Burkina Faso residence permit

Any foreigner wishing to stay in Burkina Faso for more than 90 days must hold a long-stay visa, a residence permit or a residence title. ECOWAS nationals are exempt from the residence permit but must carry a valid consular identity card. Members of accredited diplomatic and consular missions and international organisations, and their families, receive a residence title from the minister of foreign affairs instead. Asylum seekers holding an "A qui de droit" certificate and refugees with a refugee identity card are not subject to this rule.

The official portal lists two residence permit categories with fees: family reunion (XOF 220,000) and business (XOF 330,000). Before applying you enter Burkina Faso on a long-stay visa, for example a business visa (XOF 231,000), a study and training visa (XOF 126,500), a family visit visa (XOF 110,000) or a cooperation visa (XOF 137,500).

The long-stay visa that leads to the permit requires a valid passport, the signed application form, a 3.5 x 4.5 cm colour photo, proof of the reason for the long stay, a medical certificate showing no contagious disease, a certificate of financial support in Burkina Faso or proof of sufficient income for the stay, health insurance covering the stay and the stamp duty receipt.

Residence permits are handled in person at the migration service in Ouagadougou (Migration Division, avenue de l’Indépendance). Bring original documents and pay in cash to the treasurer against a receipt or by card with a transaction fee. If you applied for a resident long-stay visa, the migration service issues the residence permit on site; renewals of visas are filed within the seven clear days before expiry.

A foreigner lawfully residing in Burkina Faso who changes address must first declare it to the police migration service, at least 72 hours before moving, and receives a receipt of the declaration. Minors leaving the country without both parents need a signed exit authorisation from the parent or parents holding parental authority.