A specific type of visa that is issued to individuals who are entering a country for official business or duties. This visa is available to individuals who hold diplomatic, official, or service passports, as well as to ordinary passport holders who are exempt from paying immigration fees.

Diplomatic passports are issued to individuals who are employed by their country's diplomatic service, such as ambassadors or other high-level officials. These individuals are usually traveling to the country on official government business, such as attending diplomatic meetings, negotiating treaties, or conducting political and economic business on behalf of their government.

Official passports are issued to individuals who are traveling for official government business but may not hold as high of a position as those with diplomatic passports. This can include government officials, judges, or other individuals who are traveling on behalf of their government.

Service passports are issued to individuals who work for international organizations, such as the United Nations or the International Red Cross, and are traveling on official business.

In addition to these passport types, the paragraph also refers to ordinary passport holders who are exempt from paying immigration fees. This could include individuals from certain countries who have established diplomatic agreements with the country they are entering, or individuals who are entering the country for specific reasons, such as medical treatment or education.

These visas are typically issued to individuals who are entering a country for official government business and may provide additional privileges or exemptions from certain immigration requirements.

In order to obtain this type of visa, individuals will typically need to provide documentation supporting their official government business, such as an invitation letter from the host government or organization. They may also need to provide additional documentation, such as proof of travel arrangements and financial support.

A brief overview of a specific type of visa that is available to individuals entering a country for official government business. By understanding the specific passport types and exemption criteria, individuals can better navigate the visa application process and ensure that they are meeting all necessary requirements.

You can apply for a visa for Diplomatic and Official passport holders in the following categories-

• Diplomatic
• Official

Diplomatic

If you are a diplomatic passport holder and wish to travel to Uganda, you will need to obtain a Diplomatic Visa. The process of obtaining a diplomatic visa may differ from that of a regular tourist visa.

You should provide them with a written request from your government or diplomatic mission, outlining the purpose of your visit, and the dates you will be in Uganda. You will also need to provide a copy of your diplomatic passport, a completed visa application form, and a passport-sized photo.

The diplomatic visa application process can take several weeks, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel date. Once your application is processed, you will receive a diplomatic visa that is valid for the duration of your visit.

It is essential to note that diplomatic visa holders are exempt from visa fees, but you may be required to pay other fees related to the visa application process, such as processing fees or courier fees.

It is recommended to consult with the Ugandan Embassy or Consulate in your country to obtain detailed information on the application process, requirements, and any other additional instructions or documentation that may be needed.

Official

If you are an official passport holder and need to travel to Uganda for official purposes, you will need to obtain an Official Visa. The process of obtaining an Official Visa is different from that of a regular tourist visa.

To apply for an Official Visa to Uganda, you will need to provide a written request from your employer or the organization you are representing in Uganda. The request should outline the purpose of your visit, the dates you will be in Uganda, and the nature of your work or activities in the country.

You will also need to provide a completed visa application form, a passport-sized photo, and a copy of your official passport. Your employer or organization in Uganda may also need to provide additional documentation to support your visa application, such as an invitation letter or a letter of introduction. The processing time for an Official Visa may take several weeks, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of your planned travel date.

Once your visa application is approved, you will receive an Official Visa that is valid for the duration of your stay in Uganda. It is essential to note that Official Visa holders are exempt from visa fees, but you may be required to pay other fees related to the visa application process, such as processing fees or courier fees.

Required Document for Diplomatic And Official Passport Holder

• A diplomatic visa, You need a valid diplomatic passport (bio-data page & cover page) with a minimum of 6 months' validity.
• An official visa, you need a valid official passport (bio-data page & cover page) with a minimum of 6 months' validity.
• A Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate is required for entry into Uganda. Travelers should get vaccinated at least 10 days before their trip and carry the certificate with them.
• A Diplomatic Note, also known as a Note Verbale, is a formal written communication from one country's foreign ministry to another, usually regarding official matters such as visas or diplomatic privileges.
• A recent passport-sized photograph is required for visa applications and other official documents. The photo should be in color, have a plain background, and be taken within the past six months.
• Supporting documents for an official visa may include a letter of invitation from a host organization in Uganda, a letter of introduction from the applicant's employer, and travel itinerary information.

