How to Apply for a Burkina Faso Visa in Philadelphia

The West African nation of Burkina Faso – “the land of upright people” – is hardly a mainstream travel destination for people living in the Philadelphia area, with its harsh desert climate, lack of infrastructure, and continuing travel advisories (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/burkina-faso-travel-advisory.html).

“Yet Burkina Faso remains an enthralling destination for intrepid travelers, thanks to its wonderful inhabitants and dramatic landscapes,” according to World Travel Guide (https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/burkina-faso/). “As such, the country, though not frequently visited, is a fine place in which to immerse yourself in African culture.” Burkina Faso claims to be one of the friendliest countries on the continent, the report continued. “Burkinabe, as the people of Burkina Faso are known, are the exact opposite of the harsh land that they inhabit – and it is these cordial and courteous people who make it such a joy to come here.”

Landlocked Burkina Faso, located south of the Sahara Desert, is bordered by Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana, and the Ivory Coast.  Formerly known as Upper Volta, Burkina Faso’s official language is French, reflecting its history as a self-governing section of French West Africa before gaining independence in 1960.  However, the country has suffered political instability, coups, droughts, famines, and terrorist violence in the decades since then.

It is also one of the poorest countries in the world, with a population exceeding 21 million people who largely engage in raising livestock and growing their own food.  Still, the economy has grown in recent years, with GDP increasing by 8.5% in 2022. “Foreign investment in the gold mining sector has boosted Burkina Faso to become the fourth-largest gold producer in Africa,” the U.S. Commerce Department stated in a recent report (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/burkina-faso-market-opportunities). “Companies involved in mining equipment manufacturing, finance and investment, geophysical mapping, and consulting are well placed to benefit from the revitalization of Burkina Faso’s mining industry.” Growth is also expected in generic pharmaceuticals, fertilizers, transportation services, electric machinery, fuel, cereals, and cotton-related services, the department added.  The U.S. exported $66 million in goods to Burkina Faso in 2022.  To learn more about investment opportunities, watch this government video at https://consulatburkinany.org/.

Tourism is a minor portion of the local economy, with little formal infrastructure present and large portions of the country under long-standing travel restrictions.  Still, it offers unique attractions for experienced international travelers from the Philadelphia area interested in African culture. “Burkina Faso may not suit first-time travelers,” World Travel Guide noted, “but for hardy adventurers, this is a destination in which to veer off the tourist trail and discover the hidden gems of West Africa.”

The country’s largest city, economic center, and capital is Ouagadougou (often shortened to Ouaga).  Ouaga is known for its diverse artistic community, unique architecture, and several large sculptures along its streets.  Cultural venues include the National Museum of Music; Musée de Manega, which displays local rifles and musical instruments; Bangr-Weoogo urban park; and La Place du Grand Lyon, a monument to the region’s French ties.  Bobo-Dioulasso, the second-largest city in Burkina Faso, is also popular for the arts and its blend of African and European architectural styles.  Historic buildings include Konsa house, a traditional ritual center; the sacred natural pond of Dafra; and the mausoleum of Guimbi Ouattara.  The country is also considered the home of West African music, with the two cities hosting events such as the Festival International de la Culture Hip Hop and Festival Jazz.

“Away from the cities, Burkina Faso’s four national parks harbor a surprising diversity of wildlife,” World Travel Guide reported.  The country’s wildlife includes 147 species of mammals, 1,221 fish varieties, 2,000-plus plant species, and hundreds of types of birds.  Arli (or Arly), the most prominent park, is home to elephants, lions, leopards, buffalo, monkeys, baboons, warthogs, and exotic birds.  Arli is also a component of the three-nation wildlife refuge area W-Arly-Pendjari Complex, one of the country’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites.  The other two UNESCO designees are the ruins of Loropéni, which includes 10 fortresses; and the five sites comprising the ancient ferrous metallurgy sites of Burkina Faso.

A typical tour of popular sites starts and ends at Ouaga, with stops at traditional villages in Gaoua, the Loropéni ruins, the rock formations at Sindou Peaks, Tengrela Lake, mud mosques, and rural mask festivals.  Other popular outings include a camel ride and desert sleep-over; hiking the waterfalls outside Banfora; exploring the elaborate Bani mosques; and visiting the crocodile lakes near Ouaga and Hippo Lake, home to 100+ hippopotami.

