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
Entry into Burundi
The Irish government currently warns against non-essential foreign travel. There are travel restrictions in place to protect public health and reduce the danger of new COVID-19 strains entering the country. These restrictions are described in detail on the travel section of the gov.ie website.
When deciding whether to travel to Burundi at this time, Irish citizens should consider the possibility of restrictions being imposed during their trip, as well as the potential impact of COVID-19 on local health care systems during their proposed stay. Regardless of vaccination status, all passengers entering or departing Burundi must provide evidence of a negative COVID-19 test conducted within 72 hours of boarding.
Eligibility to apply for an Burundi visa
You will need:
- Passport. You must present your actual, signed passport along with a copy of the page containing your personal information.
- Photographs.
- Form for Visa Application.
- Documentation of Travel Arrangements.
- Vaccination Certificate.
- Travisa Order Form.
- Hotel Verification.
Processing time for Burundi visas
The average processing time for a Burundi Short-term Visa is between ten and fifteen business days.
Who can enter Burundi without a visa?
Currently, only six African nationalities can enter Burundi. These nations are the Republic of the Congo, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda. The Burundi visa policy specifies that citizens of these nations do not need to apply for a visa.
What to do if your Burundi visa is refused?
You have the right to contest this judgment. The embassy of the Member State that opted to deny the visa distributes a standard form to notify the applicant of the decision to deny a Schengen visa and the reasons for the refusal.
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)
Burundian visas — people also ask
In other words, tourists who wish to visit Burundi cannot obtain a visa upon arrival. In addition to other exceptions, diplomatic passports from Turkey, Brazil, China, and Russia are exempt from visa requirements.
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.