and ensures that they are protected under Ugandan labor laws.

In addition to employment, the Special Pass is also useful for individuals who need to seek medical treatment in Uganda. The country has a number of excellent medical facilities that provide a wide range of treatments and services. With the Special Pass, foreign patients can access these services without worrying about their legal status in the country.

Tourism is another area where the Special Pass can be useful. Uganda is a popular tourist destination that offers a wide range of attractions, including wildlife reserves, national parks, and cultural sites. The Special Pass allows tourists to explore these attractions without worrying about the legal restrictions that may apply to their stay in the country.

Finally, the Special Pass can be useful for individuals who wish to explore business opportunities in Uganda. The country has a growing economy that offers a range of opportunities in various sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, and service.

To obtain a Special Pass, individuals must apply to the Ugandan immigration authorities. The application process requires individuals to provide information about their intended activities in the country and provide supporting documentation, such as a contract for employment, medical referral letter, or business proposal. The immigration authorities will review the application and issue the pass if it is approved.

It is important to note that the Special Pass is not a work permit or a business visa. Individuals who wish to engage in long-term employment or establish a business in Uganda must obtain a different type of visa that allows them to do so.

While the Special Pass provides individuals with a legal means of engaging in specific activities in Uganda, it is important to comply with the conditions of the pass. Failure to do so may result in legal penalties, including deportation from the country.

The Uganda Special Pass is a temporary pass that allows individuals to legally engage in specific activities within the country for a limited period of time. It is useful for individuals who need to work on short-term contracts, seek medical treatment, engage in tourism, or explore business opportunities. To obtain the pass, individuals must apply to the Ugandan immigration authorities and comply with the conditions of the pass during their stay in the country.

What is the Uganda Special Pass and who needs it?

The Uganda Special Pass is a document that allows foreign nationals to legally stay in Uganda for a limited period of time, usually up to three months. It is issued to individuals who do not qualify for a work permit or any other form of residency permit in Uganda, but who have a legitimate reason to stay in the country for a short period of time.

The following are some of the individuals who may need a Uganda Special Pass:

• For sponsorship: This option is for individuals who are applying for the Uganda Special Pass under a company or organization.
• For individuals: This option is for applicants who are applying for the Uganda Special Pass in their personal capacity, without any affiliation to a company or organization.
• For diplomats: This type of pass is reserved for individuals who hold diplomatic passports.
• For officials: This type of pass is issued to individuals who hold official passports, and to employees of organizations that are exempted from paying fees for the Uganda Special Pass.

It is important to note that the Uganda Special Pass is not a work permit and should not be used for employment purposes. If a foreign national intends to work in Uganda, they are required to obtain a work permit or any other appropriate form of residency permit.

How to apply for a Uganda Special Pass

Here is a brief explanation of each step involved in applying for a Uganda Special Pass:

Step 1: Log into the Immigration Portal and select start new application

Applicants are required to visit the Uganda Immigration website and create an account by registering as a new user. After that, they can log into the portal and select the "start new application" option to begin their application for the Uganda Special Pass.

Step 2: Accept the terms and conditions displayed in the Disclaimer.

Before proceeding with the application, applicants are required to read and accept the terms and conditions displayed in the Disclaimer.

Step 3: Select the Special Pass permit, category and sub category

Applicants are required to select the Special Pass permit category and sub-category that corresponds to the purpose of their visit. They must ensure they select the appropriate category and sub-category to avoid processing delays or rejection of the application.

Step 4: Complete the application form

Applicants are required to complete the application form provided on the Immigration Portal. The form requires the applicant to provide personal information, passport details, and purpose of their visit.

Step 5: Upload the required documents; a six-digit application ID eg. (234790123) is automatically generated as the reference number

Applicants are required to upload the required documents such as a valid passport, passport size photo, and any other supporting documents relevant to the category and sub-category selected. Upon uploading the documents, a six-digit application ID is generated automatically as a reference number for the application.

Step 6: Make payment for applications that require prepayment.

Applicants are required to make payment for their application if the category and sub-category selected require prepayment. The payment is made online using a debit/credit card or mobile money.

Step 7: Upon approval, for application that don’t require top up payment, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to the applicant on the home page

If the application is approved and does not require top-up payment, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to the applicant on their home page.

Step 8: Upon approval, make a top up payment for applications that require a top up payment. After payment an approval letter is generated and emailed to the client

For applications that require top-up payment, applicants will be required to make the payment before an approval letter is generated and emailed to them.

Step 9: Report to the immigration office/ border for biometric capture with all documents uploaded, payment receipts, approval letter and passport

After receiving the approval letter, applicants are required to report to the nearest immigration office or border post for biometric capture. They must bring along all the documents uploaded, payment receipts, approval letter, and their passport for verification purposes. Once their biometric data is captured, the Uganda Special Pass will be issued to them.

Requirements for obtaining a Uganda Special Pass

For sponsored applicants: this option is for individuals who are applying for a Uganda Special Pass under a company or organization.

To apply, the following documents are required:

• A copy of the passport bio data page with at least six months of validity remaining.
• A recent passport-sized photograph.
• A copy of the contract.
• A covering letter from the company explaining the reason for the special pass and the expected duration of stay.
• Information about the applicant's current immigration status.

For individual applicants: this option is for individuals who are applying for a Uganda Special Pass in their individual capacity and not under any company or organization.

To apply, the following documents are required:

• A covering letter explaining the reason for the special pass.
• Documents to support the stated reason for the pass and the expected duration of stay.

For Diplomat applicants: this option is issued to holders of diplomatic passports.

To apply, the following documents are required:

• A covering letter from the Embassy in the form of a Diplomatic Note.
• A covering letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Uganda

For Official applicants: this option is issued to holders of official passports, as well as employees in organizations that are exempted from paying the special pass fees.

To apply, the following documents are required:

• Documents to support the official status and the expected duration of stay.

Fees and processing time for a Uganda Special Pass

The fees and processing time for a Uganda Special Pass depend on the category and subcategory selected.

The processing time can range from one to five working days for applications that do not require top-up payments, and up to 15 working days for applications that require top-up payments.

The fees for the Uganda Special Pass are as follows:

• Sponsored:400 USD for 3 month
• Individual: 400 USD for 3 month
• Diplomat: 400 USD for 3 month
• Official: 400 USD for 3 month

Validity and renewal of a Uganda Special Pass

The validity of a Uganda Special Pass is 3 months. It's important to note that the Uganda Special Pass is a single-entry permit, which means that once the pass holder leaves Uganda, they will need to apply for a new one to re-enter.

To renew a Uganda Special Pass, the pass holder can apply for a new pass at least two weeks before the expiration date of the current pass. The renewal application process is similar to the initial application process, and the pass holder will need to provide the required documents and pay the necessary fees.

Consequences of not obtaining a Uganda Special Pass

It is important to obtain a Uganda Special Pass if you are a foreign national planning to stay in Uganda for a period longer than the duration allowed by your visa or visa exemption. Failure to obtain a Special Pass can have serious consequences, including:

• Fines: If you are caught without a valid Special Pass, you may be fined or required to pay a penalty.
• Deportation: You may be deported and banned from returning to Uganda in the future.
• Legal action: You may face legal action, including possible criminal charges, which can result in imprisonment or other serious consequences.
• Difficulty obtaining visas in the future: If you are deported or face legal action for not obtaining a Uganda Special Pass, it can affect your ability to obtain visas for other countries in the future.

Therefore, it is highly recommended that foreign nationals obtain a Uganda Special Pass if they are planning to stay in Uganda for a period longer than the duration allowed by their visa or visa exemption.

Frequently asked questions: