The proposed Pamoja Visa is attracting attention as Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania prepare to co-host the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). The initiative is intended to make regional travel easier and help the three host countries maximise the economic benefits of the tournament. For international football fans, the possibility of a joint visa raises important questions about eligibility, application procedures, entry requirements and travel between the participating countries.
If implemented as intended, a common visa arrangement could make it easier for eligible visitors to combine football matches with holidays in multiple host countries.
However, travellers should understand the distinction between a proposed visa arrangement and an operational immigration policy. The final conditions, application procedure, fees and implementation date must be confirmed through official announcements from the participating governments.
What is the Pamoja Visa?
One visa; three countries! That is what the Pamoja visa intends for football fans or officials travelling for AFCON 2027
The Pamoja Visa is the name associated with the proposed joint visa initiative intended to facilitate travel during AFCON 2027, which Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania will co-host.
The word pamoja means “together” in Swahili. It reflects the regional cooperation behind an initiative intended to help visitors move between the participating countries more conveniently.
Under a joint visa arrangement, a traveller would generally apply for one visa covering multiple participating countries instead of applying separately for a visa for each country. The exact benefits, however, depend on the final agreement.
For AFCON supporters, the proposal could make it easier to plan a trip involving matches in different countries. A visitor might want to attend a game in Uganda, travel to Kenya for another fixture and then continue to Tanzania for sightseeing.
The initiative also has potential implications beyond football. A joint visa could support multi-country holidays, business visits and other forms of tourism if the final rules permit those activities.
An important clarification: The Pamoja Visa should not automatically be treated as an already available travel document. Its final legal status, official name, participating-country coverage, application process and conditions must be established from authoritative government guidance before travellers rely on it.
Which countries will the Pamoja Visa cover?
The proposed initiative is associated with the three countries hosting AFCON 2027: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. This is an important distinction because the existing East Africa Tourist Visa has a different country arrangement.
The final Pamoja Visa rules will need to confirm whether the document will cover all three host countries, whether any additional destinations will be included, and whether the same conditions will apply at every participating border.
Travellers should not assume that a visa covering one East African country automatically grants entry into neighbouring countries. Immigration permissions depend on the specific visa and the rules of each participating state.
Pamoja Visa vs East Africa Tourist Visa
Copy of the East African Visa valid for Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda
One of the most important questions for travellers is whether the proposed Pamoja Visa is the same as the existing East Africa Tourist Visa.
They should not be confused. The East Africa Tourist Visa is an established multiple-entry tourist visa arrangement for eligible visitors travelling to Uganda, Kenya and Rwanda. It generally permits tourism visits of up to 90 days, subject to its conditions. Tanzania is not part of that arrangement.
The proposed Pamoja Visa, by contrast, is associated with the AFCON 2027 co-hosts: Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania.
The difference matters for visitors planning a trip across East Africa during AFCON matches. Someone holding an East Africa Tourist Visa should not assume it provides entry into Tanzania. Likewise, travellers should not assume that the proposed Pamoja Visa is available for application until the relevant authorities confirm its launch.
Who may qualify for the Pamoja Visa?
The eligibility rules for the proposed Pamoja Visa will depend on the final agreement between the participating countries. International football fans are a key group expected to benefit from the initiative. Other international visitors may also be interested if the visa is designed to support tourism more broadly.
Before applying, travellers should establish whether the arrangement will be available to their nationality and intended travel purpose.
The final rules will need to clarify whether the visa will be restricted to AFCON ticket holders or whether other eligible tourists will be able to use it. They should also explain whether visitors travelling for business, media coverage, family visits or other purposes will be eligible.
Travellers should not assume that all nationalities qualify automatically. Visa-exempt nationals may have different entry requirements, while visitors who ordinarily require visas may need to complete an application before departure.
Until official eligibility rules are published, the safest approach is to check the immigration website or embassy guidance for the country through which the traveller intends to enter.
How much will the Pamoja Visa cost?
