KAMPALA, Uganda — The United States has reduced the validity of nonimmigrant visas for Ugandan citizens to three months, effective immediately. The change, announced Monday by U.S. Ambassador William Popp, aligns with efforts to enhance U.S. national security and ensure reciprocal visa arrangements.
Speaking at the American Center in Kampala, Popp said the directive is part of a broader initiative outlined in President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14161, issued Jan. 20, 2025, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The order mandates an evaluation of visa programs to prevent exploitation by foreign actors who might threaten U.S. security, economy or public safety.
“In furtherance of the executive order, the Department of State has revised the nonimmigrant visa validity for nationals of several countries, including Uganda,” Popp said. “Going forward, new visas for Ugandan citizens will be valid for one entry and a duration of three months—mirroring the visa terms Uganda applies to American tourists and business travelers.”
Previously, nonimmigrant visas for Ugandans were valid for up to two years. Consular fees remain unchanged, as they are globally standardized based on processing and operational costs.
Tania J. Romanoff, the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Section Chief, emphasized that national security remains paramount in the visa adjudication process. She warned against the misuse of U.S. visas, particularly for “birth tourism,” where applicants travel primarily to give birth in the U.S. to gain citizenship for their children.
“Consular officers will deny visas if they believe birth tourism is the applicant’s main purpose,” Romanoff said, noting such cases shift the financial burden to American taxpayers. While exact numbers on birth tourism are unavailable, Romanoff confirmed these cases are handled individually and not tracked separately.
Brian Jolda, the U.S. Embassy’s Supervisory Special Agent with the Diplomatic Security Service, addressed visa fraud, revealing that five Ugandans were recently arrested for presenting fake academic and financial documents during visa applications. “Fraud will not be tolerated. Offenders will be arrested and held accountable,” he stated.
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s latest Entry/Exit Overstay Report, 8.42% of Ugandans with B1/B2 (business/tourist) visas overstayed their authorized stay in the U.S. between October 2022 and September 2023. The overstay rate for Ugandan students and exchange visitors (F, M, J visas) was 16.71%.
The U.S. Embassy reiterated that any deliberate misrepresentation or fraudulent conduct in the visa process can lead to permanent ineligibility, visa denial or even prosecution in both the U.S. and Uganda.
