Visa policy of Burundi


All visitors to Burundi, unless they come from one of the visa-exempt countries mentioned below, must obtain a visa from one of the Burundian diplomatic missions before entering the country. Until 30 April 2015 citizens of all countries entering Burundi through Bujumbura International Airport were able to apply for a visa upon arrival. However, they were then required to obtain a visa in advance. In October 2015 it was announced that the visa on arrival for 3 months at Bujumbura airport would again be available to foreign visitors. An Entry Authorisation letter issued by the authorities of Burundi is now required to obtain a visa on arrival.

Visa policy map

Visa exemption

Citizens of the following 6 countries can visit Burundi without a visa for up to 3 months:
1 – Also for Economic Community of the Great Lakes Countries laissez-passer holders.
Holders of diplomatic passports of Turkey and diplomatic and service category passports of Brazil, China and Russia do not require a visa.
Holders of passports for public affairs of China do not require a visa.
A visa waiver memorandum was signed with the United Arab Emirates in January 2019 but it is not yet in force.

Visa on arrival

Passengers with a diplomatic passport can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 30 days.
Passengers with an Entry Authorisation letter issued by the authorities of Burundi before departure can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 1 month.
Nationals of Comoros, Congo DR, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Sudan, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe with a passport issued by COMESA can obtain a visa on arrival. They must be traveling on duty.

Transit

Passengers with a confirmed onward ticket for a flight to a third country. They must stay in the international transit area of the airport and have documents required for the next destination.