Burkina Faso:Visa Requirements

Burkina FasoLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Burkina Faso Visa Requirements Map

Burkina Faso: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • A passenger benefiting from visa exemption must carry a valid passport or another travel document recognized by Burkina Faso. Acceptable documents may include passport, laissez-passer, refugee travel document, and valid regional or community travel documents recognized by the state.
  • The minimum numerical validity period that the passport or travel document must have is not specified definitively in the central official source. The number of blank pages required in the passport, the requirement for a biometric or machine-readable passport, and the criteria for damaged passports are also not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The passenger must be able to present a health or vaccination record document complying with international health regulations. The name of a specific vaccine applicable to all passengers, the issuance date or technical format of the document are not specified definitively on the central visa platform.
  • A return transportation ticket must be presented. If a return ticket is not available, a guarantee for repatriation costs may be required or a document showing exemption from this guarantee may be requested.
  • The passenger must complete, date, and sign the information form provided by the border immigration control officers.
  • For persons traveling as defense or security personnel of a foreign state, a document showing the duty order or the authorization decision to be used in Burkina Faso is additionally required.
  • The maximum duration of visa-free stay, the number of permitted entries, and the travel purposes allowed vary according to the relevant exemption regulation. A single central stay duration applicable to all visa-exempt passengers has not been published.
  • Hotel reservation, bank statement, a specific minimum balance, employment certificate, student certificate, travel health insurance coverage amount, photograph, biometric data, interview, or a list of documents specific to children are not specified definitively in the central official source for visa-exempt passengers. The border authority may request additional explanation or documentation regarding the purpose and conditions of the travel.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • E-Visa application is made through the official online platform. The applicant must create an account, select the relevant visa type, complete the electronic application form, upload the required documents, and pay the visa fee online.
  • For a short-stay e-Visa application, a valid passport, one completed, dated and signed application form provided by the competent authority, and two recent identity photographs are submitted. The photographs must be in color, with a white background, and of dimensions 3.5 x 4.5 centimeters.
  • How many months ago the photographs must have been taken at most, file format, resolution, maximum file size, and other technical specifications for online upload are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • Which pages of the passport need to be scanned, whether the scans should be in color, and the accepted file format are not specified definitively in the central official source. The minimum numerical remaining validity period and number of blank pages of the passport are also not specified.
  • A document proving the purpose of travel must be submitted. For a tourist visa application, hotel reservation is mandatory. For applications made for business, conference, study, training, family visit, or cooperation purposes, a document confirming the selected travel purpose is required. The detailed content of these documents for each category is not definitively specified on the central platform.
  • The applicant must present a medical examination certificate showing that they do not have a contagious disease. Which health institution or doctor should issue the document, its validity period, and the required tests are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • A health insurance document covering the planned stay must be submitted. The minimum coverage amount the insurance must have, coverage items, and accepted insurance companies are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • For applicants who do not have personal financial means or who are additionally requested by the representation, a certificate of care or assumption of expenses from a sponsor in Burkina Faso or proof of sufficient income to cover the stay may be required. How many months the bank statement should cover, the exact documents to be submitted by the sponsor, and the minimum amount to be in the account are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The receipt showing payment of the application fee must be attached to the file. In the online application, payment can be made by bank card. Whether the payment institution will also charge a transaction fee depends on the conditions shown on the payment screen.
  • Short-stay visa fees vary according to the selected travel purpose and number of entries. Tourist visa fee is 33,000 CFA francs for single entry, 55,000 CFA francs for multiple entry. Business visa is 77,000 CFA francs for single entry, 93,500 CFA francs for multiple entry. Conference, study, training or visit visa is 55,000 CFA francs for single entry, 71,500 CFA francs for multiple entry. Cooperation visa is 44,000 CFA francs for single entry. The central platform shows 79,500 CFA francs for a multiple-entry cooperation visa. For urgent travel, the express visa fee is 104,500 CFA francs.
  • The validity of a short-stay visa cannot exceed 90 days. With a single-entry short-stay visa, a maximum of 90 days can be stayed. A multiple-entry short-stay visa allows more than one trip; the total stay cannot exceed 90 days. The exact permitted duration is determined based on the information provided in the application.
  • A short-stay visa can be used for tourism, business, family visit, conference, short training, or similar temporary travel. This visa does not entitle the holder to work in Burkina Faso without prior authorization from the labor authority.
  • After the electronic visa is approved, it is sent to the applicant via email. The passenger must print the approval document and present it during boarding and upon entry into Burkina Faso.
  • The approval document does not mean that the right of entry will be automatically granted at the border. The immigration control officer verifies the authenticity of the document, the passport, and the entry conditions. An entry or exit stamp must be affixed to the passport.
  • At border control, the passenger must be able to present a valid passport or accepted travel document, the e-Visa approval, a health record complying with international health regulations, and a return transportation ticket. If a return ticket is not available, a repatriation guarantee or exemption document may be requested. The immigration control information form must be completed, dated, and signed.
  • No restriction has been published that the e-Visa can only be used at specific airports. The official procedure envisages presenting the document to the immigration control officer at Burkina Faso’s land borders or airports.
  • How far in advance the e-Visa application should be made and the standard processing time are not specified definitively in the central official source. Definitive travel should not be made before the application is concluded.
  • Fingerprints, biometric registration, or mandatory interview are not specified on the central checklist for all e-Visa applicants. The immigration authority may request additional information or documentation during evaluation.
  • There is no central and detailed checklist covering documents such as birth certificate, parental consent form, custody document, or parent passports for minor applicants. For child applications, the specific instructions of the online system and the competent representation should be followed.
  • The requirements for translation, notarization, apostille, or consular legalization of documents are not specified definitively on the central e-Visa pages.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • An application can be made through a Burkina Faso diplomatic or consular representation. The representation officer receives the file and registers the application in the central visa system. The applicant must keep the originals of their documents with them.
  • Applications are generally registered on the official e-Visa platform. The applicant can use the online system directly or obtain support from Burkina Faso’s diplomatic representation abroad regarding application procedures.
  • For a short-stay visa, a valid passport, one completed, dated and signed application form, two recent color photographs with white background of 3.5 x 4.5 centimeters, a document proving the purpose of travel, a medical examination certificate showing no contagious disease, health insurance covering the stay, and a fee payment receipt are submitted.
  • Some diplomatic representations additionally require, for short-stay applications, a document indicating that the sponsor in Burkina Faso assumes the expenses or a document showing that the applicant has sufficient income to cover the stay. The period of bank statements, minimum financial amount, and accepted sponsor documents may vary by representation.
  • For a tourist visa, hotel reservation is required. For business, visit, conference, study, training or cooperation applications, an invitation, assignment, acceptance or registration document confirming the purpose of travel may be requested. The exact content of the documents varies according to the purpose of application and the relevant representation.
  • For a long-stay visa, a valid passport, one completed, dated and signed form, two recent color photographs with white background of 3.5 x 4.5 centimeters, a document proving the purpose of the long stay, a medical examination certificate showing no contagious disease, a care or sponsorship document in Burkina Faso or proof of sufficient income, health insurance covering the stay, and a fee payment receipt are submitted.
  • A long-stay visa is defined as a visa with a validity longer than 90 days. For a multiple-entry long-stay travel visa, the total stay cannot exceed 90 days per six-month period. For long-stay procedures for settlement purposes, a residence permit may also be required.
  • The long-stay business visa fee is 187,000 CFA francs. A long-stay visa for conference, study, training or visit purposes is 110,000 CFA francs, a long-stay visa for cooperation purposes is 77,000 CFA francs.
  • Payment at the representation can be made in cash or by available electronic payment method. Cash payment is made at the counter and a receipt is obtained. When card or electronic wallet is used, the payment institution may additionally charge a transaction fee. The exact payment method varies according to the representation applied to.
  • For an application submitted through a representation, the official platform states that the representation will notify the result approximately 72 hours after the application is submitted. Additional review or request for additional documents may extend this period.
