Visas

The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.

See our Directory of Visa Categories on usvisas.state.gov to determine which visa category might be appropriate for your purpose of travel to the United States.

On October 26, 2021, U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou resumed full visa operations.  Please note the details below:

  • Routine nonimmigrant visa services resumed on October 26. Online appointments are open for all types of nonimmigrant visa types.  Applicants can now schedule a visa interview by following the instructions on our website: ustraveldocs.com/bf.
  • Please note that scheduling capacity is limited. As a result, applicants may encounter significant wait times for visa interview appointments.  Applicants who previously paid the visa application processing fee but were unable to schedule a visa appointment because of the suspension of routine consular operations may schedule and attend a visa appointment with no additional payment required.  For processing fees paid between March 20, 2020, and October 25, 2021, the U.S. Mission will extend the payment validity (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023.  Fees paid on or after October 26, 2021, are valid for one year from the date of purchase.  Previously paid MRV fees may only be used to schedule an interview appointment in the country where the fee was originally paid.
  • For all issues related to scheduling a nonimmigrant visa appointment with a current and valid MRV, receipt please contact support-burkinafaso@ustraveldocs.com; do not contact the Embassy.
  • If you are having issues printing the payment slip to take to UBA bank please click here for guidance.
  • Important note for students: As of October 26, 2021, all students must schedule their visa appointment online.
  • Important note for official / diplomatic visa applicants: Official visa applications (A, G visa types) can be dropped off on Fridays from 8:00 am to 10:00 am. Please contact OuagaNIV@state.gov for questions and clarification.  Official visa applicants must have the following: a valid passport, travel orders, a diplomatic note signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or international organization employer, the confirmation page of the DS-160, and a U.S. passport-style photograph.
  • Important note on the DS-160: Please submit a new DS-160 with a recent photograph if your previous DS-160 was completed more than 6 months ago.  Scheduling an appointment with an outdated DS-160 will lead to delays.

When coming for a nonimmigrant visa interview, please present the following items:

  1. An updated DS-160 (filled and submitted less than 6 months ago)
  2. Your appointment page
  3. Your MRV receipt
  4. Your passport
  5. A recent passport photograph (the photo must be 2 inches by 2 inches, taken on a white background – please see photo requirements here)

If you are a student or are participating in an exchange program, please also include the following documents:

  1. Your signed I-20 or DS-2029
  2. Your SEVIS payment receipt (when applicable)
  3. You may bring supporting documentation with you, but do not present any additional documents unless requested by the interviewing officer
  • Immigrant visa services have resumed. We are processing all types of immigrant visas, including V92. If you have a pending V92 case at the Embassy, you may send an email to OuagaIV@state.gov to verify the application status and any next steps.
  • If you were previously contacted regarding a DNA test or have a pending file and need further clarification, please send an email to OuagaIV@state.gov for further guidance.

Nonimmigrant Visas

Travel to the United States on a temporary basis, including tourism, temporary employment, study and exchange.

Immigrant Visas

For foreign citizens who want to live permanently in the United States.

A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.

Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States.

(Note: U.S. citizens don’t need a U.S. visa for travel, but when planning travel abroad may need a visa issued by the embassy of the country they wish to visit.).

To contact a customer service representative, please visit the Global Support Services Contact Us page for full information or use contact information below:

  • Email: To reach a customer service representative via email, please write to support-burkinafaso@ustraveldocs.com
  • Telephone: Please contact a customer service representative using one of these telephone numbers:
    • Callers in Burkina Faso: (+226) 25-30-00-86
    • Callers in the United States: Call 1 703-520-6209

The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States.  We are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known.  Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.

We promise to you, the visa applicant, that:

  • We will treat you with dignity and respect, even if we are unable to grant you a visa.
  • We will treat you as an individual and your case as unique.
  • We will remember that, to you, a visa interview may be a new or intimidating experience and that you may be nervous.
  • We will use the limited time available for the interview to get as full a picture as possible of your travel plans and intentions.
  • We will use our available resources to fairly assist all applicants to get appointments to allow travel in time for business, study, and other important obligations.
  • We will post detailed and accurate information on visa requirements and application procedures on every Embassy and Consulate website.
  • We will provide information on non-immigrant appointment waiting times at every Embassy and Consulate posted on http://travel.state.gov.
  • We will explain the reason for any visa denial to you.

Furthermore, if you are a:

  • Student, we will make every effort to ensure that you get an appointment and, if qualified, a visa in time to start classes.
  • Medical and humanitarian emergency traveler, we will expedite processing for those dealing with life threatening emergencies.
  • Business traveler, we will establish appropriate mechanisms to facilitate business travel and expedite cases of particular concern to American business.

At the same time, we expect you, the visa applicant, to:

  • Plan your travel and visa application as far in advance as possible.
  • Complete your application fully and accurately.
  • Be forthcoming about your purpose and plans.
  • Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.