The official Burkina Faso visa website at visaburkina.bf is the government-managed online portal where travelers apply for, pay, and track their eVisa applications. Operated by the Division de la Migration under the Ministry of Security, the portal handles tourist, business, transit, and long-stay visa applications from citizens of eligible countries. This guide covers every section of the website, how to navigate it, and what to expect at each stage of the process.
What Is visaburkina.bf?
visaburkina.bf is the official electronic visa portal of Burkina Faso, managed by the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale under the Ministry of Security. The site launched in 2014 and underwent a major expansion in August 2023 to support more visa categories and payment methods.
The portal serves as a single point of entry for all visa-related processes:
- New visa applications – submit forms, upload documents, and pay fees online
- Application tracking – check the status of submitted applications via the applicant subdomain
- Visa type information – review categories, fees, and eligibility requirements
- Contact and support – reach the Division de la Migration directly
The website operates in French as the primary language (Burkina Faso’s official language) with an English translation available via a language toggle in the top navigation bar. The English version covers all core functionality but the French version sometimes contains more detailed or up-to-date information.
Important: visaburkina.bf is the only legitimate government portal for Burkina Faso eVisa applications. Third-party websites may offer to process your visa for additional fees, but they are not affiliated with the Burkinabe government.
Website Navigation and Main Sections
The visaburkina.bf homepage presents a clean layout with a top navigation menu and a four-step visual guide to the application process. Understanding the site structure helps you find information quickly and avoid confusion during your application.
Top Navigation Menu
The main menu bar includes these sections:
| Menu Item | French Label | What It Contains |
|---|---|---|
| Home | Accueil | Landing page with overview and 4-step process guide |
| Types of Visas | Types de visa | Sub-menu with visa categories, durations, and fees |
| Conditions | Conditions | Entry requirements, document checklists, eligibility rules |
| Where to Get Your Visa | Où obtenir son visa | Embassy locations, consulate contacts, online application link |
| FAQ | FAQ | Frequently asked questions about the eVisa process |
| Contact | Contacts | Phone numbers, email, and physical address |
| Language Toggle | English / Français | Switches between English and French versions |
Four-Step Process Display
The homepage prominently displays the four stages of the eVisa journey:
- Fill Out Application Form – Access the online form at the applicant portal
- Pay Visa Fees – Complete payment via card or mobile money
- Get the Decision – Receive your approval or rejection notification
- Travel to Burkina Faso – Print your eVisa and present it at the border
Each step links to more detailed information. The “Fill a Visa Application Form” button directs you to the applicant subdomain at applicant.visaburkina.bf, where the actual registration and submission process takes place.
How to Use the Applicant Portal
The applicant portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf is where you create your account, fill in your details, and submit your visa application. This is a separate subdomain from the main informational site.
Creating Your Account
To begin using the portal:
- Visit visaburkina.bf and click “Fill a Visa Application Form” or go directly to applicant.visaburkina.bf
- Click “Register” or “New Account”
- Enter your email address and create a password
- Check your email for a confirmation link (valid for 24 hours)
- Click the link to activate your account
Use an email address you check regularly. All application status updates, requests for additional documents, and approval notifications are sent to this address.
Navigating the Application Form
Once logged in, the application form walks you through several screens:
- Visa type selection – Choose tourist, business, transit, or long-stay
- Personal information – Name, date of birth, nationality, passport details
- Travel details – Purpose of visit, intended dates, accommodation in Burkina Faso
- Document upload – Passport scan, photo, yellow fever certificate, supporting documents
- Payment – Credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard) or mobile money (Orange Money, Moov Money)
- Review and submit – Verify all information before final submission
The portal accepts JPEG and PDF files for document uploads, with a maximum file size of 2 MB per file. For a detailed walkthrough of the application process, see our Burkina Faso eVisa guide.
Types of Visas Available on the Website
The portal offers several visa categories, each with different fees and durations:
| Visa Category | Duration | Entry Type | Fee (FCFA) | Fee (USD approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist – Short Stay | 30 days | Single entry | 33,000 | ~$53 |
| Tourist – Short Stay | 90 days | Multiple entry | 55,000 | ~$89 |
| Business | 90 days | Single entry | 77,000 | ~$124 |
| Business | 90 days | Multiple entry | 93,500 | ~$151 |
| Transit | 5 days | Single entry | 22,000 | ~$36 |
| Express Processing | Varies | Varies | +104,500 | ~$169 |
The Types of Visas section on the website provides detailed descriptions of each category, including eligibility criteria and required documents. Standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days, while the express option guarantees a 48-hour turnaround.
