Burkina Faso business visa

The business visa is compulsory for people coming to Burkina Faso for business meetings, trade, agribusiness, industry, mining, logistics and transport, investment or any lucrative activity. Visitors on tourist visas may not carry out these activities, and a short-stay visa does not give the right to take a job without prior authorisation from the minister in charge of labour.

A long-stay visa is valid for more than 90 days. When it is issued for multiple entries it counts as a circulation visa, and the total of the stays may not exceed 90 days per semester. Long-stay applicants must also show a certificate of financial support in Burkina Faso or proof of sufficient income for the whole stay.

Besides the passport, signed application form, 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo, medical certificate, health insurance and stamp duty receipt required for every visa, a business visa application must include proof of the field of activity. Entry also requires a health booklet and a return ticket or repatriation deposit.

According to the French-language fee table, the short-stay business visa costs XOF 99,000 for a single entry and XOF 132,500 for multiple entries, and the long-stay business visa XOF 231,000. An exceptional long-stay visa of one to five years is listed at XOF 110,000. The English version of the site still shows earlier, lower amounts. Cash payment at an embassy or the migration service costs only the fee; card or e-wallet payment adds a transaction charge.

Apply online or at an embassy; the pre-visa is issued about 72 hours later and is checked on entry and exit. For long stays, the migration service issues a visa in the passport when you renew on site within the seven clear days before expiry, or a residence permit if you applied for a resident long-stay visa.