Burkina Faso eVisa for EU citizens is mandatory before travel, replacing visa-on-arrival in August 2023. A single-entry tourist eVisa costs $143 USD, permits stays up to 90 days, and processes in 3 to 5 business days. Apply via the government portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf. Travellers receive the approved eVisa as a PDF via email, to be presented at immigration in Ouagadougou alongside the mandatory yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Last updated: September 2026. This is an independent information guide, not affiliated with the Government of Burkina Faso. Fees and processing times were verified against the applicant.visaburkina.bf portal. Currency conversions are approximate and may vary by exchange rate.
Do EU Citizens Need a Burkina Faso eVisa in 2026?
All 27 EU member states require a Burkina Faso eVisa for EU citizens since the mandatory system, launched by the Ministère de la Sécurité / Direction Générale de la Police Nationale, replaced visa-on-arrival on 17 August 2023. As of September 2026, the eVisa covers tourism, family visits, and business purposes, with the portal defaulting to Family/Tourism. The standard tourist eVisa is single-entry, valid for stays up to 90 days from the date of issuance. Historical visa-on-arrival fees were 94,000 FCFA (single entry, approximately €143) and 122,000 FCFA (multiple entry, approximately €186).
No European Union country appears on Burkina Faso’s visa-exemption list. Only nationals of the 19 ECOWAS member states and select jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Morocco, and the UAE, may enter without a visa. Diplomatic or official passport holders from Brazil, China, Congo, Cuba, Russia, Taiwan, and Turkey are also visa-exempt.
The Burkina Faso eVisa for EU citizens must be obtained before departure via the government portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf. UK FCDO travel advice currently advises against all travel to Burkina Faso due to terrorism and kidnapping risks; consult the gov.uk travel advice before planning any visit. For the full document checklist, see the Passport and Document Requirements section below.
| EU Member State | Burkina Faso eVisa Required? |
|---|---|
| Austria | Yes |
| Belgium | Yes |
| Bulgaria | Yes |
| Croatia | Yes |
| Cyprus | Yes |
| Czechia | Yes |
| Denmark | Yes |
| Estonia | Yes |
| Finland | Yes |
| France | Yes |
| Germany | Yes |
| Greece | Yes |
| Hungary | Yes |
| Ireland | Yes |
| Italy | Yes |
| Latvia | Yes |
| Lithuania | Yes |
| Luxembourg | Yes |
| Malta | Yes |
| Netherlands | Yes |
| Poland | Yes |
| Portugal | Yes |
| Romania | Yes |
| Slovakia | Yes |
| Slovenia | Yes |
| Spain | Yes |
| Sweden | Yes |
Passport and Document Requirements for EU Citizens
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay, 2 blank pages minimum
- Colour scan of biometric data page and signature page (upload to applicant.visaburkina.bf)
- Proof of accommodation with applicant’s name
- Proof of onward or return travel
- Repatriation insurance: mandatory, must cover full stay period
- Proof of residence if residing outside home country
- Each minor requires a separate application; those travelling alone or with one parent need a copy of the family register
Biometric Photograph Specifications
The Burkina Faso eVisa for EU citizens requires a 35 × 45 mm biometric photo (min. 600 × 750 px), solid white background, face covering 70 to 80%, taken within 6 months, JPEG max 1024 KB. No glasses permitted.
Mandatory Health and Insurance Documents
- Yellow fever vaccination: mandatory, International Certificate of Vaccination required at border
- Repatriation insurance: mandatory, must cover full stay period
Burkina Faso eVisa Fees and Processing Times
| Visa Type | Gov. Fee | ~GBP | ~EUR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Tourist (Single Entry, up to 90 days) | $143 USD | £115 | €130 |
| Business (Single Entry) | €123 | £106 | €123 |
| Business (Multiple Entry) | €148 | £127 | €148 |
| Conference/Studies/Training (Single Entry) | €89 | £77 | €89 |
| Conference/Studies/Training (Multiple Entry) | €115 | £99 | €115 |
| Transit (Single Entry) | €39 | £34 | €39 |
Third-party agencies charge more; VisaHQ totals £400.50 (embassy fee £322.50 + service fee £65.00 + VAT £13.00). The government portal accepts Mastercard; Visa may work but is not confirmed. The government fee is non-refundable, even if the application is rejected.
