Entry requirements · Burkina Faso

Traveling to Burkina Faso

What to do before you leave, checked against official sources.

Visa
Embassy visa
Yellow fever vaccine
Required
Safety
Areas to avoid

Yes, you need a visa

With a US passport, apply for your visa at the embassy or consulate before you leave.

Visa issuance suspended for US citizens since December 30, 2025 (reciprocity), with some exceptions.

Our advice: apply one to two weeks before you leave, even if the answer often comes sooner.

Apply on the official site

Entry and visa

Travel advised against, visa depends on your nationality, travel form
  • The French foreign ministry (France Diplomatie) strongly advises against all travel to Burkina Faso. The country broke off diplomatic relations with France on June 26, 2026.
  • For French travelers: the French embassy and consulate general in Ouagadougou are closed.
  • Whether you need a visa depends on your nationality. Check with the passport selector above or on the official portal visaburkina.bf.
  • If you need a visa: since February 1, 2023, the preferred route is to apply online at visaburkina.bf. Print the e-visa and show it on arrival.
  • If you live in France: France Diplomatie also mentions the option of applying at the Consulate General of Burkina Faso in Paris, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to noon, with collection 72 working hours after you apply. Check that this service is still running since relations were broken off.
  • Our advice: apply one to two weeks before departure, even though the answer often comes faster. A rejected document or a blocked payment can hold everything up.
  • Since April 8, 2026, you must also fill in an online travel form before every entry and every exit, at fichedevoyage.gov.bf.
  • Your passport must be valid for more than 6 months on your departure date. Your yellow vaccination card is checked at the airport.

Checked on October 17, 2026 · Source: France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Entry and stay (updated September 15, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Latest updates (June 27, 2026, updated July 17, 2026), eVisa Burkina, official portal

Health

Yellow fever mandatory, very limited medical care
  • The yellow fever vaccine is mandatory to enter Burkina Faso, from the age of 9 months and wherever you arrive from. Get it at least 10 days before departure at an approved center; the certificate may be checked at the border.
  • Reminder: since 2016, a single dose is valid for life for most adults, and so is the certificate (WHO). A second dose is recommended before a new trip if you were vaccinated before the age of 2, during pregnancy, or if you are living with HIV or a weakened immune system. Keep your yellow card (international certificate of vaccination) with your passport, and ask the vaccination center if you are unsure.
  • Bring your routine vaccinations up to date. Hepatitis A is recommended. Hepatitis B, rabies, typhoid, dengue and chikungunya are worth discussing depending on your stay.
  • Meningitis causes an outbreak every year, usually from January to June. The meningitis ACWY vaccine is recommended for a stay in the dry season, and trips with young children are best avoided.
  • Malaria circulates all year throughout the country. See a doctor about preventive treatment and protect yourself from mosquitoes. Any fever during your trip or within 3 months of your return means seeing a doctor right away.
  • Emergency care is extremely limited. Most medicines can be found in Ouagadougou, far fewer in the provinces: bring your treatment in its original packaging with the prescription.
  • Drink only bottled water with an intact seal, filtered water or boiled water. Insurance covering medical costs and repatriation is essential.

Checked on October 17, 2026 · Source: France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Health (updated September 15, 2026), Institut Pasteur, Burkina Faso page

Money

CFA franc, fixed rate with the euro
  • The currency is the CFA franc (XOF), issued by the BCEAO and shared by the eight WAEMU (UEMOA) countries.
  • Its exchange rate with the euro is fixed: 1 euro = 655.957 CFA francs.
  • Avoid bank ATMs and Orange Money kiosks at night. Keep your passport, cash and cards separate.
  • Be wary of requests for money online: scammers pose as relatives or produce fake official documents.

Checked on October 17, 2026 · Source: BCEAO, history of the CFA franc, France Diplomatie, Overview of Burkina Faso (updated May 22, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Security (updated September 15, 2026)

Safety

All travel to the country strongly advised against
  • The French foreign ministry (France Diplomatie) strongly advises against all travel to Burkina Faso. The whole country is red on the map, including Ouagadougou and its surroundings, the national parks and the reserves.
  • Burkina Faso broke off diplomatic relations with France on June 26, 2026.
  • For French travelers: the French embassy and consulate general are closed. French nationals in the country may face movement restrictions and risk arrest or detention.
  • The terrorist threat is very high, as is the risk of kidnapping and murder. Armed groups are active in the north, east, west, southwest and border areas.
  • The road between Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso is strongly advised against: fly instead. Driving at night is particularly dangerous. If you are attacked or assaulted, do not resist.
  • Avoid gatherings, do not go out alone on foot or by bike after dark, and vary your routes.
  • Useful numbers in Ouagadougou: police 17, fire department 18, highway robbery attacks 1010.
  • Also check your own government's travel advice, which may be stricter.

Checked on October 17, 2026 · Source: France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Security (updated September 15, 2026, map of March 4, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Latest updates (June 27, 2026, updated July 17, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Useful contacts (updated September 15, 2026)

On the ground

French is official, type C/E plugs, GMT
  • French is the official language.
  • Type C and E plugs, 230 V and 50 Hz.
  • Burkina Faso is on GMT (UTC+0) all year: one hour behind Paris in winter, two hours in summer.
  • The dialing code is +226.
  • For French travelers: a French license is accepted for stays of less than 4 months.
  • Never ride in the back of a pickup truck.
  • Ask people's permission before photographing them, and stay away from official buildings such as barracks and police stations.
  • Using cannabis or any other drug is an offense punishable by 1 to 6 months in prison. Hunting is to be avoided.

Checked on October 17, 2026 · Source: France Diplomatie, Overview of Burkina Faso (updated May 22, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Useful information (updated September 15, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Security, WorldStandards, Burkina Faso: plugs and voltage, timeanddate, time in Ouagadougou

When to go

Dry, cooler season from November to February
  • Reminder: France Diplomatie strongly advises against all travel to Burkina Faso, whatever the season.
  • From November to February, the season is dry and cooler, around 25 °C on average.
  • March to May is the hot season, with 40 to 45 °C.
  • The rainy season runs from May or June to September or October, around 28 °C on average.
  • Meningitis circulates mainly from January to June. The national holiday is December 11 (proclamation of the Republic).

Checked on October 17, 2026 · Source: France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Useful information (updated September 15, 2026), France Diplomatie, Burkina Faso, Health, France Diplomatie, Overview of Burkina Faso

Rules can change without notice: before you leave, always check with the embassy of Burkina Faso and your own government's travel advice.

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