Question 1

Do I need to provide passport-style photo?

Accepted Answer

One recent colour photo on a white background, 3.5 x 4.5 cm. The portal's current French page asks for one photo; an older English version of the page (last edited March 2025) says two, so check the portal when you apply.

Question 2

Do I need to provide valid passport?

Accepted Answer

A passport that is currently valid. The portal does not say how much validity it must have left.

Question 3

Do I need to provide visa application form?

Accepted Answer

One application form supplied by the visa authority, fully filled in, dated and signed.

Question 4

Do I need to provide stamp duty payment receipt?

Accepted Answer

The receipt showing you paid the stamp duty (droits de timbre). The visa pages do not say how much it is.

Question 5

Do I need to provide visa fee?

Accepted Answer

On the portal's French page (last edited 22 October 2025) the tourism visa costs 66,000 F CFA, for one entry or for multiple entries. An express visa, for people who want faster handling, costs 247,500 F CFA. Other visa types (business, conference/study/training, family visit, cooperation) have their own prices. An older English version of the page shows lower prices, so check the amount when you apply.

Question 6

Do I need to provide visa fee for nationals of african countries?

Accepted Answer

On 11 September 2025 the Council of Ministers adopted a measure making visas free of charge for nationals of African countries. The Minister of Security said that from now on any African national going to Burkina Faso pays no visa fee, and that free of charge does not mean exempt from the visa. The portal's price table does not mention this, and the summary does not say whether other charges (such as stamp duty) are affected, so check the amount when you apply.

Question 7

Do I need to provide proof of the reason for your stay?

Accepted Answer

A document showing why you are visiting Burkina Faso. The portal does not give examples for tourism beyond the extra documents in the next item.

Question 8

Do I need to provide extra documents for the tourism visa?

Accepted Answer

For the tourism visa the portal lists these extra documents as mandatory: a certificate of a hotel booking in Burkina Faso for at least three nights and, if you are coming for a festival, an invitation to the festival.

Question 9

Do I need to provide health insurance certificate?

Accepted Answer

A health insurance certificate covering the period of your stay.

Question 10

Do I need to provide apply on the government's e-visa portal?

Accepted Answer

Apply through visaburkina.bf: fill in the application, pay online, receive the decision, then travel. The portal also describes applying through a Burkinabe embassy or consulate (see below).

Question 11

Do I need to provide arrival information sheet?

Accepted Answer

At the border you must fill in, date and sign an information sheet provided by the migration control officers.

Question 12

Do I need to provide entry visa (unless your nationality is exempt)?

Accepted Answer

Burkina Faso's official visa portal says every foreigner must show an entry visa (or a visa agreement, or a residence permit or title) to the border migration officers, unless exempted. The portal does not publish a list of who is exempted, so this page cannot tell you whether you are. If you think you might be, confirm it with a Burkinabe embassy or consulate before you travel. The rest of this checklist is for travellers who need a visa.

Question 13

Do I need to provide if you apply through an embassy or consulate?

Accepted Answer

Bring your original documents. An embassy officer registers your application and you pay either in cash against a receipt or electronically (electronic payment adds a processing fee charged by the payment operator). About 72 hours later the embassy tells you the result from Burkina Faso's migration service, and may pass on requests for extra information. If the answer is favourable you get a PDF or printout, called a pre-visa, that authorises you to travel: carry it (printed or on your phone), show it at the border, and keep it until you leave, because officers check it again when you exit.

Question 14

Do I need to provide return ticket or repatriation deposit?

Accepted Answer

At the border you must show a return transport ticket, or a repatriation deposit, or proof that you are exempt from the deposit.

Question 15

Do I need to provide short-stay visa?

Accepted Answer

The short-stay visa is for tourism, business or a family visit. Its validity cannot exceed 90 days. It can be issued for one entry or for several, and the length of your stay is set from the information in your application. It does not let you work in Burkina Faso without prior authorisation from the minister in charge of labour.

Question 16

Do I need to provide your approved visa, printed?

Accepted Answer

The portal's FAQ says the electronic visa is emailed to you after ministerial approval, and you must print it and show it when you board and when you arrive in Burkina Faso.

Question 17

Do I need to provide health record (international health regulations)?

Accepted Answer

At the border you must show a health record (carnet de santé) that meets the international health regulations. The portal does not say which vaccinations it expects.

Question 18

Do I need to provide medical certificate?

Accepted Answer

A medical examination certificate stating that you do not have a contagious disease. The portal does not say who must issue it or how recent it must be.

Question 19

Do I need to provide staying longer than 90 days?

Accepted Answer

This checklist is for stays of up to 90 days. To stay longer than 90 days you must hold a long-stay visa, a residence permit or a residence title. The portal also says nationals of ECOWAS member countries are exempt from the residence permit (they must hold a valid consular identity card); that is about residence permits, not a visa waiver for entering the country.

Malawi → Burkina Faso: Short-stay tourist

Required documents

Identity

Financial

Purpose of travel

Accommodation

Insurance

Travel

Other

Why applications on this route get refused

Sources