Burundi visas
Whether you need a visa for Burundi, and which type, depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Citizens of East African Community (EAC) and CEPGL member states enjoy free regional access, while most other travellers apply online or on arrival for an entry, transit, stay, establishment or study visa. Visas and residence documents are issued by the Commissariat Général des Migrations (CGM), the migration service of the Burundi National Police, through its official portal at migration.gov.bi, with visa policy also published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Burundian visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Burundi — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.4 visas
- Work visasComing to Burundi to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Burundi — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Burundi.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Burundi as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Burundi long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
Burundian visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Burundi — key facts
- Visa authority
- Commissariat Général des Migrations (CGM) — Police de l'Air, des Frontières et des Étrangers (PAFE)
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Burundian Franc (BIF)
- Time zone
- Central Africa Time (CAT, UTC+2)
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.