How to Get a Burkina Faso e-Visa

Ben Johnson

July 14, 2026

Burkina Faso is one of the most rewarding off-the-beaten-track destinations in West Africa, and getting a visa is more straightforward than the online scaremongering suggests. Since August 2023, most nationalities can apply for a Burkina Faso e-Visa entirely online rather than visiting an embassy in person. Here’s how the process actually works, based on the official government portal and real traveller experiences.

Which website do I use to apply?

The only official channel is the government eVisa portal at visaburkina.bf . From there, you’ll be directed to the application platform to register, fill out the form, upload your documents, and pay online. Be cautious of third-party visa agency sites that charge a significant mark-up over the official government fee — they’re not required to get a Burkina Faso e-Visa.

What documents do I need?

You’ll need the following to complete your application:

1. A passport valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates, with at least one blank page
2. A recent passport-style photo with a white background
3. A hotel reservation for your stay (a booking confirmation is usually enough — a formal Letter of Invitation is not required for most tourist applications)
4. Proof of onward or return travel
5. An International Certificate of Vaccination showing yellow fever vaccination, received at least 10 days before arrival — this is mandatory for all travellers entering Burkina Faso, regardless of where you’re arriving from

How much does the e-Visa cost?

The fee depends on which visa category you apply for (single-entry, multiple-entry, and short vs. long stay all carry different prices), and it isn’t published as a single flat number on the official site — you’ll see the exact fee for your specific application once you select a visa type on the portal. As a rough guide, travellers have reported paying anywhere from around €55–105 for standard tourist e-Visas in the past year, while some third-party aggregator sites quote figures well above €120 that appear to bundle in their own service fees. Always confirm the fee shown on the official visaburkina.bf checkout page before paying, and don’t pay a third-party site a premium for something the government portal offers directly.

How long does it take to get approved?

Officially, standard processing is a matter of business days. In practice, several recent travellers have reported their application sitting in “Processing Payment” or “Submitted” status for well over a week with no update, occasionally stretching close to their departure date. Our advice: apply at least three to four weeks before you travel, not the few days that the official processing estimate might suggest, and keep a close eye on your application status and email in the days before your flight.

Which nationalities don’t need a visa at all?

Citizens of the following countries can enter Burkina Faso visa-free: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo and the United Arab Emirates (all for up to 90 days), plus the Central African Republic and Mauritania (also 90 days), and Singapore (30 days). Everyone else will need to apply for a visa in advance or, in some cases, on arrival.

Can Americans or French citizens currently get a Burkina Faso visa?

This is worth checking carefully before you plan a trip, as the situation has changed recently and could change again. As of late December 2025, Burkina Faso suspended visa issuance to U.S. citizens in response to the United States adding Burkina Faso to its own list of travel-restricted countries — the Burkinabè government described it as a reciprocal measure. French nationals have faced their own separate difficulties following a further breakdown in diplomatic relations between Burkina Faso and France in 2026, and currently can only apply through the eVisa portal with no guarantee of approval. If you hold a U.S. or French passport, check directly with the nearest Burkina Faso embassy or the eVisa portal for the current position before booking flights.

Is Burkina Faso safe to travel?

Several Western governments currently advise against travel to parts of Burkina Faso, and the security situation varies significantly by region — some areas of the north and east are considered high-risk, while Ouagadougou and the more commonly visited southern and central areas see a steady flow of travellers without incident. As with anywhere in the Sahel, this is a destination where it pays to travel with a knowledgeable local guide, stay updated on the current situation, and avoid independent travel to border regions. This is exactly the kind of destination a guided group tour is suited to.

Do we offer Burkina Faso tours?

Yes — Burkina Faso is one of our West Africa destinations. You can see our current Burkina Faso tours for itineraries and dates, and our Burkina Faso travel guide for more on what to expect on the ground.

How can I book a tour?

Send us an email at [email protected] and we’ll help you find the right Burkina Faso tour for your dates and interests.