The official fee for the proposed Pamoja Visa should be confirmed through government announcements.
Travellers should not assume that it will cost the same as the existing East Africa Tourist Visa or that the fee will be reduced for AFCON supporters.
The final arrangement will need to clarify whether the visa will have a single fixed fee, whether children will be charged differently, and whether any special conditions will apply to football fans.
Applicants should also check whether processing charges or other official fees apply.
For visitors comparing the cost of travelling across several countries, a joint visa could potentially reduce the administrative burden of applying for separate visas. However, the actual financial saving will depend on the final fee structure and each traveller’s eligibility.
How long will the Pamoja Visa be valid?
The validity period and permitted duration of stay for the proposed Pamoja Visa require official confirmation.
These are not necessarily the same thing. A visa’s validity determines the period during which it can be used for entry, while the permitted duration of stay determines how long the traveller may remain in the participating countries.
The final conditions should clarify when the validity period begins, whether multiple entries will be permitted, and whether visitors must leave the region by a particular date.
This information will be particularly important for football fans planning to attend matches in more than one country or combine the tournament with an extended holiday.
Travellers should not use the 90-day validity associated with the existing East Africa Tourist Visa as an assumed validity period for the proposed Pamoja Visa.
Can you enter all three AFCON countries with one visa?
This is one of the most important questions the proposed initiative needs to answer.
The initiative is associated with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, the three AFCON 2027 co-hosts. Its intended value lies in making travel across the region easier.
However, the exact entry rights will depend on the final agreement and the visa conditions issued by the participating countries.
Travellers should verify whether the visa permits entry into all three countries, whether it allows multiple entries, and whether any restrictions apply to particular nationalities or border crossings.
They should also establish whether separate permissions are required for travel purposes not covered by the visa.
A common visa would not automatically remove the need to comply with each country’s immigration laws.
Does the Pamoja Visa cover Rwanda?
Travellers should not assume that Rwanda will be included in the proposed Pamoja Visa. The AFCON 2027 joint visa initiative is associated with Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Rwanda, meanwhile, participates in the existing East Africa Tourist Visa arrangement with Uganda and Kenya.
Visitors who want to include Rwanda in their itinerary should check the official rules for the visa they intend to use and the entry requirements that apply to their nationality.
A traveller planning to visit Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda may need to investigate separate visa arrangements or other applicable entry permissions.
The final Pamoja Visa rules will need to clarify its geographical coverage. Until then, the existing East Africa Tourist Visa and the proposed AFCON-related initiative should be treated as distinct arrangements.
Can you use the Pamoja Visa for business or work?
The permitted purposes of travel will depend on the final visa conditions. A tourist visa generally allows tourism-related activities but does not automatically authorise employment or every type of business activity.
Visitors travelling to AFCON as spectators may have different immigration considerations from journalists, team officials, contractors, commercial representatives or people travelling to work during the tournament.
Anyone visiting for professional duties should confirm the appropriate immigration category rather than assuming that a tourist visa is sufficient.
The final Pamoja Visa guidance should specify its permitted activities and explain whether particular visitor categories need additional authorisation.
Final thoughts
The proposed Pamoja Visa could become an important part of East Africa’s preparations for AFCON 2027. By exploring a joint visa arrangement for Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania, the participating countries are seeking ways to facilitate regional travel and maximise the tournament’s wider economic benefits.
For football supporters, the potential advantage is straightforward: a common visa arrangement could make it easier to plan a trip across multiple host countries, depending on the final conditions.
However, important details still need to be confirmed before travellers can rely on the arrangement. These include eligibility, application procedures, fees, validity, permitted activities and the exact countries covered.
Until official guidance becomes available, visitors should avoid assuming that the proposed visa is already open for applications or that its conditions match those of an existing East African visa.
For the most reliable information, travellers should consult official immigration announcements from Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania before booking their trip.
As AFCON 2027 approaches, the Pamoja Visa will be an important development to watch for anyone planning to experience football and tourism across East Africa.
