Embassy
Embassy of South Africa in Burkina Faso
Avenue Pascal Zagré, Villa No 149, Rue de Badnogo
Burkina Faso visa requirements for South African citizens
South African citizens need an eVisa for Burkina Faso. Apply on the official website.
Passport
ZAF
South Africa
Going to
BFA
Burkina Faso
eVisa
Apply online for a tourist trip or festival visit of up to 90 days.
- Visa
- eVisa
- Valid for
- 90 days
- Fee
- F CFA 66,000
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
Special rules for South African citizens in Burkina Faso
Visa needed before travel to Burkina Faso
- South African passport holders need a visa before arrival.
- You can get an eVisa.
- You also need a visa for airport transit.
What to do
Apply on Burkina Faso's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo.
Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
Enter on the dates and through the ports the eVisa allows.
Get your Burkina Faso visa sorted
A visa expert checks the rules and helps you apply. No payment now.
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
- 3 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
- 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 South Africa
- Plugs C EAdapter for some
- MoneyXOF Fr
- Time−2h
- DrivingOn the rightLook left first
- 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 Africa passports
Going to Burkina Faso
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Burkina Faso with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Are there special rules for South African citizens visiting Burkina Faso?
South African passport holders need a visa before arrival, including for transit. An eVisa is available.
Do south african citizens need a visa for Burkina Faso?
South African citizens need an eVisa for Burkina Faso. Apply on the official website.
Where do I apply online for Burkina Faso?
Only on Burkina Faso's official government website. Avoid agents and look-alike sites that add fees. Apply before you book anything you can't cancel.
Does a US, UK or Schengen visa help south african citizens enter Burkina Faso?
We have no record of Burkina Faso relaxing its rules for south african citizens who hold another country's visa. Check with the embassy before you rely on one.
Do burkinabe citizens need a visa for South Africa?
Burkinabe citizens need a visa for South Africa, from its embassy or consulate.
Do other Africa passports get easier entry to Burkina Faso?
Benin, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Gambia Ghana, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Burkina Faso are easier for south african citizens?
Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Cape Verde Guinea-Bissau, and 3 more let south african citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Burkina Faso?
Apply on Burkina Faso's official eVisa portal with a scan of your passport and a photo. Leave time for processing before you travel, and print the approval.
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 South Africa passport?
It ranks #51 and reaches 91 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck