Kampala, Uganda — Ugandan nationals seeking to travel to the United States will now receive nonimmigrant visas valid for only three months and a single entry, following new policy changes by the U.S. Department of State.
Announcing the development on Monday at the American Centre in Kampala, U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp, said the decision aligns with President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14161 issued on January 20, 2025.
The directive, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” mandates a thorough evaluation of visa policies to safeguard American citizens and national interests.
“This effort is about ensuring that U.S.-bound foreign travelers do not pose a threat to the national security and public safety of the United States,” said Ambassador Popp. “The Department of State, alongside other agencies, assessed countries’ security capabilities, identity management practices, and issues like visa fraud and overstays.”
As a result of that review, the U.S. has reduced nonimmigrant visa validity for nationals from certain countries, including Uganda. Previously, Ugandans could receive B1/B2 (business/tourist) visas with validity of up to two years.
Under the new regulations, they will receive visas valid for only one entry and three months — a period that mirrors what Ugandan authorities grant to American travelers.
Ambassador Popp emphasized that the new visa policy took immediate effect but will not impact visas issued prior to the change.
Overstay and Security Concerns
Citing the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report for fiscal year 2023, Popp noted that Uganda had an 8.42% overstay rate for B1/B2 visa holders and a significantly higher 16.71% rate among students and exchange visitors (F, M, J categories).
Tania J. Romanoff, the Consular Section Chief at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, reinforced the emphasis on national security in the visa vetting process.
“Any applicant who knowingly provides false or misleading information will be denied a visa and could face permanent ineligibility and possible prosecution either in Uganda or the United States,” she said.
Romanoff clarified that despite the shortened visa validity, the fees remain unchanged. “Visa fees are set globally and are based on the operational cost of interviews, application systems, and visa production,” she explained.
Warning Against Birth Tourism
Romanoff also raised concern about a growing trend of Ugandan parents traveling to the U.S. to give birth — a practice known as “birth tourism.”
“We’ve observed many Ugandans giving birth in the U.S. and then relying on U.S. government aid to cover the costs. This puts an undue burden on the American taxpayer,” she said, warning that consular officers will deny visas if they believe the primary intention is childbirth.
While exact statistics on Ugandan birth tourism were unavailable, Romanoff said such cases are flagged during visa adjudication but are not specifically categorized in refusal databases.
Crackdown on Visa Fraud
Brian Jolda, Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service and head of Overseas Criminal Investigations at the embassy, disclosed a recent wave of arrests tied to visa fraud.
“In just two weeks, we have helped arrest five applicants who presented fake academic credentials and bank statements,” Jolda revealed. “Submitting fraudulent documents is a crime, and perpetrators will be arrested and prosecuted.”
The sweeping policy changes reflect the U.S. government’s tightening of visa protocols globally, with Ugandan travelers among those now facing stricter scrutiny and shorter access to American entry under the new framework.
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