Burkina Faso Visa Requirements

Citizens of the United States and most other countries must obtain a visa to visit Burkina Faso.  The country also requires that visitors provide proof of yellow fever vaccination (except for infants less than nine months old.) You will also need to furnish a medical exam certificate showing you do not suffer from a contagious disease and offer proof of health insurance for the duration of your stay.

The primary requirement to obtain a visitor visa is possessing a valid U.S. passport.  Most tourist and business travelers from the Philadelphia area can use the Republic of Burkina Faso’s online portal to obtain an electronic visa (e-Visa).  For diplomatic visas, less common types of visits, or if there are issues when you apply online, you can obtain a conventional visa in-person or by mail through the government’s embassy in Washington, D.C., or the consulate in New York City.  You can also apply for visas upon arrival in Burkina Faso, although the U.S. State Department urges citizens to acquire their visa before traveling (https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/BurkinaFaso.html).

Burkina Faso offers three main types of visas: transit (a one-time visit lasting up to five days); short-stay (single or multiple-entry visa good for up to three months); and long-stay (five-year multiple-entry visa).  The long-stay visa must be obtained after you enter the country on the short-stay visa.  You can also renew the long-stay visa after five years.

For the transit visa, you need to present a completed form and your valid visa, plus two color photos and proof of travel plans.  The requirements for both short- and long-stay visas are:

  • Valid passport.
  • Completed application form.
  • Two recent color photographs.
  • Proof of reason for your stay in Burkina Faso.
  • Medical examination certificate attesting the applicant does not suffer from a contagious disease. A vaccination record is also recommended.
  • Proof of financial support or income for the duration of your stay.
  • Health insurance covering the duration of your stay.
  • Receipt for payment of processing fees and stamp duties ($140).
  • Health Insurance. We recommend purchasing international medical insurance to cover accidents, injuries, and illnesses while traveling in Burkina Faso.  International medical insurance from GeoBlue can be purchased from Visa Supply online through the following link: ⇒ Order Now.

 

Option One: Apply Online for an Electronic Visa from Philadelphia

The government portal https://www.visaburkina.bf/ provides access to the application form for an electronic visa (e-Visa).  Also known as the “evisaburkina”, the e-Visa is a digital document that functions like a traditional visa affixed to a physical passport.  Upon approval by the government, applicants receive an email that they must print off and present when boarding and entering the country.

E-Visas are short-stay visas valid for up the three months.  The process for obtaining a Burkina Faso e-Visa from Philadelphia is:

  • Fill out the online application and submitting supporting documents at the government portal, https://www.visaburkina.bf/.
  • Pay visa fees online using an electronic payment option listed on the website.
  • Receive response. It typically takes about five days for the government to approve your application. You will receive an email that contains your e-Visa.  Print it out and present it when traveling to and exiting Burkina Faso.

 

Option Two: Apply Through the Burkina Faso Embassy or Consulate

Residents of Philadelphia can also obtain a traditional visa through the Burkina Faso Embassy in Washington, D.C. (https://burkina-usa.org/) or the consulate in New York (https://burkina-usa.org/activites-consulaires/).  You can visit either location in person, or submit your applications by mail.

Applicants with diplomatic or official passports must submit their applications to the embassy or consulate.  You will also need to follow the traditional visa procedure for some non-tourism visas, such as a student visa.  Current fees for various types of visas are available at the embassy websites.

To apply at the embassy (or consulate), you will need to present your application and supporting documentation to an embassy agent.  You can pay your visa fee in cash or by credit card (although there is a transaction fee for electronic payments).  You should receive a response within 72 hours.  If approved, you will receive a printed form or PDF file containing an e-Visa.  For more details, visit https://www.visaburkina.bf/en/get-your-visa-at-the-embassy/.

If you want to stay for more than 90 days, you will need to visit a government office in Burkina Faso to obtain a five-year visa.  Similarly, if you want to extend that visa, you will also have to renew your visa while you are in the country.

 

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for any of these visas and answer your questions about visiting Burkina Faso.  We also provide courier services to deliver your application and pick up your visa from the embassy in Washington, D.C.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Burkina Faso.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

If you live in Philadelphia or anywhere in the state of Pennsylvania or New Jersey and have difficulty applying for a Burkina Faso visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Burkina Faso visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. 

We provide the following Burkina Faso visa services for our customers in Philadelphia:

  • Burkina Faso Tourist Visa
  • Burkina Faso Business Visa
  • Burkina Faso Official Visa
  • Burkina Faso Missionary Visa
  • Burkina Faso Transit Visa
  • Burkina Faso Hotel Accommodations