How to apply for Uganda Visa for Diplomatic And Official Passport Holder

The process for applying for a Uganda visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders is generally the same. Here are the steps:

Step 1: Log into the Uganda Immigration Portal and select "start new application." You will need to create an account if you don't have one yet.

Step 2: Accept the terms and conditions displayed in the Disclaimer to proceed with the application.

Step 3: Select the visa type, category, and sub-category based on the purpose of your travel.

Step 4: Complete the application form with accurate and up-to-date information, including your personal details, passport information, travel itinerary, and other relevant details.

Step 5: Upload the required documents, including your passport bio-data page, recent passport-sized photograph, Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate, and other supporting documents depending on the visa category. A six-digit application ID (e.g., 234790123) will be automatically generated as the reference number for your application.

Step 6: Make payment for applications that require prepayment, such as visa application fees. The payment can be made through the available online payment options.

Step 7: Upon approval, for applications that don't require a top-up payment, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to the applicant on the home page of their account.

Step 8: Upon approval, make a top-up payment for applications that require additional fees, such as dependents' fees or visa renewal fees. After payment, an approval letter will be generated and emailed to the client.

Step 9: Report to the immigration office or border for biometric capture with all the required documents uploaded, payment receipts, approval letter, and your passport. Biometric capture involves capturing your photo and fingerprints for identification purposes. After the biometric capture, your visa will be issued and stamped on your passport.

Fee of Uganda Visa for Diplomatic And Official Passport Holder

• The Uganda visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders is gratis, which means there is no fee charged.
• Visa fees are non-refundable, so it is important to ensure that all required documents are submitted accurately and completely to avoid delays or rejection.
• All documents submitted with the visa application should be in English.
• Additional documents may be required during the processing of the visa application. It is recommended to carefully review the visa requirements and follow the instructions provided by the Uganda Immigration Department to ensure a smooth application process.

Processing time of Uganda Visa for Diplomatic And Official Passport Holder

The processing time for a Uganda visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders can vary depending on a few factors, such as the type of visa, the completeness of the application and supporting documents, and the volume of applications being processed at the time.

In general, the standard processing time for a Uganda visa is 3-5 working days for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders. However, it is recommended to submit the visa application well in advance of your intended travel date to account for any unforeseen delays that may occur during the processing of the application. If you require an expedited processing time, you may be able to request for an express service for an additional fee.

Validity of Uganda Visa for Diplomatic And Official Passport Holder

The validity of a Uganda visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders can vary depending on the type of visa issued.

For Official Visas, the validity of the visa may range from single entry to multiple entries and can be issued for a period ranging from 3 months to 2 years.

For a Diplomatic Visa, the visa is generally valid for the duration of the diplomatic mission, and the visa holder may be required to renew their visa when their mission is extended.

It is important to note that the length of stay permitted on a visa may not necessarily match the validity period of the visa. The permitted length of stay will be determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry and will be indicated on the entry stamp in the visa holder's passport. It is the responsibility of the visa holder to ensure that they do not overstay their permitted length of stay in Uganda.

Renewal of Uganda Visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holder

The process for renewing a Uganda visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport holders will depend on the type of visa, the reason for the renewal, and the specific circumstances of the visa holder.

For Official Visas, if the visa holder needs to extend their stay in Uganda beyond the validity period of their current visa, they may apply for an extension at the immigration office before their current visa expires. The application should be submitted with a cover letter from their organization, along with any other necessary documents.

For a Diplomatic Visa, the visa holder may be required to renew their visa when their diplomatic mission is extended. In this case, they should submit a request for an extension of their visa through their embassy in Uganda, along with any required documentation.

It is important to note that it is the responsibility of the visa holder to ensure that their visa is renewed before it expires, to avoid any issues with overstaying their permitted length of stay in Uganda.

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