Details emerge on US visa restrictions for Ugandans

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The US Embassy in Kampala has given more details of the sweeping changes its country has made to non-immigrant visa policy for nationals of certain countries, including Uganda.

The US visa issuance for business and tourist travel was changed to a single entry and valid for only three months as of July 8, 2025.

“What this means is that an individual has three months from the date of visa issuance to enter the United States and may enter the United States only once on this visa. It is the immigration officer at the port of entry who determines how long an individual may stay in the US,” the embassy said in a statement shared by its Strategic Communications Specialist, Dorothy Nanyonga, on Thursday (July 17).

It is the latest of a series of travel bans or restrictions announced by Washington, many of them affecting African countries.

It explained that this period will be stated to the traveller or stamped in the individual’s passport.

“It is important to confirm at that time how long you are permitted to stay in the United States and ensure that you remember and depart the United States by that date,” the statement said.

The embassy also noted that the new single-entry, three-month validity visa aligns with Ugandan visas issued for US citizens travelling on business and tourist visas.

In the past, the US business and tourist visas were valid for two years.

US Mission consular section chief Tania Romanoff told journalists in Kampala early this week that a Ugandan using their visa to travel for the primary purpose of giving birth in the US so that their child will have US citizenship is illegal.

She also stated that if a student visa holder drops out, skips classes, or leaves their programme of study without informing the school, their student visa may be revoked, and they may lose eligibility for future US visas.

Ambassador elaborates

Speaking at the same media briefing, US ambassador to Uganda William Popp said the Department of State is committed to protecting its nation and citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through its visa process.

He said in line with Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14161 of January 20, every applicant for a US visa undergoes extensive security screening to ensure that individuals who pose a threat to the country, its citizens, or its national interests do not obtain visas.

US supervisory special agent Brian Jolda said individuals who intentionally provide fraudulent documents on visa applications or during interviews will not get a visa and may be permanently ineligible to enter the US.

“The US Embassy retains the right to present the applicant with fraudulent documents to Ugandan police for prosecution,” he said.

He added that if an individual uses a US visa to travel to the US and misuses their visa, they may be subject to deportation and ineligible for visas and future entry to the country.

“When you arrive at the US border, an immigration agent will inform you how long you can stay in the US. If you overstay, you could be deported and could face a permanent ban on travelling to the United States in the future,” Jolda said.

The officials quoted their secretary of state, Marco Antonio Rubio as saying, “Violators of US law – including international students – face visa denial or revocation, and deportation.”

Travel bans

US President Donald Trump last month imposed travel bans on nationals from 12 countries, most of them African, citing national security concerns and inadequate vetting procedures.

Under the order, citizens of seven African countries - Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Libya, Somalia and Sudan -- were banned from entering the United States.