Processing Timeframes
Standard processing for the Burkina Faso eVisa for EU citizens: 3 to 5 business days, occasionally up to 2 weeks. No expedited processing tier is publicly available. Apply at least one week before travel. Ready to apply? See the Step-by-Step Process section below.
Step-by-Step eVisa Application Process and Embassy Alternatives
Application Steps on the Portal
Fill out the application form
Complete the form on applicant.visaburkina.bf.
Upload documents
Passport scan, 35 × 45 mm biometric photo, accommodation proof, repatriation insurance.
Pay the fee online
Pay the $143 USD fee (Mastercard confirmed).
Receive the approved eVisa PDF
Get it by email within 3 to 5 business days. Present it at immigration in Ouagadougou alongside your yellow fever certificate.
Tip: complete the form in one session; the portal does not save progress. Have all documents scanned and ready before starting. The eVisa is accepted at Ouagadougou International Airport; land border crossings may have different entry requirements, so verify before travel.
eVisa vs Embassy Application for UK Residents
| eVisa (Online) | Embassy (Brussels/Paris) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $143 USD | Variable, often higher |
| Processing | 3 to 5 business days | Variable |
| Convenience | Apply from anywhere | In-person visit required |
| Recommended | Yes | Only if online application fails |
UK residents must apply online or via the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels. The Paris consulate at 112 rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris, France, phone 01.53.86.01.00, fax 01.42.22.63.47, accepts submissions 9h30 to 12h00 and collections 15h30 to 16h30. Website: www.ambaburkina-fr.org. For application issues, contact the Division de la migration at +226 76 40 06 46, +226 68 15 50 07, or [email protected]. Check document requirements above before applying.
Burkina Faso eVisa for EU Citizens: FAQ
Can I get a visa on arrival in Burkina Faso as an EU citizen?
No. Visa-on-arrival was replaced by the mandatory eVisa system on 17 August 2023. All EU citizens must obtain an approved eVisa online via applicant.visaburkina.bf before travel. The standard single-entry tourist eVisa permits stays up to 90 days.
What is the exact cost of a Burkina Faso eVisa for EU citizens?
Standard fee: $143 USD (~£115 / €130) in government fees. Third-party agencies charge more; VisaHQ totals £400.50 including VAT and service fees. Payment on the government portal is accepted via Mastercard.
How long does the eVisa processing take?
Standard processing: 3 to 5 business days, occasionally up to 2 weeks. No expedited tier exists. Apply at least one week before departure.
Is a yellow fever vaccination mandatory for Burkina Faso?
Yes, it is mandatory. Present the physical International Certificate of Vaccination at border control upon arrival.
What are the biometric photo requirements for the eVisa?
35 × 45 mm, min. 600 × 750 px, JPEG max 1024 KB, solid white background, 70 to 80% face coverage, taken within 6 months, no glasses.
Can UK residents apply for a Burkina Faso visa at an embassy?
UK-based EU citizens cannot apply within the UK. Use the Embassy in Brussels or the Paris consulate (submissions 9h30 to 12h00) for in-person applications.
What happens if my eVisa application is rejected?
Submit a new application and pay the fee again. Reapply with correct documents. Contact the Division de la migration at +226 76 40 06 46 for guidance. Overstaying the 90-day maximum may result in fines and regularisation procedures at the immigration office in Ouagadougou.
Can I transit through Burkina Faso without a visa?
No visa for airside transit up to 24 hours with a confirmed onward ticket. A €39 transit eVisa is required if you must pass immigration.
