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Burkina Faso visa options for United Kingdom passport holders

Tourist / short stay

e-Visa

Apply for a visa online before travelling.

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Burkina Faso

Rules are written for non-ECOWAS foreign nationals; ECOWAS-state citizens are visa-exempt and most others must obtain an e-visa in advance via the official portal.

  • Most nomadsTourist

    Short-Stay e-Visa (Tourism / Family Visit)

    Up to 90 days (single- or multiple-entry); validity cannot exceed 90 days

    Insurance
    Requiredthe official short-term visa page lists a 'health insurance certificate covering the period of stay' as a mandatory document.
    Good for
    Non-ECOWAS travellers visiting for tourism or to see family; also the practical route for remote workers since no dedicated nomad visa exists.
    Requirement
    Valid passport (6+ months, 1 blank page), online e-visa application, two photos, proof of travel purpose, medical certificate confirming no contagious disease, and a health-insurance certificate. Apply in advance via visaburkina.bf (visa-on-arrival now only in exceptional cases).
  • Business

    Short-Stay e-Visa (Business)

    Up to 90 days; validity cannot exceed 90 days

    Insurance
    Requiredhealth-insurance certificate covering the stay is a listed mandatory document.
    Good for
    Foreign nationals attending meetings, negotiations or short business trips (not local employment).
    Requirement
    Valid passport, online e-visa application, proof of business purpose (e.g. invitation), photos, medical certificate (no contagious disease) and health insurance. Business short-stay fee approx 77,000-93,500 F CFA (verify).
  • Work

    Work Permit + Residence Permit (Permis de Travail / Carte de Séjour)

    Residence permit issued for the work/stay period (temporary residence typically up to ~1 year, renewable); verify current terms

    Insurance
    Recommendedthe preceding long-stay visa requires health insurance; confirm any ongoing cover obligation for permit holders (sources do not state a separate permit-stage insurance rule).
    Good for
    Foreign nationals taking up employment in Burkina Faso, typically on a local contract with an employer sponsor.
    Requirement
    Enter on a long-stay visa, then obtain a work permit (Permis de Travail, via the labour ministry, usually employer-initiated) and register for a residence permit (Carte de Séjour) with the migration police. Requires passport, employment contract, proof of accommodation, clean criminal record and medical documents.
  • Study

    Short-Stay e-Visa (Conference / Studies / Training)

    Up to 90 days; longer programmes require the long-stay visa

    Insurance
    Requiredthe official portal lists a health-insurance certificate covering the period of stay as mandatory.
    Good for
    Visitors coming for a conference, short course, training or short-term study (short programmes, not a full degree enrolment).
    Requirement
    Valid passport, e-visa application, proof of the conference/training/study purpose, photos, medical certificate and health insurance. Fee approx 55,000-71,500 F CFA (verify).
  • Residence

    Long-Stay e-Visa (over 90 days)

    Valid for more than 90 days; multiple-entry version caps each stay at 90 days per semester (verify exact validity)

    Insurance
    Requiredthe official long-term visa page lists 'health insurance covering the stay' among mandatory documents.
    Good for
    Foreigners staying beyond 90 days for business, longer studies/training, or cooperation/assignment work; the entry document that precedes a residence/work permit.
    Requirement
    Valid passport, e-visa application, proof of stay reason, two photos, medical certificate (no contagious disease), certificate of support or proof of income, health insurance, and stamp-duty receipt. Fees approx 77,000-187,000 F CFA depending on subtype (verify).
  • Transit

    Transit Visa

    Validity cannot exceed 5 days

    Insurance
    Requiredthe official transit visa page lists a health-insurance certificate covering the period of stay as a mandatory document.
    Good for
    Travellers passing through Burkina Faso (e.g. connecting flight, vehicle breakdown, force-majeure stopover).
    Requirement
    Valid passport, e-visa/transit application, proof of onward travel and reason for stay, two photos, medical certificate (no contagious disease) and health insurance. Fee 22,000 F CFA (verify).

Verify current fees, eligibility and security/entry conditions on the official portal (visaburkina.bf) and with a Burkinabè mission before travel; figures are approximate and change. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Visa-free isn’t insurance-free

Whatever route you take into Burkina Faso, your entry stamp never includes health cover. Many longer-stay visas also require proof of insurance before they’re granted. That part is on you — and it’s what we actually do.

Get a quoteVisa insurance requirements

United Kingdom → Burkina Faso: frequently asked

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit Burkina Faso?
e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.
Can a United Kingdom passport holder live or work long-term in Burkina Faso?
Yes, via a long-stay visa. Burkina Faso has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.
Do I need travel insurance for Burkina Faso?
Entry to Burkina Faso never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Burkina Faso visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.
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Last updated

Visa rules can change at short notice and depend on your purpose of travel, length of stay and onward tickets. Always confirm with the destination’s embassy or the IATA Travel Centre before you book. Visa-free entry never includes travel health insurance. That’s still on you.