Ugandan Passport and East African Visa

The completion and the integration of the Online Applications Systems of URA with the e-Passport System (IMAGO), the Directorate of Citizenship & Immigration Control has helped Ugandans living abroad and the Missions/Embassies abroad process online applications easily.

Ugandans who also hold valid national identity cards will no longer require recommendation from local authorities to process passports as the ministry of internal affairs has eased the process. This follows a plan to integrate the national ID database overseen by the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA) with the registry managed by the internal affairs ministry.

Online Application System to Improve Efficiency

a) The applicants will not be required to go through the tedious process of filling in forms and seeking referrals from several authorities since the data will be retrieved from NIRA and there will be no need for one to obtain signatures from Local Council chairpersons for endorsement

b) Passport applicants will fill in a shorter application form at the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control head offices or submit their details online this is done in order to improve efficiency in processing of government documents including passports and to minimize fraud by limiting human interaction.

C) The national ID data is considered more comprehensive in terms of information as it carries information about the holder. The system has already been used by other entities, including telecom service providers.

d) Formally the traditional procedure for acquiring a passport started with obtaining two forms (A and B) online or from the nearest Immigration Office. The filled forms where then supposed to be taken personally by the applicant for endorsement by area local council 1, Local council 2 and local council 3 offices, the Resident District Commissioner and the District Internal Security Organization (DISO) who had to endorse the forms plus one also needed a recommender for endorsement which encouraged fraud through use of middlemen plus the process was tedious.

e) The regular passport would take about 10 to 30 days to process at a cost of sh150,000 but with the online application it takes a short period to process about four days or less for an express passport at twice the cost.

Requirements for the Application and How to Apply

1) Log in online and Navigate to the passport portal www.passports.go.ug.

2) Click the Start New Application link to start a new application.

3) Accept the terms and conditions displayed in the Disclaimer.

4) Answer simple security questions.

5) Complete the passport application form.

6) Print the Passport Application Payment Advice Form.

7) Make payment for the selected type of passport using the selected payment method.

8) Schedule an appointment with the nearest Mission/Embassy for face-to-face interviews.

Requirement of the Missions Staff

The Immigration/Consular Officer conducts the interview and records or documents the results on the Passport Interview Record Form.

The Passport Interview Record Form is signed by the applicant and the interviewing officer at the immigration Ministry of Internal Affairs.

Applications without National Identity Cards

The government is aware that a number of Ugandans in the Diaspora have not yet acquired National ID cards due to geographical challenges. Therefore, an applicant who has not yet acquired a National ID will not be required to provide his/her National Identification card however he or she will be required to schedule an appointment with our Embassies for a face-to-face interview so as to enable the Consular Officer ascertain the applicant’s nationality plus the applicant MUST also bring along a copy of a Recommender’s National ID when coming for the face-to-face interview.

The Documents being Sent to Passport Control Officer

1. The Applicant should attache the following documents to the Passport Interview Record Form for onward transmission to the Passport Control Officer:
2. a) A copy of National Identity Card or NIRA confirmation letter. (Those without National IDs see previous sub-heading above)
3. b) A copy of Bio data page and File Number page (page 45) of the current passport.
4. c) A copy of Police Report or Sworn in Affidavit for lost passport.
5. d) A copy of Marriage Certificate for change of name due to marriage.
6. e) A Deed poll and gazette for change of name.
7. f) A citizenship certificate where applicable.
8. g) 2 passport photos. One must be stamped by the interviewing officer as indicated on the Passport Interview Record Form.
9. h) Proof of one’s profession.
10. i) A copy of Recommender’s National ID who is not a Mission staff.

The Applicant must meet the cost of sending the above documents by courier to:

The Director,

Directorate of Citizenship & Immigration Control,

Ministry of Internal Affairs,

Plot 67, Old Port Bell Road

P.O. Box 7161, KAMPALA.

Passport Control Office

What happens at the Passport Control Office?

The Passport Control enrollment Officer is responsible for enrollment and scanning the Passport Interview Record Form and other relevant attachments for passport processing. The new Passport is dispatched by Courier to the respective Mission/Embassy from where the applicant can arrange for pick up.