If you plan to travel to Burkina Faso, the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou encourages you to review the Department of State’s Country Specific Information Sheet for information regarding entry and exit requirements, safety and security, health information and more.
Anytime you travel abroad, the Department of State encourages you to let us know about your trip through our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). STEP is a free service offered by the U.S. Department of State. Enrollment in STEP will allow the Embassy to reach you in case of an emergency, and will enable you to receive e-mailed Embassy announcements which include updates on safety, security, and other events in Burkina Faso. Registration is voluntary and costs nothing.
You are also welcome to stop by the Consular office during the American Citizen Services business hours to fill out an enrollment form. You do not need to make an appointment. Please be sure to bring your U.S. passport when enrolling.
For more information on current specific travel alerts and warnings from the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou, please review the Emergency Messages for U.S. Citizens.
U.S. citizens are strongly urged to acquire visas for Burkina Faso before traveling to the country. Travelers can apply for a visa by mail, or in person, at the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington, D.C., where they will receive a five-year multiple entry visa for USD $140. If visas are not obtained in advance, the cost at the port of entry is 94,000 francs CFA (approximately USD $190) for a single entry visa with a maximum validity of 3 months, or 122,000 CFA (approximately USD $245) for multiple entry visa with a maximum validity of three months. Once in Burkina Faso one can apply for a five-year multiple entry visa for 70,000 CFA (approximately USD $140) at the Visa Office of Ouagadougou located at Gounghin.
Travelers entering Burkina Faso are required to present their current and valid “International Certificate of Vaccination as approved by the World Health Organization (WHO)” (commonly called a “yellow card”) showing that their yellow fever vaccination is up-to-date.
The Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington is located at 2340 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 332-5577. Visas are also available from Burkina Faso’s Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Overseas, inquiries should be made at the nearest Burkinabe embassy or consulate. Visit the Embassy of Burkina Faso website for the most current visa information, or contact their offices directly. Several companies that offer visa services, but have no affiliation with the Government of Burkina Faso, have set up sites to resemble that of the Embassy of Burkina Faso. The correct web address for the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington DC is www.burkina-usa.org; the site for Burkina Faso’s Permanent Mission to the UN is www.burkina-onu.org.