Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda are preparing a joint tourist visa for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), scheduled for June and July 2027. This proposed visa would allow international visitors to enter all three host countries using a single document, facilitating travel during the tournament.
Existing East African Visa Schemes and Tanzania’s Position
Since 2014, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda have operated a joint tourist visa allowing eligible visitors to travel across the three countries under one permit. This arrangement involves a $100 fee and permits multiple entries within a 90-day period. Tanzania has not joined this scheme, citing concerns about national security and economic impacts.
Tanzania’s Historical Objections to Visa Integration
In 2014,
Tanzania officially rejected joining the common visa, with then-East African affairs minister Samuel Sitta raising questions about revenue sharing and sovereignty over immigration controls. Tanzania remains outside the Kenya-Uganda-Rwanda arrangement, alongside Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Somalia, which have not participated in regional visa schemes.
Political Endorsement and Ministerial Support
On July 2, 2026, Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni endorsed the introduction of a joint visa covering Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania for AFCON 2027. He directed officials to open discussions with the other hosts. East African Community ministers responsible for tourism and wildlife management have also backed efforts to streamline travel
during the tournament.
Operational Uncertainties and Eligibility Criteria
No official details have been released regarding the legal framework, visa eligibility rules, fee structures or implementation procedures for the AFCON visa. It remains unclear if the visa would allow unlimited re-entries or whether all international visitors or only ticket-holding football fans would qualify. Rwanda’s inclusion in the arrangement is also uncertain.
Traveler Benefits and Regional Tourism Impact
The proposed visa aims to ease travel for football fans, tourists, officials and team members by reducing the need for multiple visa applications. This could simplify itineraries spanning Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, improving access to safari operators, local guides, accommodations and other tourism services. The
arrangement may encourage multi-country visits during the four-month visa validity period.
Regional Tourism Integration Challenges
Despite joint marketing of East Africa’s wildlife, beaches and cultural heritage, immigration systems remain fragmented. The region targets 11 million tourist arrivals by 2027 and adopted a Tourism Marketing Strategy for 2027–2036 supporting promotional efforts linked to AFCON. However, permanent visa harmonization efforts are complicated by issues around national sovereignty, security, visa revenue distribution and immigration policy differences.
Prospects for Regional Visa Cooperation Beyond AFCON 2027
The AFCON visa may serve as a temporary arrangement with a defined validity period and purpose. Successful implementation could pave the way for a permanent single tourist visa, contingent on agreeing
fee collection, revenue sharing, eligibility criteria and border-crossing responsibilities. Past reports highlight challenges in enforcing existing visa schemes, including extra entry charges for travelers holding regional visas.
