Does Uganda Have a Digital Nomad Visa?

Table of Contents

• So, does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?
• How can you legally enter Uganda for remote work?
• What about a Ugandan tourist visa?
• Alternatives to Uganda for digital nomads?
• The verdict: Does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

Africa, as a continent, is late to the digital nomad party. While there are some brilliant programs up-and-running on the continent – Mauritius, Cape Verde, and Namibia – for instance, there certainly isn’t as much choice here as there is in Asia and Europe for anyone looking to work remotely as a digital nomad.

I live in Uganda with my family and a reader recently asked me – does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

So, in this article, I layout everything you need to know about whether you can currently be a digital nomad in the Pearl of Africa and what the immediate future looks like for remote workers in this part of East Africa.

So, does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

No, Uganda does not have a digital nomad visa. At the time of writing, the government has not announced any plans to launch one, either.

How can you legally enter Uganda for remote work?

As is the case with many countries in Africa, Uganda does not currently have a dedicated remote work or digital nomad visa.

Rather, the country operates a conventional work permit system, where you’re required to apply for a work permit based on the work that you’re planning to do in the country.

Unfortunately for remote workers, there currently isn’t a category that covers digital nomads generically. Essentially, if you want to work in Uganda legally, you must be invited by a Ugandan company.

You can find out more about Ugandan work permits and how to apply here.

What about a Ugandan tourist visa?

Residents of most countries can apply for an online tourist visa to enter Uganda. The visa is valid for a maximum of three months.

However, it clearly states on the tourist visa that any form of work is prohibited while in Uganda on this visa, whether that’s remote work or work undertaken with a Ugandan company.

I’m part of several online communities where I know of digital nomads who enter countries on tourist visas to work remotely. But I certainly wouldn’t recommend this in Uganda.

Though it’s disappointing, the fact that Uganda doesn’t have a digital nomad visa means that the government hasn’t yet decided to open the country to remote workers. I will update this article if this changes in the near future.

Alternatives to Uganda for digital nomads?

I fully understand why digital nomads might be attracted to Uganda. There are so many stunning natural places to explore and Kampala is a vibrant city (if not a bit chaotic!).

If you have your heart set on continuing your digital nomad adventure in East Africa, I highly recommend Mauritius as the number one destination.

Mauritius has a dedicated digital nomad visa that is available to remote workers who earn over $1,500 per month. What’s more, it’s completely free to apply for and it has a relatively quick turnaround time.

You can find out more about how to apply for the Mauritius digital nomad visa via Citizens Remote.

The verdict: Does Uganda have a digital nomad visa?

Unfortunately for would-be remote workers, Uganda does not currently offer a digital nomad visa. Unless you’re invited to work in Uganda, it’s difficult to obtain a work permit. As such, most international visitors who come to Uganda do so with a tourist visa, which can be obtained online.