Ugandans travelling to South Sudan will now be required to pay new visa fees after the government in Juba rolled out a revised entry policy affecting most African travellers.
Under the updated visa schedule, a single-entry visa for Ugandan citizens will cost $50 (about Shs185,000), while a three-month multiple-entry visa has been priced at $125 (about Shs462,000). Those seeking a six-month multiple-entry visa will pay $250 (about Shs924,000).
The same rates apply to citizens of Kenya, Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to South Sudan’s e-Visa portal.
For travellers from most other countries, the charges are higher. A single-entry visa now costs $100 (about Shs370,000), while three-month and six-month multiple-entry visas are priced at $200 (about Shs740,000) and $350 (about Shs1.29 million) respectively. Nationals of Somalia and Burundi have also been placed under the $100 single-entry category.
The revised policy retains visa-fee exemptions for citizens of Egypt and Tanzania, while South Africans can continue entering South Sudan without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
The new fee structure marks a shift from a more standardised system to one that sets visa costs according to nationality, resulting in varying charges for African travellers.
The changes are expected to be closely watched by businesses and transport operators who depend on movement between Uganda and South Sudan through the busy Elegu-Nimule border crossing.
South Sudan remains one of Uganda’s leading export destinations, with Ugandan traders supplying foodstuffs, beverages, construction materials and other manufactured products to the neighbouring country. Uganda has also maintained close diplomatic and security cooperation with South Sudan over the years.
In addition to supporting regional peace efforts, Uganda currently hosts about 900,000 South Sudanese refugees under a settlement model that allows refugees to work, access education and healthcare, establish businesses and farm allocated land.
Observers say the higher visa fees could increase the cost of doing business across the border and may influence trade, tourism and investment unless future bilateral or regional agreements ease travel restrictions.
Travellers have been urged to check the latest visa requirements and application procedures through South Sudan’s official e-Visa platform before making travel arrangements.
