Burkina Faso entry requirements for Colombia passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 22, 2026·View sources
Visa on arrival
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked
Colombian passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Burkina Faso. You don't need to apply in advance — just show up at Ouagadougou Airport with the right documents and pay the fee. As of 2026, this is the standard entry method for Colombian citizens.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Visa on arrival Single entry, 30 days | Get your visa on arrival at Ouagadougou Airport. Pay the fee in cash (EUR or XOF) — around €70–€90 depending on nationality. Have a printed invitation letter or hotel booking ready; officers sometimes ask for it.Check visa portal | Required |
| Valid passport Must be valid for the entire stay | Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry. Airlines enforce this strictly — if your passport expires sooner, you'll be denied boarding. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Burkina Faso | Immigration officers routinely ask for a confirmed onward or return ticket. Without one, you risk being refused entry at the border. A printed itinerary or e-ticket works. | Required |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Have a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Officers at Ouagadougou Airport sometimes ask for it during visa-on-arrival processing. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Bank statement or cash | Carry a bank statement or enough cash (around €200–€300) to show you can cover your stay. Officers rarely check, but it's better to have it ready. | Recommended |
Security situation is volatile
Burkina Faso has a high risk of terrorism and kidnapping. Avoid travel to the northern and eastern regions. Even in Ouagadougou, stay alert and avoid large gatherings. Register with your embassy on arrival.
Cash is king at the airport
The visa fee must be paid in cash. ATMs in the arrivals hall are unreliable. Bring CFA francs, euros, or US dollars in small denominations. You can exchange money at the airport but rates are poor.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Ouagadougou Airport
After landing, follow signs to 'Visa on Arrival' or 'Immigration'. There's usually a dedicated counter. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation confirmation ready.
2
Fill out the visa application form
You'll be given a short form to complete. It asks for basic info: name, passport number, flight details, and where you're staying. Fill it out in capital letters.
3
Pay the visa fee
Pay at the designated cashier window. They accept CFA francs, euros, and sometimes US dollars. Keep the receipt.
4
Get your visa sticker
Hand your passport, form, and payment receipt to the immigration officer. They'll issue a visa sticker on the spot. Check that the validity dates are correct.
5
Proceed to passport control
With the visa in your passport, go to the main passport control queue. The officer will stamp you in. You're now cleared to enter Burkina Faso.
Download Burkina Faso Entry Checklist
PDF · Colombia Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 22, 2026
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay30 days, extendable 30 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~$100 USD (approx. 60,000 XOF)
Apply at Burkinabe embassy abroad; may allow longer stay than VoA.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay30 days per entry, extendable
Validity6 months
Cost~$200 USD (approx. 120,000 XOF)
For frequent travellers; must apply in advance.
work visa
Carte de Séjour (Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~$150 USD (approx. 90,000 XOF) plus employer sponsorship
For those with a job offer in Burkina Faso. Requires employer to sponsor and provide contract. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Carte de Séjour (Étudiant)
1 year, renewable
~$100 USD (approx. 60,000 XOF) plus proof of enrollment
For students enrolled at a recognized institution in Burkina Faso. Requires acceptance letter and proof of funds.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Visa on arrival (single entry)Payable in cash (USD or XOF) at the airport. | ~$100 USD (approx. 60,000 XOF) |
| Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap may apply; check with immigration. | ~$10 USD (approx. 6,000 XOF) |
Common reasons for entry denial
No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
Incomplete visa documents20%
Approval probability calculator
Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.
Transiting through Burkina Faso
No transit visa needed
Colombia passport holders transiting through Burkina Faso do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration. However, a visa on arrival may be required if leaving the airport.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsOuagadougou International Airport (OUA)
Health & vaccines for Burkina Faso
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from endemic countries; may be required for all entrants depending on current regulations.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialYellow FeverEssentialMalaria prophylaxisEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Mosquito-borne; risk in urban and rural areas.
Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk
Common; avoid tap water and street food.
Malaria risk: high
High risk throughout the country; CDC recommends prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline, or mefloquine).
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Ouagadougou
Direction Générale de la Police Nationale - Service des Étrangers
Avenue de la Nation, Ouagadougou
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and residency permits.
Bobo-Dioulasso
Commissariat Central de Police - Service des Étrangers
Rue de la République, Bobo-Dioulasso
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Regional office for visa-related matters.
Practical information for CO travellers
Country basics
CapitalOuagadougou
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US driver's license for up to 3 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 563.41 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage220V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male grounding pin)
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; use bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
The visa on arrival is typically valid for 30 days. You can extend it once at the immigration office in Ouagadougou for an additional 30 days. The extension costs around 10,000 CFA (about €15).
Yes, but it's less reliable than at the airport. Some land border crossings (like from Ghana or Togo) do issue visas on arrival, but others may not. If you're entering by land, it's safer to get an e-visa or visa in advance from the Burkina Faso embassy in Bogotá.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Airlines are required to check that you have an onward ticket. A refundable ticket booked and then cancelled after entry is a common workaround.
No, only cash is accepted at the airport. Bring CFA francs, euros, or US dollars. There are ATMs in the arrivals hall, but they may not always work. Better to have cash in hand.
No, because Colombia is not a yellow fever endemic country. But if you've traveled to a country with yellow fever risk (like Brazil, Peru, or most of sub-Saharan Africa) in the last 6 months, you'll need the certificate. Otherwise, you might be vaccinated on arrival at your own cost.
Burkina Faso has security risks, including terrorism and kidnapping, especially in the northern and eastern regions. Check your government's travel advisory before booking. If you do go, avoid non-essential travel outside Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, and register with your embassy.
Yes, you can extend it once for an additional 30 days. Go to the Direction Générale de la Documentation Nationale (immigration office) in Ouagadougou. Bring your passport, a passport photo, and the extension fee (about 10,000 CFA). The process takes a few hours.
Official sources
Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 22, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.