Uganda
Corporate Guide

What are the requirements for obtaining a work permit in Uganda?

For Class A (Diplomatic Service)

a copy of the applicant’s passport (bio-data page with at least six months validity);
a recent passport-size photograph;
a cover letter from the embassy (diplomatic note); and
a letter from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application.

For Class A (Official Service)

a copy of the applicant’s passport (bio-data page with at least six months validity);
a recent passport-size photograph;
a cover letter from the agency; and
documents to support official status.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application.

For Class A2 (Government Contractors)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
a cover letter from the organisation (ministry, department or agency); and
a copy of the contract with the government institution.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. Payments are done after the application has been processed.

For Class B1 (Agriculture)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
a cover letter from the company;
recommendation letter from the local council or Resident District Commissioner from the area where the business is to be undertaken;
copy of the land title or agreement;
bank statements for the last three months;
work plan / feasibility study of the project to be undertaken;
current immigration status; and
recommendation letter from the Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. There is a pre-payment fee which is non-refundable and an application fee after the application has been processed.

For Class B2 (Investment in Agriculture)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter specifically pointing out the class of permit the specific sector involved and the
agro-processed product profile of the company;
valid tax clearance certificate in the company’s name;
copy of the land title or agreement;
bank statements of the company for the last three months;
proof of purchase of agricultural raw materials from Uganda;
current immigration status;
certified proof of shareholding by the applicant;
recommendation letter from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperatives;
a licence from Uganda Investment Authority; and
relevant certifications from the relevant body in Uganda e.g. UNBS (Q-mark of the agro-processed product).

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. There is an application fee after the application has been processed and approved.

For Class C1 (Mining)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or home country;
cover letter from the company;
bank statements of the company for the last three months;
current immigration status;
copy of the licence from the Uganda Investment Authority;
certified proof of shareholding by the applicant;
copy of a valid mining licence or prospecting licence issued in Uganda; and
a support letter from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development.

For Class C2 (Mining)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter specifically pointing out the class of permit and the specific sector involved in the specific mineral profile of the company and the location of the mines;
valid tax clearance certificate in the company’s name;
bank statements of the company for the last three months;
current immigration status;
copy of the licence from the Uganda Investment Authority;
certified proof of shareholding by the applicant;
copy of a valid mining licence issued by the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development in Uganda; and
support letter from the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and any other relevant government agency.

For Class D (Business and Trade)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter from the company stating what the company deals in;
valid tax clearance certificate;
certified copy of the company's bank statements for the last three months;
current immigration status;
copy of a valid trade licence; and
a list of employees in the company indicating their nationalities and positions.

For Class E (Manufacturing)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter specifically pointing out the class of permit the specific sector involved and the specific manufacturing product profile of the company;
valid tax clearance certificate in the company’s name;
certified copy of the company's bank statements for the last three months;
current immigration status;
copy of the licence from the Uganda Investment Authority; and
certified proof of shareholding by the applicant.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. There is a pre-payment fee which is non-refundable for the 6-month and 12-month permits and an application fee after the application has been processed for the 24-month and 36-month permits.

For Class F (Professionals)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter from the company;
certified proof of shareholding in the company;
current immigration status; and
registration certificate with the relevant professional body in Uganda e.g. Association of Medical Practitioners, Association of Media Practitioners, among others.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. There is a pre-payment fee which is non-refundable for the 6-month permit and then both the prepayment fee and application fee after the application has been processed for the 12-, 24- and 36-month permits.

For Class G1 (Volunteers, NGO Workers and Missionaries)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter from the organisation;
valid NGO permit for the NGO volunteers or employees;
appointment letter from the organisation;
certified copy of the qualifications;
current immigration status;
recommendation letter from the NGO Bureau;
the criminal record report (from home country) or Interpol letter from home country); and
list of employees in the organisation indicating the nationality and position held.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. Application fee payment is done after the application has been processed.

For Class G2 (Foreign Expatriates)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or their home country;
cover letter from the entity;
valid tax clearance certificate of the entity;
appointment letter from the entity;
certified copies of the qualifications / translation from Makerere University School of Languages, Literature and Communication;
current immigration status; and
list of employees in the organisation indicating their nationalities and positions held.

For Class H (Ordinary Residents)

a copy of the passport’s bio-date page (the passport must be valid for at least six months);
a recent passport-size photo;
valid police clearance from Interpol or home country (issued within the last six months);
cover letter / application from the applicant;
letter of undertaking not to accept any employment, paid or unpaid or any income-generating activity;
documentary evidence of assured income of not less than USD 36,000 per annum; and
current immigration status.

Permits may be issued for 6 months, 12 months, 24 months or 36 months depending on the application. The application fee is paid after the application has been processed and approved for the 6 and 12-month permits and there is a pre-payment fee which is non-refundable for the 24 and 36-month permits.

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