Known as the ‘Heart of Africa,’ the Republic of Burundi is an amazing African country you need to put on your visit list if you are looking for new places to see. However, before visiting the country, you might need to apply for a Burundi visa to enter the country.
Here you will find information regarding the type of visa you need, the requirements, and the duration of your Burundi visa.
Who Needs a Visa for Burundi?
Citizens of the following countries do not need a visa to enter and visit Burundi country for up to three months:
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- South Sudan
- Tanzania
- Uganda
Everyone else who needs a visa can either apply at the embassy/consulate of Burundi or can apply for a visa on arrival at the Bujumbura International Airport (Melchior Ndadaye).
Other Visa Exemptions
Here are some other foreign citizens that can enter the Burundi country without a visa:
- Holders of diplomatic passports from Turkey may enter the country without a visa.
- Holders of diplomatic and service category passports of Brazil, China, and Russia can enter the country without a visa.
- Holders of a passport for public affairs from China can enter the country without a visa.
Note: Before traveling to Burundi, make sure that you check if you need other additional documents besides a valid passport, even if you do not need a visa to enter the country.
How to Apply for a Burundi Visa?
Follow these steps to apply for a Burundi visa:
- Contact the nearest embassy/consulate of Burundi in your country and book a visa appointment.
- Fill out the Burundi visa application form and sign it at the end.
- Gather all the required documents listed below at ‘Burundi Visa Requirements.’
- Submit the application form and the required documents at the embassy/consulate of Burundi.
- Wait for a response from the embassy/consulate.
Burundi Visa Requirements
Here are all the general Burundi documents you need to submit when applying for a Burundi visa:
- A valid passport. Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the return date. Include a copy of your previous visas, if any, and make sure you have at least two blank pages in your passport.
- Two completed and signed Burundi application forms.
- Two passport-sized photographs of yourself in colors.
- A flight itinerary together with a return flight ticket.
- The yellow fever vaccination card.
- An accommodation proof document such as a hotel reservation, a rental agreement, a letter of invitation, etc.
- A bank statement document. This document must prove that you are financially stable and can financially support yourself in Burundi.
- Proof of your visa fee payment. Make sure you attach the visa fee payment receipt to your Burundi visa application form.
- A health insurance and a medical certification. Make sure that the health cover plan you take, it will cover your whole stay in Burundi.
- Proof of clean criminal record. The authorization of your home country must issue the criminal record document, proving that you have a clean criminal record.
Note: The embassy or consulate of Burundi can request other additional documents, depending on the type of visa you are applying for.
Processing Time of a Burundi Visa
The processing time of a Burundi visa is within 15 working days. However, the processing time depends on several factors, such as:
- The time you submit the documents.
- In your case.
- If you have any missing documents or any information you have provided is false.
Depending on the factors mentioned above, make sure you submit your visa application at least a month before your planned traveling date.
Duration of a Burundi Visa
The duration of a Burundi visa is three months. Foreigners who wish to stay longer than three months in the country must apply for a Burundi residence permit.
Burundi Visa Fees
When applying for a Burundi visa, there is a fee payment you need to pay to the embassy of Burundi. The fee depends on the type of visa you are applying for:
- Single entry visa $70.
- Multiple entries visa $90.
- Transit visa $40.
Make sure you contact the embassy of Burundi regarding your visa fee payment since it depends on several factors, such as:
- The country you apply from.
- Your age.
- The type of visa you apply for.
Burundi Visa Types
There are two types of Burundi visas:
- Short-stay tourist visa.
- Business Visa.
Short-Stay Tourist Visa
A short-stay visa is issued to foreigners who want to visit the country for different reasons such as:
- Tourism.
- Medical controls.
- Business meetings.
- Family visits.
The short-stay Burundi visa is issued as single or multiple entry visas.
Business Visa
Foreigners who need to enter the country for business purposes and business meetings must apply for a Burundi business visa.
Long-Stay Visas for Burundi
The Republic of Burundi does not generally have long-stay visas. If you want to stay longer than three months in the country, you can either apply for a residence permit or enter the country with a short-stay tourist visa and then apply for an extension or a residence permit.
Note: Contact the embassy or consulate of Burundi for further information regarding the Burundi long-stay visa.
Why Should You Visit Burundi?
Find some interesting reasons below why you should visit The Republic of Burundi:
- Burundi is one of the most populated countries in Africa after Mauritius and Rwanda.
- Burundi is very poor and underdeveloped. Most of the population of Burundi lives in villages.
- The Republic of Burundi is known for being the oldest country in Africa.
- Media is restricted in the country.
- The country is known for being dominated by state-run outlets.
- The country is home to one of the longest freshwater lakes in the world.
- Burundi has two capital cities.
- The banana beer was created in Burundi.
- Vénuste Niyongabo was the first person in Burundi who won an Olympic medal in 1996.
- The country is known for having wildlife-rich national parks, friendly people, amazing culture, and delicious food.