Burkina Faso Visitor Visa

All About the Visa for Burkina Faso

Curious to visit this West African country? If so, it’s important you read up on the ins and outs of the entry policies and what documents you may need to acquire, before you pack your bags and set off.

There are 3 different entry policies for those wishing to visit Burkina Faso. Depending on your nationality, you will fall under one of the following categories:

• Visa-free
• Visa on Arrival (VoA)
• Standard embassy visa

The citizens of neighbouring West African countries, such as Mali, Niger and Ghana, can visit without requiring prior authorisation.

Meanwhile, 54 nationalities including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and most of Europe are eligible to receive a Visa on Arrival (VoA).

On the other hand, if your nationality doesn’t fall into the first 2 categories, you will need to get a standard embassy visa prior to travelling to this African country. On this page, we will explain all the processes, requirements and costs of getting a travel document to the land of the otherworldly Sindou Peaks and the magnificent Tiébélé Cour Royale. Read on!

What Is the Difference Between Visa Exemption Vs a Visa on Arrival Vs a Standard Travel Visa?

First of all, we should mention that the 18 visa-exempt countries can visit for between 30 and 90 days, depending on your nationality. If you intend to stay longer than the period granted or if you are travelling for purposes other than tourism, such as to work or study, then you will need to get a visa.

On the other hand, the VoA is valid for stays of up to 1 month for Single Entry or 3 months for Multiple Entry permits. If you are planning to visit regularly over an extended period of time, you can also request a 5-year Multiple Entry pass. The VoA is granted directly upon arrival in the country, so it’s easy-peasy!

In the case of a standard embassy visa, you will need to obtain this from a Burkina Faso embassy or consulate before you travel. Just like the VoA, you will also have the option to choose between a Single or Multiple Entry permit.

Burkina Faso Visa Application Process

In this section, we will outline the process you must follow to obtain entry into the country for the different types of visa. Be sure to check the ‘Requirements and Eligibility’ section below to find out which policies apply to your nationality.

Visa on Arrival

If you are eligible for a VoA, you’re in luck! The process to obtain this document is super easy, as the document will be issued directly at your point of entry into the country. All you need to do is make sure your passport has at least 2 blank pages for stamps and 6 months validity on it from the time of your arrival.

Standard Embassy Visa

The process to obtain a standard travel document is a little more complicated, as you will need to apply at your nearest embassy or consulate before you travel. Below you will find a list of this African country’s diplomatic missions worldwide, so you can see where the most convenient one for you is located.

Some embassies allow you to send your application in the post, rather than attend an appointment in person. To find out whether this is an option for you, you should contact the embassy directly. Once you know how you will submit your application, you can follow the steps below.

In-person:

• Print and fill out the application form (don’t forget to sign it).
• Prepare all the required documents (see below).
• Book an appointment with the embassy.
• Attend the interview at the embassy.
• Receive your passport with the visa stamped inside.

By post:

• Print and fill out the application form (don’t forget to sign it).
• Prepare all the required documents (see below).
• Post everything to the embassy.
• Wait to receive your passport in the post with the visa stamped inside.

List of the Country’s Diplomatic Mission Locations Worldwide

Africa

Algeria – Algiers
Egypt – Cairo
Ethiopia – Addis Ababa
Gabon – Libreville
Ghana – Accra, Kumasi
Ivory Coast – Abidjan, Bouaké
Libya – Tripoli
Mali – Bamako
Morocco – Rabat
Niger – Niamey
Nigeria – Abuja
Senegal – Dakar
South Africa – Pretoria
Tunisia – Tunis

America

Brazil – Brasilia
Canada – Ottawa
Cuba – Havana
United States – Washington, D.C.

Asia

China – Beijing
India – New Delhi
Japan – Tokyo
Qatar – Doha
Saudi Arabia – Riyadh, Jeddah
Turkey – Ankara

Europe

Austria – Vienna
Belgium – Brussels
Denmark – Copenhagen
France – Paris
Germany – Berlin
Italy – Rome
Russia – Moscow
Switzerland – Geneva

Multilateral Organisations

African Union – Addis Ababa
United Nations – Geneva, New York City

Burkina Faso Visa Requirements and Eligibility

In this section you will be able to easily find out which entry policies apply to your passport. Find your nationality in the lists below to discover what category you fall under.