Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania consider joint visa for 2027 AFCON supporters

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are considering introducing a joint visa for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations in a move designed to make travel easier for supporters, teams, officials and visitors attending the tournament.

The proposal, launched by Uganda, would allow travellers to enter and move freely between the three co-hosting nations using a single travel document instead of applying for separate visas.

If adopted, the system would remain valid across all three countries throughout the competition.

The initiative reflects the joint nature of the tournament, which will be staged under the slogan “Pamoja”, a Swahili word meaning “together”. The three countries are working closely as they prepare to host one of Africa’s biggest sporting events.

According to Lesiteinfo, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) expects the tournament to attract more than 1.5 million travelling supporters.

The competition is also projected to reach a worldwide television audience of nearly 3.2 billion viewers.

Authorities involved in the project say the proposed visa is intended to simplify cross-border movement while making the region more attractive to international visitors before, during and after the tournament.

By reducing travel restrictions, the three countries hope to improve the overall experience for those attending the competition.

The proposal builds on an existing regional travel arrangement. In 2014, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda introduced the East African tourist visa, which allows eligible travellers to move between participating countries using a single document. The visa is valid for 90 days and costs 100 US dollars.

For the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania are considering adapting that model specifically for the tournament.

The temporary arrangement could provide a practical solution for the large number of supporters expected to travel across the region during the competition.

The project also carries a broader objective beyond football. Officials say the tournament could provide an opportunity to test a system that may later contribute to a wider policy on the free movement of people within the East African Community.

Alongside preparations for the proposed visa, the three co-hosts continue work on infrastructure required for the competition.

Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania have until 31 December 2026 to complete the modernisation of their stadiums and transport networks ahead of the tournament.

The joint visa proposal represents another step in preparations for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations, with organisers aiming to deliver a tournament that allows supporters to travel more easily across the three host nations while strengthening regional cooperation.