Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso visa guide: eVisa, business, study, residence and asylum

  • 5 visa types
  • checked 25 October 2026

How visas for Burkina Faso work

Burkina Faso's visas are managed by the Migration Division of the National Police under the Ministry of Security, through the official portal visaburkina.bf. Entry requires a passport or recognised travel document, an entry visa, visa agreement or residence permit unless exempt, an international health record and a return ticket or repatriation deposit.

Applications can be filed online or at a Burkina Faso embassy or consulate. About 72 hours after submission the applicant receives a pre-visa as a PDF, which is shown at boarding and at the port of entry, where the passport is stamped after the pre-visa is authenticated. The pre-visa must be kept until departure.

The official site lists transit (up to five days), short-stay (up to 90 days) and long-stay visas (more than 90 days) and residence permits. Foreigners staying longer than 90 days need a long-stay visa, a residence permit or a residence title; ECOWAS citizens are exempt from the residence permit but must hold a valid consular identity card. Visas are renewed in person at the migration service within the seven clear days before they expire. Asylum claims are registered with the National Refugee Commission (CONAREF).

Which visa do I need?

Tourism or a festival: short-stay tourist visa (XOF 66,000), with at least three nights booked in a Burkinabè hotel or a festival invitation.

Business meetings, trade, mining or investment: business visa, short stay from XOF 99,000 or long stay XOF 231,000.

Conference, studies or training: study and training visa, short stay from XOF 66,000 or long stay XOF 126,500.

Crossing the country: transit visa for 1 to 5 days (XOF 38,000).

Settling: residence permit (family reunion XOF 220,000, business XOF 330,000).

Protection: asylum claim at CONAREF in Ouagadougou or one of its regional offices, free of charge.

Visa types for Burkina Faso

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Business visa (short and long stay)

    Anyone coming to Burkina Faso for business meetings, trade, agribusiness, industry, mining, logistics, investment or any lucrative activity must hold a business visa.

    Maximum stay: Short stay: up to 90 days; long stay: validity over 90 days, multiple-entry stays capped at 90 days per semester

Study and training

  • Student visa Conference, study and training visa (visa conférence / étude / formation)

    Students, trainees and conference or seminar participants travel to Burkina Faso on the conference, study and training visa.

    Maximum stay: Short stay up to 90 days; long stay valid more than 90 days

Residence

  • Residence permit Residence permit (permis de séjour)

    Foreigners staying in Burkina Faso longer than 90 days need a long-stay visa, a residence permit (permis de séjour) or a residence title.

    Validity: Described on the portal as a title valid for more than two years

Online travel permits

  • e-Visa Short-stay visa (eVisa / pre-visa): tourism, family visit, cooperation, express

    Visitors to Burkina Faso apply on visaburkina.bf or at an embassy for a short-stay visa of up to 90 days, issued as an electronic pre-visa about 72 hours later.

    Maximum stay: Up to 90 days, set according to the information given in the application

Asylum and international protection

  • Asylum and international protection Asylum and refugee status (CONAREF)

    Asylum in Burkina Faso is claimed in person at the Permanent Secretariat of the National Refugee Commission (SP-CONAREF), in Ouagadougou or at a regional office.

    Processing time: Variable; CONAREF calls the applicant about 60 days after the eligibility committee hearing

Frequently asked questions

Does Burkina Faso issue eVisas?

Yes. The official portal visaburkina.bf issues an electronic pre-visa that is sent by email and shown on arrival.

How long does a Burkina Faso visa take?

The embassy or migration service communicates the outcome about 72 hours after submission; the express visa is meant for urgent cases.

Can I pay the visa fee in cash?

At embassies and the migration service you can pay in cash against a receipt or by card or e-wallet, which adds a processing fee.

When must I renew my visa?

In person at the migration service, within the seven clear days before the visa expires.

Where do I claim asylum in Burkina Faso?

In person at the Permanent Secretariat of CONAREF in Ouagadougou or at one of its local offices; the procedure is free.

Embassies and consulates

Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.