For a complete breakdown of fees by nationality and visa type, see our Burkina Faso visa fee guide.
Conditions Section: Requirements and Eligibility
The Conditions menu on visaburkina.bf contains the eligibility rules and document checklists for each visa type. This section covers:
General requirements for all applicants:
– Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity from your entry date
– Minimum 2 blank pages in your passport for visa stamps
– Recent passport-size photograph (white background, taken within 6 months)
– Yellow fever vaccination certificate (ICVP) – mandatory for all travelers
– Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
– Return or onward travel itinerary
Additional requirements by visa type:
– Business visa: Letter of invitation from a Burkinabe company, employer letter
– Long-stay visa: Employment contract or enrollment letter, medical certificate, police clearance
– Transit visa: Valid visa for your final destination (if required)
The Conditions section also explains that all documents must be in French or accompanied by a certified French translation. English-only documents may cause processing delays. For the full document checklist, see our Burkina Faso visa requirements guide.
Tracking Your Application Status
After submitting your application through the portal, you can track its progress in real time. The application status is visible in two ways:
Via the Applicant Portal
- Log in to applicant.visaburkina.bf with your registered email and password
- Navigate to “My Applications” or “Application Status”
- Your current status will be displayed next to each submitted application
Status Stages
| Status | Meaning | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Submitted | Application received, awaiting review | Wait – no action needed |
| Under Review | Documents being evaluated | Wait – check back in 1-2 days |
| Additional Documents Required | Missing or unclear documents | Upload requested files within 48 hours |
| Approved | Visa granted | Download and print your eVisa PDF |
| Rejected | Visa denied | Review reason and consider reapplying |
When your visa is approved, you receive an email notification with a link to download your eVisa approval letter as a PDF. Print this document and carry it with your passport when traveling. Immigration officers at Ouagadougou Airport or approved border crossings will stamp your passport with the actual visa upon arrival.
For troubleshooting status issues, see our Burkina Faso visa status guide.
Contact and Support Information
The visaburkina.bf Contact section provides official channels for reaching the Division de la Migration:
Division de la Migration
– Address: Avenue de l’Indépendance, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
– Phone: (+226) 76 40 06 46 / (+226) 68 15 50 07
– Email: [email protected]
When to contact support:
– Technical issues with the portal (login problems, upload errors, payment failures)
– Clarification on document requirements for your specific nationality
– Questions about application processing times beyond the standard 3-5 days
– Special circumstances (diplomatic travel, group applications, humanitarian cases)
Response times: Email inquiries typically receive a response within 2-3 business days. Phone lines operate during standard business hours (approximately 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM GMT, Monday to Friday). For urgent matters, calling is more reliable than email.
Common Website Issues and How to Solve Them
The visaburkina.bf portal occasionally experiences technical problems. Here are the most common issues and their solutions:
Login problems:
– If you cannot log in, use the “Forgot Password” link on the applicant portal login page
– Check your spam folder for the password reset email
– Clear your browser cache and cookies before retrying
Document upload failures:
– Ensure each file is under 2 MB in size
– Use JPEG or PDF format only
– Avoid special characters in file names (use letters and numbers only)
– Reduce scan resolution if files exceed the size limit – 300 DPI is sufficient
Payment not processing:
– Ensure your card supports international transactions in CFA Francs (XOF)
– Try a different card or payment method (Orange Money, Moov Money)
– Wait 15 minutes and retry – temporary server issues can block payments
– Contact your bank to authorize the transaction if it is flagged as suspicious
Portal downtime:
– The website occasionally goes offline for scheduled maintenance
– If the portal is inaccessible, wait 1-2 hours and try again
– Check the homepage for any posted maintenance notices
Language switching:
– Use the English/Français toggle in the top-right corner of the navigation bar
– If the toggle does not work, try a different browser or clear your cache
Tips for Using the Website Effectively
Follow these practices to make your application process as smooth as possible:
Before starting your application:
– Gather all required documents in digital format (JPEG or PDF, under 2 MB each)
– Have your credit or debit card ready, or ensure your mobile money account has sufficient funds
– Prepare a 300 DPI scan of your passport bio-data page with all four corners visible
– Get your yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before your intended travel date
During the application:
– Double-check that your name matches your passport exactly (including middle names)
– Save your progress frequently – the portal may time out after 30 minutes of inactivity
– Use the review page before submitting to catch any errors
– Note your application reference number immediately after payment
After submission:
– Check your application status every 1-2 days via the applicant portal
– Respond to any “Additional Documents Required” notifications within 48 hours
– Download and print your eVisa approval letter as soon as it is issued
– Carry 2 printed copies of the approval letter when traveling (one for immigration, one as backup)
For a complete overview of the application form itself, see our Burkina Faso visa application form guide.
