U.S Reduces Visa Validity for Ugandans from Years to Three Months

By Faith Barbara N Ruhinda Updated at 2256 EAT on Tuesday 15 July 2025

The United States has significantly reduced the validity of non-immigrant visas for Ugandan nationals—from a maximum of two years to just three months for single entry—citing concerns over misuse of the U.S. visa system.

The announcement was made on Monday by U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, William Popp, during a press briefing at the American Centre in Kampala. Ambassador Popp stated that the decision aligns with the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to protect national security and public safety by maintaining the integrity of its visa processes.

Ambassador Popp explained that the policy shift stems from a directive issued during former President Donald Trump’s administration, which tasked the Secretary of State with reviewing all visa programs to ensure they are not exploited by foreign nationals or hostile actors to undermine U.S. security, economy, politics, or cultural interests.

As part of this directive, Popp said the U.S. Department of State—alongside other government agencies—conducted assessments of countries’ security protocols, including their identity management systems, information-sharing capabilities, and cooperation in addressing visa-related abuses.

This included monitoring issues such as visa fraud, overstays, and failures to repatriate nationals subject to removal from the United States.

“New nonimmigrant visas for Ugandan citizens will now be issued for a single entry, valid for three months—matching the visa validity that Uganda grants to American tourists and business travelers,” Ambassador Popp stated.

Ambassador Popp emphasized that the change in visa validity is one of several measures aimed at strengthening the United States’ ability to detect and prevent abuse of its immigration system.

He noted that the policy takes immediate effect but does not apply retroactively—visas already issued will remain valid under their original terms.

Previously, Ugandan nationals could receive nonimmigrant visas valid for up to two years. However, data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report—covering the period from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023—shows an 8.42% overstay rate for Uganda’s B1/B2 (business and tourist) visa holders. The overstay rate for F, M, and J visa categories (students and exchange visitors) was significantly higher, at 16.71%.

Tania J. Romanoff, Chief of the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Uganda, elaborated on the visa adjudication process, stressing that national security remains their highest priority when screening applicants.

She emphasized that individuals who deliberately provide false or misleading information during the visa application or interview process are denied a visa and may be deemed permanently ineligible. In some cases, such individuals could also face prosecution—either in Uganda or the United States.

Romanoff further clarified that the reduction in visa validity from two years to three months will not affect visa fees. She explained that visa costs are set globally and are based on the actual expenses involved in processing applications, including conducting in-person interviews, maintaining the application platform, and printing the visa itself.

Addressing the issue of birth tourism, Romanoff cautioned that using a U.S. visa to travel primarily for the purpose of giving birth in the United States is prohibited. She stated that consular officers are instructed to deny visa applications if they have reason to believe that this is the applicant’s main intent.

“We have seen that many Ugandan parents travel to the United States to give birth, and then rely on U.S. government assistance to cover medical costs,” Romanoff revealed. “These expenses ultimately fall on the American taxpayer.”

When asked about the number of Ugandan nationals who have used tourist visas for the purpose of giving birth in the United States, Romanoff said that the embassy does not have specific figures available, as such cases are handled individually and not tracked systematically.

Brian Jolda, Supervisory Special Agent with the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) and head of Overseas Criminal Investigations at the U.S. Embassy in Kampala, emphasized that submitting fraudulent documents during the visa application process is a criminal offense.

He disclosed that, within the past two weeks, the Embassy had assisted in the arrest of five individuals who attempted to obtain visas using forged documents—including O’Level and A’Level certificates, university transcripts, and falsified bank statements. Jolda issued a firm warning, stating that anyone who commits fraud or abuses the visa process will be arrested and held accountable.

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