Your first 90 days in Uganda: the arrival checklist
The visa got you in — this is what turns you into a functioning resident: the registration clock, the ID number everything else depends on, and the money, healthcare, and license steps in the order they actually unlock. Each step links the official source so you can verify the current rule.
Checked against official sources · September 2026 · how we verify
The catch that burns new arrivals
Permit class is everything: a Class G special pass or a dependant's pass does not entitle you to work, and employers and immigration both check. Get the class right at application, because changing it later means a fresh application and a fresh fee.
The checklist, in the order it unlocks
Apply through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control's online portal for a work permit, dependant's pass or certificate of residence
Before your entry stamp expires — visitors are typically admitted for up to 90 days, and permit applications are lodged online during that window
Everything runs through the DCIC's e-immigration portal including payment, and permits are class-based (Class A through G) with the class determining what you may actually do. Applying under the wrong class is the most common reason for a rejection.
Get your TIN (tax identification number) from the Uganda Revenue Authority
Employment, business registration, vehicle purchase, property and URA filings all require it.
Registered online with the Uganda Revenue Authority; the National Social Security Fund registration is separate and applies to formal employment.
Open a bank account
Stanbic, Centenary and Absa Uganda open accounts on the permit, TIN and proof of address. Mobile money (MTN, Airtel) is the everyday payment rail and reaches far further than bank branches do — the registered SIM is as important as the account.
Enrol in healthcare
Public facilities are free but under-resourced; foreign residents use private hospitals in Kampala (International Hospital Kampala, Nakasero) with private or international insurance. Malaria is endemic across the country and is the routine medical reality rather than an exotic risk — prophylaxis and rapid testing access matter more than hospital choice.
Sort your driver's license
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for a limited period after arrival; residents convert through the Uganda Driver Licensing System, with a test for many applicants. Driving is on the left.
Deadlines and requirements vary by nationality, visa type, and region, and they change — this is information current as of 2026, not legal or immigration advice. Verify each step with the official source before you rely on it.
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
First 90 days in Uganda: FAQ
What do I have to do first after arriving in Uganda?
Apply through the Directorate of Citizenship and Immigration Control's online portal for a work permit, dependant's pass or certificate of residence — Before your entry stamp expires — visitors are typically admitted for up to 90 days, and permit applications are lodged online during that window. Everything runs through the DCIC's e-immigration portal including payment, and permits are class-based (Class A through G) with the class determining what you may actually do. Applying under the wrong class is the most common reason for a rejection. Verify the current rule with the official source before you rely on it.
What is the TIN and do I need one?
TIN (tax identification number) from the Uganda Revenue Authority is Uganda's personal tax/ID number. Employment, business registration, vehicle purchase, property and URA filings all require it. Registered online with the Uganda Revenue Authority; the National Social Security Fund registration is separate and applies to formal employment.
Can I drive in Uganda on a US license?
A foreign licence with an International Driving Permit is accepted for a limited period after arrival; residents convert through the Uganda Driver Licensing System, with a test for many applicants. Driving is on the left. Rules differ by nationality and change — check the official source before the window closes.
How do I get healthcare after moving to Uganda?
Public facilities are free but under-resourced; foreign residents use private hospitals in Kampala (International Hospital Kampala, Nakasero) with private or international insurance. Malaria is endemic across the country and is the routine medical reality rather than an exotic risk — prophylaxis and rapid testing access matter more than hospital choice. See our healthcare-systems guide for how Uganda's system treats foreign residents.