Burundi, an enclaved country famous for its production of coffee, is located in the Great Rift valley, a location the African Great Lakes and East Africa meet. This article shows the guideline on how to obtain a visa to Burundi.
WHAT IS A BURUNDI VISA?
A Burundi visa is an authorization given to a foreigner that permits him or her to enter or stay in Burundi. It is usually stamped on a passport. Travellers who own a diplomatic visa are allowed to get their visa on arrival because they will stay a maximum of thirty days.
TYPES OF BURUNDI VISA
- Tourists visa
- Business visa
- Transit visa
TOURISTS VISA:
This is a visa given to people visiting Burundi, permitting them to stay in the country for a maximum of ninety days. In Nigeria, it takes about fifteen days to process a tourist visa.
During this period, a person with a tourist visa is :
- Allowed to visit relations and friends and even attend occasions.
- Persons with this visa in Burundi must take with them a valid passport.
- Visitors are expected to leave the country before his or her visa expires.
REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A TOURIST VISA
A passport
People intending to visit Burundi must send in an original and recently taken passport
This passport must:
- Be signed
- Have a page that contains your personal information.
- Include a blank page
- Not be torn, changed, or separated.
Recently taken passport sized photograph :
Visitors seeking to stay in Burundi must send in two passports like photographs of themselves. Both pictures must be identical and recently taken. This photograph must not be the same one used in the passport. Persons taking a photograph must not wear an eyeglass or a head covering except for religious reasons.
This photograph must:
- Be shot using a white background only
- Have a two inches height and a two inches width
- Display the entire front view of the person.
Health certificate:
You are expected to provide a certificate of vaccination against Yellow fever.
Visa application form:
You are expected to submit two copies of your visa application form.
This form must:
- Be appropriately filled
- Contain your name in full
- Contain your signature
- Be signed using only blue or black ink.
Proof of accommodation:
You must provide a document or letter from any hotel you wish to stay in Burundi. This letter must show the hotel booked, the guest’s name, and the date the hotel was reserved. This letter must be written on the hotel’s letterhead and must contain the hotel authorities’ signature.
Submission of itinerary:
You should submit a copy of the travel agency’s planned route, showing the time and date of departure and arrival, with your name in the display.
If you are a minor, you must provide:
- A birth certificate must contain your name and the names of your parents.
- A letter of consent from your parents giving you permission to travel.
- If the child is traveling with one parent, the letter of content must show that the other parent is aware and has given consent to travel
- In cases where the parents or a parent is dead, a death certificate must be provided.
BUSINESS VISA
This type of visa is given to persons visiting Burundi for business purposes. For the period of time you are spending in Burundi using this visa, you cannot be given employment. Persons with this type of visa must specify who sponsors their trip
REQUIREMENTS FOR OBTAINING A BURUNDI BUSINESS VISA
A passport:
People intending to visit Burundi must send in an original and recently taken passport
This passport must:
- Be signed
- Have a page that contains your personal information.
- Include a blank page
- Not be torn, changed or separated.
Recently taken passport-sized photograph
Visitors seeking to stay in Burundi must send in two passports like photographs of themselves. Both pictures must be identical and recently taken. This photograph must not be the same one used in the passport. Persons taking a photograph must not wear an eyeglass or a head covering except for religious reasons.
This photograph must:
- Be shot with a white background only
- Have a two inches height and a two inches width
- Display the entire front view of the person.
Health certificate:
You are expected to submit a certificate of vaccination against Yellow fever.
Visa application form:
You are expected to submit two copies of your visa application form.
This form must:
- Be appropriately filled
- Contain your name
- Contain your signature
- Be signed using only blue or black ink.
Letter of invitation:
You must provide a letter from the company you are visiting, confirming that they have invited you. This letter must be written with letterhead from the company. This letter must contain the address of the company and the reason you will be visiting. If the reason you are visiting is to attend a conference or meeting, then you must get an invitation letter from the Burundian company hosting the conference
Consent letter from your employer:
You must submit a letter from your employer showing that he or she is aware of your trip and has permitted your travel.
If Self employed:
- You must provide proof, such as your business registration certificate and MOA.
- You must provide an updated version of your bank statement and must have the bank seal on it.
- You must show proof of tax payment for the last three years.
If retired:
You must show proof such as pension books.
TRANSIT VISA
This visa is used for persons who want to stop at Burundi before heading for a third destination. This visa can be used for a maximum of three days.
There are other Burundi visas such as the student visa, parent visa, spousal visa, and temporary worker visa.
STUDENT VISA
A student visa is a type of visa which allows a foreigner to temporarily migrate to Burundi to study in the country. The holder of this visa is allowed to work or do any legal thing which can serve as a financial support system.
ELIGIBILITY FOR THIS KIND OF VISA
- You must provide an acceptance letter which shows that you have been offered a course to study in an institution.
- You must show proof that you have enough funds to support yourself for the period you will be spending in the country.
- You must provide proof of full tuition payment.
- You must arrange for private medical insurance, and the proof must be provided.
- You must make arrangements to return to your country after the completion of your course.
BURUNDI VISA APPLICATION
Visit the Burundi embassy in your country with the required items. The embassy consul General will ask you questions like;
- Reasons for visiting Burundi
- Duration you intend to stay there
- The validity of your passport
- How you plan on supporting yourself throughout your stay there.
You must answer correctly. Thereafter, you would be guided on the steps to follow.
BURUNDI VISA FEES
It takes about 200 USD to acquire a visa to Burundi
BURUNDI VISA APPLICATION ONLINE
Choose a trusted visa Agency online. Example; ivisa.com, VisaHQ, timbu.com, travisa.com, or any other travel agency you know.
- Place your order
- Fill out the forms
- Follow the Agency’s instructions
- Pay your fees with your credit card or the pay pal
- Upload your documents for processing
- Your documents will be verified and submitted
- Wait for your visa
- Your visa will be delivered to you for some agencies, while for others, you will need to go down to the embassy to obtain your visa.
WHAT IS SINGLE AND MULTIPLE ENTRY?
If ‘single entry’ is marked your visa, it means you are allowed to enter and leave Burundi just once, but if ‘multiple entries’ is marked on your visa, it implies you can enter or leave Burundi more than once. That is why it is important to know the type of entry allowed.
PEOPLE EXEMPTED FROM BURUNDI’S VISA POLICY
The following can visit Burundi without a visa:
- Citizens of The Diplomatic Republic of Congo
- Citizens of Rwanda
- Citizens of Kenya
- Citizens of South Sudan
- Citizens of Uganda
- Citizens of Tanzania
- People who own a diplomatic passport of Brazil
- People with a diplomatic passport of Russia
- People with a diplomatic passport of China
- People who own a public passport of China
COVID-19 GUIDELINES FOR THOSE TRAVELLING TO BURUNDI
- Get tested one to three days before you travel
- Do not continue your travel if you are sick, awaiting a result, or tested positive for the virus.
- Wear a mask when traveling
- Wash your hands regularly and make use of the hand sanitizer
- Ensure you stay at least six feet away from people
- Make a plan concerning your health ahead of time in case you fall. I’ll go to Burundi.
- Avoid touching your nose, eyes, and mouth as much as possible.
- When you get to Burundi, get tested again and isolate yourself for seven days
- If your test shows positive, remain indoors to avoid further spread of the virus
- Consult medical personnel if you notice any Covid-19 symptoms