Burkina Faso Visa
Do you need a visa to visit Burkina Faso? Find your nearest Burkina Faso Embassy.
Visit Embassy WebsiteAs of 2025, most visitors to Burkina Faso require a visa. However, specific exemptions apply to nationals of neighbouring countries and certain diplomatic categories. Visa-on-arrival options are available for many travellers, while others must obtain a visa in advance. For UK residents, visa applications must be made through the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels, as there is no Burkinabe consular visa service within the UK.
Travellers are advised to have all required travel arrangements and documentation in place prior to application. Entry requirements remain subject to change, and applicants should consult the most recent government advisories before travelling.
Eligibility to Apply for a Burkina Faso Visa
To qualify for a Burkina Faso visa, applicants must provide the following documentation:
- Original signed passport (with at least six months validity and one blank page)
- Completed visa application form
- Recent passport-sized photograph
- Travel itinerary or return ticket
- Copy of the personal information page of the passport
- Proof of accommodation or invitation letter (if applicable)
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate
Visa Central or embassy-specific order form, if applying via a third-party service
For more information on visas to Burkina Faso, you can visit their Embassy page.
Visit Embassy WebsiteWho Needs a Visa to Visit Burkina Faso?
All foreign nationals require a visa to enter Burkina Faso unless they are from one of the visa-exempt countries listed below.
Visa-Exempt Countries
The following 18 countries are exempt from visa requirements for entry into Burkina Faso:
| Benin | Cape Verde | Central African Republic (up to 90 days) |
| Côte d’Ivoire | The Gambia | Ghana |
| Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Liberia |
| Mali | Mauritania (up to 90 days) | Niger |
| Nigeria | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
| Singapore (up to 30 days) | Togo | United Arab Emirates |
Entry into Burkina Faso
The following travel and border restrictions currently apply for entry into Burkina Faso:
International flights are limited at Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso airports — confirm availability with your airline
Land borders remain closed until further notice due to ongoing regional instability
Travel to areas outside Ouagadougou is strongly discouraged due to security risks
Travellers should check updated guidance from their airline, tour operator, or embassy before departure
Visa Processing Time
Processing timelines for Burkina Faso visas vary by method of application:
- Standard embassy-issued visas: Approximately 3 business days, though this may extend to several weeks depending on volume or special circumstances
- Visa on Arrival (VoA): Issued immediately at the point of entry, provided eligibility requirements are met
- Applicants requiring an embassy visa should apply at least three weeks before departure
Appointment Waiting Times
Visa appointment wait times vary by consulate and are subject to staffing levels and local demand. For UK residents:
- Visa applications cannot be submitted in the UK
- All UK-based applicants must apply through the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels
- Potential online applications may be available via the embassy’s website
- Appointment availability is not guaranteed and should be secured well in advance
Who Can Visit Burkina Faso Without a Visa?
As outlined above, citizens of the following countries are visa-exempt:
| Benin | Cape Verde | Central African Republic (90 days) |
| Côte d’Ivoire | The Gambia | Ghana |
| Guinea | Guinea-Bissau | Liberia |
| Mali | Mauritania (90 days) | Niger |
| Nigeria | Senegal | Sierra Leone |
| Singapore (30 days) | Togo | United Arab Emirates |
Travellers holding diplomatic, official, or special passports from specified countries are also exempt.
For detailed information on specific parts of the general visa process, you can refer to the links below to find the answer to your query. If you are unable to find any particular information, please contact us via email.
| What is a Visa? |
| What kind of visa do I need? |
| Do I need more than one visa? |
| How long is a visa valid for? |
| When do I need my visa? |
| What if my visa is refused? |
Burkina Faso Visa Types
There are six visa types issued by Burkina Faso based on the purpose of travel:
- Short-Stay Visa
- For tourism, private visits, or short business stays
- Generally valid for stays up to 90 days
- Transit Visa
- For travellers passing through Burkina Faso en route to another destination
- Requires confirmed onward travel documentation
- Long-Stay Visa
- For extended stays beyond 90 days
- Typically used for work, study, or residency purposes
- Business Visa
- For commercial activities and professional engagements
- May require a letter of invitation from a host company in Burkina Faso
- Group/Cooperation Visa
- Issued for delegations, teams, or formal cooperation missions
- Visa on Arrival (VoA)
- Available for eligible nationalities (see above)
- Not available to all; travellers must verify eligibility before travel
What to Do if Your Burkina Faso Visa Is Refused
If your visa application is denied:
- The embassy or consulate will issue a formal notification stating the reasons for refusal
- Applicants have the right to contest the decision by submitting a formal appeal to the issuing mission
- If reapplying, the applicant must submit a new visa application, including all supporting documents and applicable fees
Common reasons for refusal include:
- Incomplete or incorrect documentation
- Insufficient travel funds or unclear purpose of visit
- Failure to comply with health or vaccination requirements
There is no guarantee of visa approval. Final decisions are made solely at the discretion of the immigration or consular authority.
Actionable Instruction:
If you are not visa-exempt and do not qualify for a visa on arrival, submit your application at least 3 weeks in advance. UK residents must apply via the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels. Ensure you carry a valid yellow fever certificate. Check with your airline or tour operator to confirm current entry logistics and health protocols.