  • If a positive decision is made, the representation gives the applicant a pre-visa in PDF or printed form. The passenger can carry this document in printed form or electronically on their phone or tablet.
  • The pre-visa authorizes travel to Burkina Faso. It must be shown to the immigration control officer at the land border or airport and its authenticity verified. An entry or exit stamp must be affixed to the passport. The pre-visa must be kept until departure from Burkina Faso.
  • When the application should be made at the earliest or latest before travel is not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • The minimum numerical remaining validity period, number of blank pages, biometric passport requirement, conditions for damaged passports, and passport pages for which copies are requested are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • There is no central list applicable to all representations for proof of legal residence in the country of application, national identity card, employment certificate, salary certificate, student certificate, company documents, period of bank statement, fixed minimum balance, detailed travel itinerary, and minimum coverage of health insurance.
  • The applicant must comply with the additional instructions of the relevant representation specific to the country and visa type. The immigration authority may request additional information or documentation through the representation during evaluation.
  • The requirement for fingerprints or mandatory interview is not specified in the central official source for all consular applications. The representation may request a personal interview if deemed necessary.
  • Minor applicants must follow the specific instructions of the relevant representation regarding parental consent form, birth certificate, custody decision, or documents showing family ties. A detailed list applicable to all child applications has not been published in the central official source.
  • The requirements for translation into French, notarization, apostille or legalization of documents are not specified definitively in the central checklist and may vary according to the representation accepting the document.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • A transit visa is issued to foreigners continuing to another country via Burkina Faso. The inability of the means of transport to move due to breakdown or accident, waiting for connecting transport, or another force majeure accepted by the competent authority may form the basis for a transit visa application.
  • The validity period of a transit visa cannot exceed five days.
  • In the application, a valid passport, one completed, dated and signed application form provided by the competent authority, and two recent, color photographs with white background and dimensions 3.5 x 4.5 centimeters are submitted.
  • The applicant must submit documents showing the reason for transit and that they will continue to the next country. These may include a transportation ticket to the final country or other proof of transit. If a visa is required for entry to the final destination country, a copy of a valid visa may be requested.
  • The central visa platform additionally requires a medical examination certificate showing no contagious disease, health insurance covering the transit period, and a fee payment receipt.
  • The transit visa fee is 22,000 CFA francs.
  • The minimum numerical validity period of the passport, number of blank pages, biometric passport condition, date of photograph, and digital technical specifications are not specified definitively in the central official source.
  • How far in advance the transit application should be made and the standard processing time are not specified definitively in the central official source. For applications registered through a diplomatic representation, a notification procedure of approximately 72 hours may apply; additional review may extend this period.
  • There is no detailed central list applicable to all transit applications regarding bank statement period, minimum financial amount, minimum coverage of health insurance, accommodation document, biometric data, interview, and documents specific to children.
  • The positive decision document must be carried in printed or electronic form and presented to the immigration control officer at the land border or airport. The immigration authority may check the authenticity of the document and the conditions for continuing to the final country.
Population
24,601,700(2026 est.)
Official language
National languages are official; French is a working language
Government type
Military-led transitional regime
Continent
Africa
Capital
Ouagadougou
Currency
West African CFA franc
Area
274,200 km²
Phone code
+226

Burkina Faso: Key Destinations

Ouagadougou is the capital and principal international gateway of Burkina Faso. The city serves as the primary arrival point for most visitors, with direct flights connecting to several West African hubs. Bobo-Dioulasso, the second-largest city, is a key cultural and economic center in the southwest.

Burkina Faso offers cultural attractions such as the UNESCO-listed ruins of Loropéni and the vibrant market towns of Banfora. The region around Banfora is known for its waterfalls, including the Cascades de Karfiguéla, and offers insight into traditional rural life.

Travelers often structure itineraries along the road corridor between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. From these cities, excursions to natural sites like the Sindou Peaks or Nazinga Ranch provide a mix of wildlife and landscape exploration.