Burundi Visa Requirements

Burundi is one of the few countries with strict visa policies. Thus, most people who wish to visit the country must apply for an entry permit. In other words, if you are not from a visa-free state, you must meet the Burundi visa requirements before you enter the nation.

Moreover, only a few countries also qualify for a Burundi visa on arrival.

Find out whether you need a visa to visit Burundi to experience the beautiful nation lying on the African continent. In addition, discover the type of Burundi visa you need. Plus, the requirements to enter the country.

Burundi Visa policy

Definitely, you will need a visa to visit Burundi unless you are from a visa-exempt country. Moreover, even if you are from a visa-free nation, you may still need some documents to enter Burundi.

In addition to the visa-free countries, citizens of a few countries can apply for a Burundi visa on arrival. Thus, they will bring all the documents they need for a Burundi entry permit to the airport.

On the contrary, if you do not qualify for a Burundi visa on arrival, you must apply for an entry permit to visit Burundi from a Buiriundian embassy abroad.

Burundi visa-free countries

Citizens of the following countries can visit Burundi without a visa for three months. They include:

Democratic Republic of Congo1
Kenya
Rwanda
South Sudan
Tanzania
Uganda

Burundi visa on arrival

Citizens of all countries who need an entry permit to enter Burundi can apply for a Burundi visa on arrival once they meet the Burundi visa requirements.

Who needs a Burundi visa?

Citizens of the following countries must apply for a Burundi visa to visit the country. Otherwise, they can apply for an entry permit at Bujumbura International Airport (Melchior Ndadaye). They include:

Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Andorra
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cambodia
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Central Africa Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Colombia
Comores Islands
Congo (Rep.)
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Djibouti
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Egypt
El Salvador
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Estonia
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Fiji
Finland
France
Gabon
The Gambia
Georgia
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Guyana
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kosovo
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Madagascar
Malawi
Malaysia
Maldives
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mauritania
Mauritius
Mexico
Micronesia
Moldova
Mongolia
Monaco
Morocco
Montenegro
Mozambique
Myanmar
Namibia
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
Nicaragua
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Nigeria
North Korea
North Macedonia
Netherlands
Oman
Pakistan
Palau Islands
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Samoa
San Marino
Sao Tome and Principe
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Serbia
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
Somalia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Lucia
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sudan
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor-Leste
Togo
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Types of Burundi visa

The type of visa you need to visit Burundi depends on the purpose and duration of your stay in the country. Thus, you can apply for the following permits to enter the country. They include:

#1. Tourist visa

It is for foreigners who wish to visit Burundi for tourism and short-term purpose. It allows them to stay in the country for up to 30 days.

#2. Business visa

Foreigners who want to visit Burundi to conduct business need this visa. It allows them to attend meetings, conferences and other for business-related events in Burundi.

#3. Residence visa

It allows foreigners to stay in Burundi for studies and work. Sometimes, you can get a two-year residence permit.

#4. Permanence Residence visa

A foreigner who acquires a Burundi Permanent Residence Permit can live and work in the country for up to five years.

#5. Transit visa

Foreigners who want to use a connecting flight from Burundi to their destination country must apply for a Burundi transit Visa. It allows them to stay in the country for up to three days. Thus, they can board a flight from Burundi to another state.

All applicants for a Burundi visa must meet the following requirements. They include:

General Burundi visa requirements

You must provide the following documents before you can obtain a Burundi permit. They include:

Valid Passport. It must have a validity period of at least six months. Plus, it must be in good condition.
Two passport photos
Business Cover Letter
Letter of Invitation
Two visa application forms
Travel itinerary
Yellow Fever vaccination
Proof of accommodation

Specific Burundi visa requirements

In addition to the documents above, applicants for different types of Burundi permits must prove the requirements below, depending on the permit they need. They include:

Tourist visa

Entry authorization
Valid travel document
A passport photo

Business visa

Entry authorization
Valid travel document
A passport photo
Address of your company in Burundi

Transit Visa

Valid travel document
A landing card

Residence visa

Valid travel document
A copy of the entry visa
Passport photo
A minimum 2-year employment contract
A passport photo

2-year settlement visa

Valid travel document
A passport photo
Work contract of 2 years or more
A letter of motivation to the General Commissioner for Migration
A duly completed applicant identification form

Permanent Resident Visa

Valid travel document
A passport photo
A work contract of 2 years or more
A 2-year settlement visa
A letter of motivation
Applicant identification form
Proof of profession in Burundi

Steps to apply for a Burundi entry permit

Perhaps you meet the Burundi visa requirements. You will apply for an entry permit to visit the country using the sites below. They include:

#Step one: Contact the Burundian embassy in your country of origin

The first step to acquiring a Burundi entry permit is to contact the Burundian diplomatic mission in your country of origin. However, if there is no Burundian embassy around you, you can find a Burundian embassy in another nation. For instance, there is only one Burundian embassy in Europe. It is in Belgium.

#Step two: Collect all the Burundi Visa requirements

the second step is to collect all the documents you need to apply for a visa to visit Burundi. You must gather all the requirements. Otherwise, you will not obtain a Burundi entry permit.

#Step three: Submit the application form and other documents

The third step is to submit all the requirements, including a completed and signed application form. You must submit them to the Burundian embassy in your country of origin.

#Step four: Pay the visa fee

The fourth step is to pay the fee for the type of visa you want. The amount depends on the permit you need. Therefore, you have to make inquiries about the payment for it.

#Step five: Wait for the processing.

The fifth step is to wait for the embassy to process your Burundi entry permit. So, once you meet the Burundi visa requirements, the Burundian embassy in your country of origin will process your visa within one month of application.

Also Read: What To Take Into Account When Planning To Visit Burundi

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing time for a Burundi visa?

The processing time for a Burundi entry permit is between three weeks and one month. However, you can apply for about two months before your travel. It will help the officials at the Burundian embassy to verify your application on time.

How much is an entry permit to Burundi?

The processing fee for a Burundi entry permit depends on the type of visa you want. So, depending on your purpose, you will pay the following fees. They include:

Entry visa: USD 90 for a month
Transit visa: US$D 40 for three days
Residence visa: USD 70 for a month
2-year settlement visa: USD 500
Permanent resident visa: USD 1200

What is the validity period of a visa to visit Burundi?

The validity of a visa in Burundi depends on the type. Applicants for a tourist permit can stay in the country for up to 30 days. Residence permits can last for up to 0ne year.

Where can I apply for a Burundi entry permit?

You can apply for a Burundi permit at the Burundian embassy in your country of origin. You can also obtain a visa on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport (Melchior Ndadaye).

Conclusion

in conclusion, once you meet the Burundi visa requirements, you can obtain a permit to visit the country. However, you must follow the guidelines in their article. Otherwise, it will be difficult for you. Moreover, you will need the information we provided here to obtain your entry permit.

Above all, you must contact the Burundian embassy in your country of origin. You will get information about the visa there, including the documents and the process to apply for a Burundi entry permit.

Burundi Visa Requirements – Application, Types And Documentation