The approved Burkina Faso eVisa is delivered as a PDF file attached to a confirmation email from the Division de la Migration, typically within 2 to 5 working days. UK travellers should carry a printed copy; digital acceptance varies by border post.
The approved PDF contains your full name, passport number, visa validity dates, applicant photo, reference number, and a QR code for verification at the port of entry. The email message itself is a confirmation, not the visa document. A status notification is sent within 72 hours of submission, followed by the full PDF delivery.
Important: This is an independent travel-information website. It is not the government visa portal. The eVisa portal is applicant.visaburkina.bf. We verify details monthly; last audit: 8 September 2026.
Reviewed and updated by the travel-requirements desk on 1 September 2026, based on a live test application submitted on 24 August 2026.
What Is the Burkina Faso eVisa?
The Burkina Faso eVisa, referred to locally as a pre-visa, is an electronic travel authorisation issued by the Division de la Migration under the Ministry of Security. British citizens must obtain it online via applicant.visaburkina.bf, as the Consulate no longer issues in-person visas. Maximum stay is 90 days. The approved eVisa PDF is the travel authorisation, so no embassy visit is needed.
Editor’s note: The approved e-visa is delivered as a PDF attachment. This is not an offline application form. The application is completed and submitted entirely at applicant.visaburkina.bf.
Visa Types at a Glance
| Visa Type | Purpose | Max Stay | Consular Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist (Single Entry) | Tourism, short stay | 1-90 days | €89 |
| Transit (Single Entry) | Transit through Burkina Faso | Up to 90 days | €39 |
| Business (Single Entry) | Business meetings, short stay | 1-90 days | €123 |
| Business (Multiple Entries) | Repeated business visits | 1-90 days | €148 |
| Conference/Studies/Training (Single Entry) | Academic or training purposes | 1-90 days | €89 |
| Conference/Studies/Training (Multiple Entries) | Repeated academic visits | 1-90 days | €115 |
Consular fees and validity periods follow the fee schedule published by the Division de la Migration (Ministry of Security), accessible at applicant.visaburkina.bf (accessed 1 September 2026); fees may change without notice. Before travel, also check UK FCDO travel advice for Burkina Faso: gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burkina-faso.
Required documents include a passport valid at least 6 months beyond exit date with one blank page, a colour photograph measuring 35 mm x 45 mm on a white background, and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
How the eVisa Is Delivered: PDF Format & Email Delivery
The approved PDF is sent as an email attachment within 2 to 5 working days. The email is a confirmation; the PDF attachment is the visa document.
- Sender: an address linked to the Division de la Migration ([email protected])
- Attachment: a single PDF containing the applicant’s full name, passport number, visa validity dates, photograph, reference number, and QR code for border verification
- Re-download: a copy remains accessible via the applicant portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf after login
- Offline storage: save the PDF to Apple Files, Google Drive, or local device storage before departure
During our 24 August 2026 test application, the status notification arrived in 72 hours and the PDF approval email in 4 working days. The QR code on the PDF was scanned successfully at Ouagadougou airport immigration in a simulated check. Land-border officials, however, asked for the printed copy only.
Printing Requirements & Digital Copy Validity
Print the Burkina Faso eVisa PDF in colour on A4 paper at 100% scale, keeping the QR code legible. Carry at least two printed copies. Digital copies are accepted at some borders but not all; printed copies are safer.
Colour or Black & White?
| Requirement | Recommendation | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Colour vs B&W | Colour | Keeps photo and QR code legible for scanning |
| Paper & scale | A4, 100%, portrait | QR code must scan at border control |
| Printer type | Laser over inkjet | Inkjet smears in humid tropical conditions |
| QR code | Do not fold or cover | Officer scans it for authenticity verification |
| Lamination | Optional | Protects against moisture during travel |
| Copies | Two (present + backup) | Entry or exit stamp affixed after authentication |
Can You Show Your eVisa on a Phone or Tablet?
Permitted formats include a printed paper copy or an electronic copy on a phone or tablet. Airport scanners may read a phone screen, but land borders often lack connectivity, so a printout remains essential. A dead battery renders a digital copy unusable.
From Approval Email to Border Control
After approval, save the Burkina Faso eVisa PDF offline, print two colour copies, present one with your passport at entry, and retain it until departure.
Save the PDF offline and print two colour copies
Present the printed PDF and passport at entry
The officer scans the QR code and stamps your passport
Keep the PDF until departure; archive for 6 months
What If You Lose Your eVisa PDF?
Re-login to applicant.visaburkina.bf under “My Applications” to download a new copy, or contact the Division de la Migration at [email protected] or by phone at (+226) 76 40 06 46 or (+226) 68 15 50 07 with your reference and passport numbers. The Division de la Migration is located at avenue de l’indépendance, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
FAQ: Burkina Faso eVisa PDF Delivery and Printing
What does the Burkina Faso eVisa PDF look like?
The approved Burkina Faso eVisa PDF contains your full name, passport number, visa validity dates, applicant photograph, a unique reference number, and a QR code. The QR code is scanned by migration control officers at the port of entry to authenticate your travel authorisation.
Is a printed copy of the eVisa required for travel to Burkina Faso?
A printed copy is required in practice. Officers check it at entry and exit. Print two colour copies on A4 at 100% scale. Digital copies are permitted but less reliable at land borders.
Can I use the eVisa on my phone at Ouagadougou airport?
Yes, an electronic copy on a phone or tablet is a permitted format for embarkation in Burkina Faso. At Ouagadougou airport, QR scanners and connectivity may be available. At land borders, they may not. Carrying a printed copy remains the safer choice for UK travellers.
What is the difference between a pre-visa and an eVisa?
There is no difference. Burkina Faso uses the term “pre-visa” to describe the electronic authorisation issued through the online visa platform, which functions as the eVisa. Both terms refer to the same document: a PDF delivered by email after your application is approved by the Division de la Migration.
I did not receive my eVisa email. What should I do?
First, check your spam and promotions folders. Verify that the email address on your application is correct. Re-login to the applicant portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf to check your application status. If the PDF is still missing, contact the Division de la Migration at [email protected] or by phone at (+226) 76 40 06 46 or (+226) 68 15 50 07.
Can I apply using a PDF form instead of the online portal?
No. The eVisa must be obtained before departure through the online portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf. The consulate no longer issues visas in person. Legacy PDF forms circulated on third-party websites are obsolete for most applicants. The application is submitted online, fees are paid online, and the decision is delivered by email.
Do I need to keep my eVisa PDF after leaving Burkina Faso?
Yes. The eVisa PDF is checked by a migration control officer when you leave the territory. You must keep it until you have exited Burkina Faso. After your trip, archive the PDF for six months in case of any disputes or follow-up inquiries regarding your travel history.
How long is the Burkina Faso eVisa valid after approval?
The eVisa becomes valid at 00:00 on the start date you chose in the online form and expires at 23:59 on the expiry date printed on the PDF. Check that both dates match your travel window before you fly. The maximum stay duration is 90 days. Visa types include tourist, business, and transit, each with single-entry or multiple-entry options. Consular fees range from EUR 39 for a transit single entry to EUR 148 for a business multiple entry.
Burkina Faso issues its eVisa as a PDF file attached to an approval email sent after your online application is processed (2 to 5 working days). The PDF contains your photo, passport details, and a QR code for border verification. Print two colour copies on A4 paper and carry a digital backup on your phone. Both printed and digital copies should be kept until you leave Burkina Faso.
