Burundi, also known as the Republic of Burundi is one of the smallest countries in Africa. It’s in between Rwanda to the north, Tanzania to the east and southeast, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west. It lies along Lake Tanganyika in the southwestern part.

Boasting with its wildlife and rich culture, Burundi deserves to be a part of your travel bucket list. However, there are things to consider before you can go here, one of the best examples is the visa. Yes, US citizens need to get a visa first before entering Burundi. But don’t worry, as we will list all the information that you need to be able to apply for a Burundi Tourist Visa.

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Facts about Burundi

Language

Burundi currently has 3 official languages: Kirundi, French, and English. However, Kirundi is spoken by the majority of the population and is recognized as the national language of the country. Mostly foreign people living in Burundi are the only ones who speak French and English as their first language. Burundians only speak those languages as their second language.

Currency

Burundian franc

Sales of coffee

Burundi has a lot of tea and coffee plantations.

Main Requirements in Applying for Burundi Tourist Visa

Note: You are not required to legalize a document when applying for a visa.

1. Passport (should be valid for 6 months after you depart)

2. Two visa application forms per applicant are required, legibly completed and signed.

3. A confirmed or unconfirmed round-trip ticket.

4. Two colored passport-sized photos. Staple the photos on the forms.

5. Proof of a yellow fever vaccine certificate (You can check here for the yellow fever vaccination clinics near you.)

6. A letter from the government/company (for a business trip)

7. An invitation letter by family members or friends (for visiting friends or relatives).

8. Proof of hotel reservation(s) (for tourists).

9. A prepaid, self-addressed, stamped, express-returned envelope (such as USPS, FedEx or UPS Envelope)

Visa Fee:

$90 USD: Single/Multiple entry visa (valid for up to 30 days)

$40 USD: Transit visa (a visa that allows you for a short stopover up to 48 hours)

All payments should be paid only by Money Orders or Cashier’s check and are non-refundable. Please remember to submit the exact amount of fee as there will be no refunds to applications submitted with an amount exceeding the official fees.

Processing time: Standard processing time is up to 15 days.

Note: All applicants must have an active email address and phone number for easy communication.

Important Things to Remember (Visa Policy)

Visa on Arrival

Unfortunately, the visa on arrival in Burundi is not available.

Transit:

All passengers who have an onward ticket for a flight to a third country must stay in the International transit area of the airport. You should have all the required documents for the next destination.

Visa exemption:

These are the list of countries that do not require a Burundi tourist visa and are allowed to stay for up to 3 months:

Democratic Republic of Congo
Rwanda
Kenya
South Sudan
Uganda
Tanzania

Diplomatic passport holders of Turkey and diplomatic and service category passport holders of Brazil, China, and Russia also do not require a visa.

Embassy in The United States

Embassy of the Republic of Burundi
Address: 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 408 Washington, DC 20007

Office hours:

Monday - Thursday (9:00 AM - 5:00 PM)
Friday (9:00 AM - 2 PM)

Public hours:

Drop off (9:00 AM - 1:00 PM)
Pick up (2:00 PM - 4:00 PM)

Email and contact number:
burundiembusadc@gmail.com
Tel: 202 342 2574
Fax: 202 342 2578

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I apply for a Burundi Tourist Visa?

Make sure you have the complete requirements stated above. When you have all the requirements with you, just head to the embassy and submit all of them. Please look at the schedule of the public hours for submitting (requirements) and picking up (the visa). Remember that the processing time will take up to 15 days.

2. Where to apply for a Burundi Visa?

Just go to the Burundi Embassy in the US. The address is 2233 Wisconsin Ave NW Suite 408 Washington, DC 20007.

3. When is the best time to apply?

Since the processing time is up to 15 days, it is advisable to apply for a visa at least a month before your departure. Also, please remember that your passport should be valid for 6 months after you depart, and it should have at least 1 blank page.

4. Is it safe to travel to Burundi?

Currently, the US government advises its citizens to reconsider travel to Burundi due to crime and political violence. However, if you still want to go to this country, there are precautionary measures to remember; Alone or not, try not to walk alone at night in Bujumbura, do not wander anywhere at night, and always carry your passport. There is still a lot to remember, but as a traveler, you should always keep in mind to be alert all the time.

For more information regarding safety measures in Burundi, you can check them here.

5. Should I get travel insurance before heading to Burundi?

For the above reasons, the answer to this question is yes. The US government encourages its citizens to have travel insurance before going to Burundi.

6. How to get there?

Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from the US to Burundi. However, there are available flights to Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, and Ethiopia going to Bujumbura International Airport. The airlines that are flying to Bujumbura are the following:

Ethiopian Airlines
RwandAir
Brussels Airlines
Air Tanzania
Kenya Airways

7. What transportation should I use to go around Burundi?

You can easily access taxis since they’re common in cities, especially in Bujumbura. For a cheaper price, you can take a tanus-tanus (truck taxis) however, they are often crowded. If you don’t like the idea of being in a crowded vehicle, you can take minibusses.

Out of all the options, the best one may be renting a car. Burundi is traffic-free which makes driving more comfortable.

8. How can I pay my expenses in Burundi?

The unit of currency in Burundi is Burundi franc. Some mid and top hotels accept US dollars, but local currency is always accepted. There are also some ATMs in Bujumbura that accept foreign Visa cards or Mastercard. If you’re outside the city, it is recommended to use cash. There are currency exchange bureaus around the Central market. It’s better to be sure.

9. Why should I visit Burundi?

Despite all the travel warnings and issues surrounding Burundi, you’d be surprised by how friendly and welcoming the Burundians are. In this country, you can experience adventures like visiting their beaches and lakes, going on the top of hills, or exploring their lush rainforests. This underrated country offers a lot to tourists. With their rich culture, you’ll get to see people there perform drumming (which is part of their cultural heritage), and the elegance of their dancers.

Burundi surely deserves a spot in your travel bucket list. Don’t think too much, apply for a visa, book a flight, and explore this small, but diverse country in Africa!

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