Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda are working on a proposed joint visa arrangement to make cross-border travel easier for football fans attending the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), as the three East African countries prepare to co-host the continental tournament.

The competition is scheduled to take place from June 19 to July 17, 2027, with the proposed visa framework expected to facilitate movement between the host countries for supporters wishing to attend matches at different venues.

According to a report by The EastAfrican published on October 12, East African Community (EAC) Council of Ministers Chairperson Rebecca Kadaga confirmed that discussions were ongoing during an inspection of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium in Tanzania.

Kadaga, who is also Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for East African Community Affairs, led members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) on the inspection visit.

The initiative is intended to reduce travel barriers for international visitors and make it easier for supporters to follow their national teams across the three host nations.

Joint AFCON Visa Talks Began Earlier in 2026

The proposed arrangement follows earlier discussions among the three countries. Sports ministers from Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda agreed in April 2026 to continue consultations on a common visa framework, while Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni endorsed the initiative in July.

However, the three governments have yet to announce a final agreement or implementation timetable.

Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda already participate in the East African Tourist Visa scheme, which allows eligible visitors to travel among the participating countries under a common visa. Tanzania, however, is not part of that arrangement.

The proposed AFCON visa would therefore require a separate framework covering the three tournament hosts.

Important details, including eligibility requirements, visa fees, validity periods and border procedures, remain to be determined.

If implemented effectively, the arrangement could allow supporters to travel more conveniently between match venues without facing separate visa requirements for each host country.

East Africa Targets Tourism and Business Benefits

The proposed visa is also expected to support tourism and economic activity during AFCON 2027.

Kadaga indicated that easier movement between the host countries could encourage international fans to attend matches in multiple destinations, potentially increasing demand for hotels, restaurants, transport services and tourist attractions.

The tournament offers Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda an opportunity to showcase their tourism destinations and strengthen regional cooperation through a major international sporting event.

A common travel framework could also help businesses serving football supporters reach visitors moving between the three countries.

However, the potential economic benefits will depend on the final visa conditions, the efficiency of border procedures and the ability of the host countries to coordinate transport, accommodation and other visitor services.

Tanzania’s Pamoja AFCON Stadium Nears Completion

The visa discussions took place during an inspection of the Arusha Pamoja AFCON Stadium, one of the infrastructure projects associated with Tanzania’s preparations for the tournament.

Engineers overseeing construction reportedly said the stadium was approximately 95 per cent complete during the October 12 visit.

Tanzania’s Information, Culture, Arts and Sports Minister, Paul Makonda, put the project’s construction cost at $112 million and its capacity at 32,500 spectators.

However, China Railway Construction Engineering Group, the company involved in the project, has separately described the facility as having a capacity of approximately 30,000.

The differing figures mean the stadium’s final officially confirmed capacity should be established before publication of definitive attendance information.

CAF Confirms AFCON 2027 Dates

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has confirmed that AFCON 2027 will run from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

The tournament will be jointly hosted by Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda, marking a major regional collaboration in the organisation of African football’s flagship national-team competition.

The joint hosting arrangement is expected to require coordination on stadium readiness, transport links, accommodation, security and entry procedures for international visitors.

Tanzanian EALA member Abdullah Makame has cautioned that the proposed visa’s effectiveness will depend on the final rules and their consistent application at border crossings.

His comments underscore the importance of establishing clear procedures before the competition begins.

For football supporters planning to attend AFCON 2027, the proposed joint visa could make it easier to follow matches across East Africa. However, travellers should await an official announcement before relying on the arrangement when making visa applications or travel plans.