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Burundi Visa for United Kingdom Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

UK citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport for around USD 90, valid for a 30-day stay, with payment accepted in USD cash.

Guide last updated October 5, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, with a blank page for the visa stamp
  • Completed arrival visa form (usually handed out on the plane or at the immigration desk)
  • USD cash to pay the visa fee (card payment is not reliably available)
  • Proof of accommodation and return/onward ticket may be requested
  • Passport photo is not usually required for the visa-on-arrival process but is useful to carry just in case
  • No biometrics taken beyond a photo/fingerprint scan at the immigration desk in some cases
  • Proof of yellow fever vaccination is required and checked on arrival
  • Travel health insurance strongly recommended given limited medical facilities

Visa types

  • Tourist visa on arrival: single entry, valid for up to 30 days, fee approximately USD 90
  • Business visa on arrival: similar validity, may require a local contact or invitation letter, fee broadly similar to the tourist visa
  • Multiple-entry or longer-stay visas are not typically available on arrival and must be arranged through the Burundian embassy in advance if needed

Visa on arrival

  • Visas on arrival are issued at Bujumbura International Airport (Melchior Ndadaye International Airport)
  • Complete the arrival visa form, present your passport, yellow fever certificate, and pay the fee in USD cash
  • Officers may ask about your accommodation and purpose of visit; have a hotel booking or invitation letter ready
  • Queues can be slow, especially when multiple flights land close together, so allow extra time after landing
  • Keep small USD bills, as change is not always readily available at the counter

Fees & processing time

  • Visa fee: approximately USD 90 for a single-entry 30-day tourist or business visa, payable in cash USD
  • No VFS/BLS fee since this is issued directly by Burundian immigration at the airport
  • Processing time: typically 15-30 minutes per traveler at the immigration desk, longer during busy periods
  • No official express/priority lane is advertised for visa-on-arrival travelers
  • Total cost estimate: USD 90 visa fee plus any incidental costs for forms or photocopying if needed

Tips for United Kingdom travelers

  • Carry exact or close-to-exact USD cash, since officers may not always have change
  • Make sure your yellow fever vaccination certificate is valid and easily accessible, as entry can be refused without it
  • Check current FCDO travel advice before booking, as security conditions in parts of Burundi can change
  • If possible, pre-arrange an invitation letter or hotel confirmation to speed up questioning at the immigration desk
  • For stays beyond 30 days, you'll need to apply for an extension at the immigration office in Bujumbura before the visa expires

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

More visa guides for United Kingdom passport holders

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.