Present your printed Burkina Faso eVisa and passport at the immigration counter of any accepted port of entry, including Thomas Sankara International Airport (OUA) or land borders like Cinkansé. The immigration officer will verify your Burkina Faso eVisa, collect biometric data if required, and stamp your passport. Bring your yellow fever certificate, proof of accommodation, and return ticket; ensure a passport valid for at least 6 months with one blank page.
Last updated: September 2026. Always verify with the Burkina Faso immigration portal (visaburkina.bf) before travel, as procedures may change without notice. This guide was prepared by the travel research team, drawing on government bulletins and on-the-ground traveller reports.
Introduction: What to Expect When Arriving in Burkina Faso with an eVisa
UK travellers with a Burkina Faso eVisa must present a printed copy plus a valid passport (≥6 months) and yellow fever certificate at any accepted port of entry. The eVisa, managed by the Ministère de la Sécurité / Direction Générale de la Police Nationale, is obtained online via the applicant portal and is valid for up to 90 days on a single-entry basis. This guide covers where to present your Burkina Faso eVisa, how the port of entry process differs between airport and land border checkpoints, and what to expect at each stage. For application steps, see our Burkina Faso eVisa application guide.
Which Ports of Entry Accept the Burkina Faso eVisa?
The Burkina Faso eVisa is accepted at two airports and four land border crossings. It is valid for up to 90 days, single entry, at any of these six checkpoints, regardless of the port declared online.
| Port | Type | Border Country | eVisa Accepted | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thomas Sankara International Airport (OUA) | Airport | N/A | Yes | Primary international gateway; structured immigration hall |
| Bobo-Dioulasso Airport (BOY) | Airport | N/A | Yes | Secondary airport; fewer international flights |
| Cinkansé | Land border | Togo / Ghana | Yes | Busy crossing; manual processing; longer waits |
| Dakola | Land border | Ghana | Yes | Manual processing |
| Niangoloko | Land border | Côte d’Ivoire | Yes | Manual processing |
| Kantchari | Land border | Togo | Yes | Manual processing |
The Burkina Faso eVisa is valid at any of these six checkpoints. Airports have dedicated immigration counters; land border posts use manual processing with longer queues, especially at Cinkansé.
Step-by-Step Arrival Procedure at Ports of Entry
Arrival at every port of entry follows six steps: disembarkation, health screening, entry card, immigration counter, passport stamping, and customs.
- Disembarkation: proceed to the border post.
- Health screening: present your original yellow fever certificate at the health desk before passport control.
- Fiche de débarquement: complete the entry card with name, passport number, flight or vehicle number, purpose of visit, and local address in Burkina Faso.
- Immigration counter: present your passport (valid ≥6 months) and printed eVisa to the immigration officer. The Burkina Faso eVisa port of entry process may involve biometric data collection.
- Entry stamp: the officer affixes the stamp as proof of legal entry; retain it for departure.
- Baggage claim and customs: declare currency exceeding 1,000,000 XOF or equivalent in foreign currency.
Required Documents and Emergency Protocols at the Border
Travellers must present six documents at the immigration officer‘s counter. A lost printed Burkina Faso eVisa requires immediate verification to avoid entry denial.
- Passport: valid for at least 6 months, with at least 1 blank page
- Printed eVisa: physical printout required per the institutional portal (visaburkina.bf); digital copy not guaranteed
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate: original document, required if arriving from an endemic country or area
- Passport photo: 35×45 mm, white background, for entry card and records
- Proof of accommodation: hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter
- Return or onward travel ticket: evidence of departure from Burkina Faso
- Travel or health insurance: recommended; carry proof for spot-checks
If you lose the printed eVisa at the border post: show the approval email on your phone, request a verification lookup at immigration by passport number, or contact Division de la Migration at (+226) 68 15 50 07 / [email protected]. Not guaranteed to succeed.
Exit Procedures and Overstay Penalties
Departure also follows the Burkina Faso eVisa port of entry process:
Exit passport control
Officer verifies the entry stamp and eVisa validity period.
