Embassy
Embassy of the United States in Burkina Faso
Avenue Sembène Ousmane, Rue 15.873
Burkina Faso visa requirements for American citizens
Burkina Faso is not letting in american citizens at the moment.
Passport
USA
United States
Going to
BFA
Burkina Faso
Not allowed to enter
Entry is closed to this passport.
- Visa
- Not allowed
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for American citizens in Burkina Faso
US citizens cannot enter or transit through Burkina Faso
- Transit is banned even if you stay aboard the same flight.
What to do
Burkina Faso is not admitting travellers on this passport. Check the official government source for exceptions.
Ways into Burkina Faso
Some visitors need no visa. Others apply online before travel.
eVisaTourist eVisaApply online for a tourist trip or festival visit of up to 90 days.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- F CFA 66,000
How to apply
- Fill in the form on the official visa website.
- Send your documents.
- Pay any fee and wait for approval.
- Carry your approved visa when you travel.
Documents required
- Valid passport
- Dated and signed application
- Colour photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm
- White photo background
- Proof of visit purpose
- Medical proof: no contagious disease
- Health insurance for your stay
- Payment receipt, if needed bare descriptions
- Hotel booking
- Travel insurance
- Single or multiple entries; your approval sets your stay, up to 90 days.
- Book at least 3 hotel nights; festival visitors also need an invitation.
eVisaExpress tourist or visit eVisaThis option offers faster handling for short visits, but the stated times conflict.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- F CFA 247,500
- Entries
- Single
How to apply
- Choose the express option on the official visa website.
- Send documents for your visit purpose.
- Pay the fee and wait for approval.
Documents required
- Passport
- Signed application
- Colour photo, 3.5 × 4.5 cm
- White photo background
- Proof of visit purpose
- Medical certificate
- Health insurance
- Payment receipt
- Travel insurance
- The page gives both 3 days and under 2 days; no clear deadline.
- Your approval sets your stay, up to 90 days.
Visa requiredEmbassy visa helpAn embassy can help with an electronic visa if it accepts your application.
- Fee
- Extra payment fees may apply
- Processing
- 5 days
How to apply
- Check that the embassy accepts your application.
- Give the embassy your original documents and completed form.
- Pay the fee and keep your receipt.
- Collect and print your approved visa.
- Show it at entry; keep it until you leave.
Documents required
- Passport and copy
- Dated and signed application
- Photo
- Proof of visit purpose
- Vaccination booklet copy
- Documents for your visa type
- Allow at least 5 working days; check with the embassy.
- The general embassy process states a response after 3 days; check with your embassy.
- Your visa type sets the fee, stay, validity and number of entries.
Sources (21)Last updated 11 November 2026
- Ministry of Security / National Police Migration Division: official visa service
- Official Burkina Faso electronic visa application portal
- Migration Division: short-stay classes, requirements and tariffs
- Migration Division: transit visa
- Migration Division: long-validity visas
- Migration Division: residence permit
- Migration Division: border-entry conditions
- Migration Division: embassy application procedure
- Migration Division: page titled online applications, containing embassy instructions
- Migration Division: electronic visa explanation
- National Police: undated visa guidance conflicting with newer advance-application rules
- Official aeronautical information publication: Burkina Faso entry, transit and visa exemptions, effective 22 January 2026
- Ministry of Security / Border Police: electronic travel-information form
- Government Information Service: visa-fee waiver for African nationals
- Foreign ministry announcement reproduced by the Government Information Service: Italian official-passport exemption
- Burkina Faso Embassy in New Delhi: visa page
- Foreign ministry embassy network: Washington visa page
- Burkina Faso Embassy in Washington: consular visa guidance
- Burkina Faso Embassy in Brussels: visa requirements
- UK government: Burkina Faso entry requirements and application arrangements for UK residents
- United States Department of State: Burkina Faso entry requirements and American visa suspension
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Coming from United States
- Plugs C EAdapter needed
- MoneyXOF Fr
- Time+12h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageFrench
- Emergency17 police112 ambulance
Planning your Burkina Faso trip
- LaongoLocal and international artists have turned scattered granite rocks into sculptures.
- Sindou PeaksWind erosion has shaped these rocks into narrow, unusual peaks.
- Bobo-Dioulasso mud mosqueExplore a mud mosque with a local guide.
- Bani mosquesBani, near Dori on the road to Ouagadougou, has elaborate mosques.
Scams to watch for in Burkina Faso
- Inflated taxi faresDrivers may ask tourists for much more than the usual fare. In Ouagadougou, taxis have no meters, so the price must be agreed before boarding. Shared and private rides have different prices. Distance, luggage and late hours can also raise the fare.
- Overpriced tourist goodsVisitors may attract frequent sales approaches for tourist items or goods sold at inflated prices.
- Market touts and con artistsThe market has many touts and con artists. No specific story or payment trick is described, so do not assume that an approach is trustworthy simply because the person seems helpful.
About Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso is a landlocked West African country bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo and Ghana.
- Capital
- Ouagadougou
- Money
- West African CFA franc (Fr)
- Languages
- French
- Time zone
- UTC
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +226
Other Americas passports
Going to Burkina Faso
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Burkina Faso with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Is entry to Burkina Faso restricted for American citizens?
American citizens cannot enter or transit through Burkina Faso, even if they stay on the aircraft and continue on the same flight. Entry and transit are refused to United States nationals, even if they remain on the aircraft and continue on the same flight.
Do american citizens need a visa for Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is not letting in american citizens at the moment.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help american citizens enter Burkina Faso?
We have no record of Burkina Faso relaxing its rules for american citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do burkinabe citizens need a visa for the United States?
Burkinabe citizens need a visa for the United States, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to Burkina Faso?
Paraguay and Venezuela can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Burkina Faso are easier for american citizens?
Cape Verde, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau Sierra Leone, and 3 more let american citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Burkina Faso?
Burkina Faso is not admitting travellers on this passport. Check the official government source for exceptions.
What money is used in Burkina Faso?
West African CFA franc (Fr). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Burkina Faso?
French.
How strong is the United States passport?
It ranks #12 and reaches 150 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck