Safety notice: parts of Burundi
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) advises against all travel to the communes of Mugina, Cibitoke, Bukinyayana, Bubanza and Mpanda in Bujumbura Province, because a rebel group is reported in Kibira National Park and armed incursions from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) are possible. It also advises against all travel to parts of Ntahangwa commune, specifically the RN5 road north of Melchior Ndadaye International Airport towards Cibitoke and the area west of the Rusizi river towards the DRC border, including Rusizi National Park. In Butanyerera Province it advises against all travel on the RN6 and RN10 roads running west from Kayanza through Kibira National Park. The FCDO page was still current on 5 November 2026.
The US State Department rates Burundi Level 3, Reconsider Travel. Its advisory lists Cibitoke and Bubanza provinces and Kibira National Park as Level 4, Do Not Travel, along with the former Central Market on Chaussee Prince Louis Rwagasore in Bujumbura. Canada advises avoiding non-essential travel to Burundi. The Rwanda border is closed, the DRC border area is unstable and fuel shortages are common.
Read the current US advisory, the UK travel advice and the Canadian advice before you plan anything. Travel insurance may not cover travel against official advice.
Last checked: November 2026
Most travellers need a visa to enter Burundi, plus a yellow fever vaccination certificate and a passport valid for at least six months. You can apply online through the government’s migration portal or through an embassy, and some sources mention visa on arrival. Confirm which option applies to you before you fly.
Who needs a visa for Burundi?
The UK government’s entry guidance says British travellers must have a visa to visit Burundi. Travel-information sites say the same for most other nationalities, including travellers from the United States, Canada, Australia, India, China and Schengen countries. Citizens of East African Community countries can enter without a visa, according to those sites, but rules differ by passport and purpose of travel. Confirm yours with the Burundian embassy or the government’s migration portal.
How to apply for a Burundi visa
- Online: several sources name migration.gov.bi as the government’s official e-visa portal. A few look-alike sites exist, so follow the link from a Burundian embassy or government page, and never pay a third party that is not clearly an agent.
- Embassy: apply at a Burundian embassy or consulate. The embassy lists a visa form, a valid travel document, passport photographs and a copy of your passport.
- At the airport: some sources describe a visa on arrival at Bujumbura airport, while others advise against relying on it. Do not plan on it without written confirmation from the authorities or your airline.
We do not list a visa fee here, because we could not confirm a current figure from an official Burundian source. Read the portal or embassy page for the fee and processing time.
Passport rules and documents
- A passport valid for at least six months after arrival, according to the US and UK guidance
- At least one blank page, according to UK and US guidance
- Your visa approval or visa
- An onward or return ticket, according to the Government of Canada
- Proof of where you will stay
- Your yellow fever certificate
The US State Department also lists a currency restriction of US$10,000 for entry. Declare larger sums.
Yellow fever and health requirements
The UK government says you must have a certificate proving yellow fever vaccination to enter Burundi. The US State Department says the vaccine is required for travellers aged nine months and older. Keep the certificate with your passport. The FCDO has also added information on an Ebola outbreak declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo on 15 May 2026, so check its health page. Ask a travel health clinic about malaria prevention and other vaccines.
Border checks and entry points
The only international airport is Melchior Ndadaye International Airport in Bujumbura. The FCDO says the Rwanda border is closed, the DRC border area is unstable, and the Tanzania border continues to operate normally, although fuel shortages may limit transport. Checkpoints and roadblocks are common, so carry your passport and visa at all times.
Overstays and extensions
Your visa sets how long you can stay. To stay longer, contact the immigration authorities in Bujumbura before your permission ends. We could not confirm an official extension procedure online, so check with the authorities rather than relying on informal advice.
Common visa mistakes
- Using an unofficial website to apply.
- Assuming visa on arrival is guaranteed.
- Arriving without a yellow fever certificate.
- Travelling on a passport with less than six months left.
- Planning routes through areas that governments advise against.
FAQs
Can I get a visa on arrival in Burundi?
Some sources describe it, but others advise against relying on it, and we found no official Burundian page that confirms who qualifies. Apply in advance, or get written confirmation from the authorities before you fly.
Do children need the yellow fever vaccine?
The US State Department says the vaccine is required for travellers aged nine months and older. Check the rule for your child’s age with a travel health clinic, and carry the certificate.
Can I enter Burundi by land from Rwanda?
Not at the moment. The FCDO says the Rwanda border is closed. The Tanzania border is operating normally, although fuel shortages may limit transport. Check current border news before you travel. The flights to Burundi guide and the getting around Burundi guide explain how to arrive and how to move around once you are in.