Is the visaburkina.bf Website Safe to Use?
visaburkina.bf is the official government portal and the only legitimate website for Burkina Faso eVisa applications. The site is operated by the Division de la Migration, a division of the Direction Générale de la Police Nationale under the Ministry of Security.
Security features of the portal include:
– HTTPS encryption – the site uses SSL/TLS to protect your data during transmission
– Secure payment processing – credit card transactions are handled through encrypted payment gateways
– Government affiliation – the footer links to official government entities including the Présidence du Faso, the Ministry of Security, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– Official contact information – verifiable phone numbers and a physical address in Ouagadougou
Beware of third-party visa services that charge additional fees on top of the official visa cost. These websites are not affiliated with the Burkinabe government. Always verify that you are on visaburkina.bf before entering personal or payment information. For a comparison of online versus embassy applications, see our eVisa vs Embassy guide.
FAQ
Is visaburkina.bf the official Burkina Faso visa website?
Yes. visaburkina.bf is the official government portal for Burkina Faso visa applications, managed by the Division de la Migration under the Ministry of Security. The site is the only legitimate platform for submitting eVisa applications online.
Can I apply for a visa entirely online through the website?
Yes. The portal at applicant.visaburkina.bf allows you to create an account, fill in the application form, upload documents, and pay fees entirely online. You do not need to visit an embassy for short-stay tourist, business, or transit visas. Long-stay visas may still require embassy submission.
What languages does the visa website support?
The website is available in French (the primary language) and English. Use the language toggle in the top-right corner of the navigation bar to switch between versions. The French version sometimes contains more detailed or recently updated information.
How much does the visa cost through the website?
Visa fees range from 22,000 FCFA (~$36) for a transit visa to 93,500 FCFA (~$151) for a multiple-entry business visa. An express processing option adds 104,500 FCFA (~$169) for 48-hour turnaround. Payment is accepted via credit/debit card (Visa, Mastercard) or mobile money (Orange Money, Moov Money). See our visa fee guide for the full breakdown.
How long does it take to get a visa through the website?
Standard processing takes 3 to 5 business days after submission. The express option guarantees a decision within 48 hours for an additional fee. Processing times may be longer during peak travel seasons or if additional documents are requested.
What should I do if the website is not working?
Clear your browser cache and cookies, then try again. If the portal is still inaccessible, wait 1-2 hours and retry – temporary server outages are usually resolved quickly. For persistent issues, contact the Division de la Migration at (+226) 76 40 06 46 or email [email protected].
Can I track my visa application on the website?
Yes. Log in to applicant.visaburkina.bf with your registered credentials and check the status under “My Applications”. Status updates include Submitted, Under Review, Additional Documents Required, Approved, and Rejected. Notifications are also sent to your registered email address.
Is it safe to enter my credit card details on visaburkina.bf?
Yes. The portal uses HTTPS encryption and processes payments through secure gateways. The site is operated by the Burkinabe government’s Division de la Migration. Always verify you are on visaburkina.bf (not a similar-looking third-party site) before entering payment information.
What documents do I need to upload on the website?
The portal requires a passport scan (JPEG or PDF, max 2 MB), a passport-size photo (white background), a yellow fever vaccination certificate, proof of accommodation, and a return flight itinerary. Business visas additionally require an invitation letter from a Burkinabe company. All documents must be in French or accompanied by a certified French translation.
Can I apply for a long-stay visa through the website?
The portal lists long-stay visa categories (work, student, family reunification) under Types of Visas, but some long-stay applications may still require embassy submission depending on your nationality and specific circumstances. Check the Conditions section on the portal or contact the Division de la Migration for confirmation.