Departure stamp
Issued confirming legal exit.
Departure card
May need to complete a form similar to the arrival fiche de débarquement.
Departure tax
Verify with carrier; often included in airfare.
Customs
The same 1,000,000 XOF currency declaration threshold applies.
eVisa validity check
Confirms no overstay occurred.
The standard Burkina Faso eVisa is single entry only; exiting and re-entering requires a multiple-entry visa from an embassy or consulate. Overstaying the 90-day validity triggers fines calculated per day or week. Regularise at the Division de la Migration:
Division de la Migration, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, avenue de l’indépendanceTelephone: (+226) 76 40 06 46 / (+226) 68 15 50 07
Email: [email protected]
Overstay also risks future entry denial to Burkina Faso.
Tips for a Smooth Entry at Burkina Faso’s Ports of Entry
Carry a printed Burkina Faso eVisa, declare currency above 1,000,000 XOF, and avoid overstaying: penalties include per-day fines and future entry denial.
- Print your eVisa: physical copy required; do not rely on your phone
- Keep documents ready: passport, eVisa, yellow fever certificate, and entry card before reaching the counter
- Queue times: airports have shorter queues off-peak; land borders (especially Cinkansé) can take 45 to 90 minutes during peak hours (8 to 11 AM)
- Currency declaration: declare above 1,000,000 XOF or equivalent in foreign currency
- Single entry: standard Burkina Faso eVisa is single entry only; re-entry requires embassy-issued multiple-entry visa
- Overstay: fines per day or week; regularisation at Division de la Migration, Ouagadougou, avenue de l’indépendance; risk of future entry denial
FAQ
Where do I present my Burkina Faso eVisa when arriving at the airport?
At the immigration officer‘s counter inside the arrivals hall of Thomas Sankara International Airport (OUA) or Bobo-Dioulasso Airport (BOY). Present passport, printed Burkina Faso eVisa, and yellow fever certificate for verification and entry stamp issuance.
Can I use my Burkina Faso eVisa at land borders with Ghana or Togo?
Yes. The Burkina Faso eVisa is accepted at Cinkansé, Dakola, Niangoloko, and Kantchari when crossing from Togo, Ghana, or Côte d’Ivoire. Processing at these land border eVisa checkpoints is manual and may take longer than at airports.
Do I need to print my Burkina Faso eVisa before arriving?
Yes. The portal visaburkina.bf requires a physical printout presented upon disembarking. Relying on a digital copy risks entry denial at the port of entry.
What documents do I need alongside my eVisa at the port of entry?
Passport (valid ≥6 months, 1 blank page), printed Burkina Faso eVisa, yellow fever certificate, passport photo, accommodation proof, return or onward travel ticket, and recommended insurance proof.
What happens at immigration when I arrive with an eVisa?
The immigration officer checks your passport and printed Burkina Faso eVisa, may collect biometric data such as fingerprints or a facial photo, verifies your fiche de débarquement entry card, and stamps your passport with the entry stamp date.
Can I arrive at a different port of entry than declared on my application?
The Burkina Faso eVisa is generally valid at any port of entry and is not restricted to the one declared online. If in doubt, contact Division de la Migration at (+226) 68 15 50 07 before your trip.
Is a visa on arrival available as an alternative to the eVisa?
Visa on arrival may be available at certain port of entry locations, but the Burkina Faso eVisa obtained in advance is strongly recommended to avoid delays or denial. Confirm availability with your nearest Burkinabe embassy before travel.
What should I do if I lose my printed eVisa at the border?
Show the approval email on your phone, request a verification lookup by passport number, and contact Division de la Migration at (+226) 68 15 50 07 or [email protected]. Not guaranteed to succeed.
What are the overstay penalties in Burkina Faso?
Fines calculated per day or week of overstay. Regularisation required at Division de la Migration in Ouagadougou on avenue de l’indépendance. Overstaying carries a high risk of future entry denial to Burkina Faso.
