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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Burkina Faso citizens need a visa for United States?

Visa required

Burkina Faso citizens need a visa to enter United States. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
Burkina Faso → United States
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Burkina Faso vs United States: passport comparison

Burkina Faso

30

visa-free countries

Global rank: #154 · mobility 80.5

United States

116

visa-free countries

Global rank: #40 · mobility 166.1
14

countries both Burkina Faso and United States can enter visa-free together

Burkina Faso + United States: passport compatibility

28%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Burkina Faso and United States travel together — by entry type:

14 both visa-free
17 both visa on arrival
15 both e-visa / eTA
10 both need a visa
141 access differs

Where Burkina Faso and United States can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Both visa-free (14)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Where to apply: United States missions in Burkina Faso are not accepting applications

The missions formally exist but are not scheduling visitor-visa interviews, so filing locally is not possible. Below are the nearest countries that do accept applications, with distances.

1
Togo 480 km
Applications accepted in: Lome
2
Ghana 481 km
Applications accepted in: Accra
3
Benin 534 km
Applications accepted in: Cotonou

Distances are measured between country centroids — a rough guide, not a route. Before you travel, confirm with the chosen consulate that it accepts applicants resident elsewhere: many operate a consular district, and out-of-district applications are not always accepted, often with a longer queue.

US visa refusals for Burkina Faso citizens

The US State Department publishes the refusal rate for B visas (tourism and business) separately for each nationality. We took the two most recent fiscal years — so you see not just the level, but which way it is moving.

71.3%
of B-visa applications from Burkina Faso citizens were refused in FY2025
+40.0 pp above the all-country median (31.3%)
+13.2 pp year-over-year: FY2024 was 58.0%, now 71.3%
#11strictest of 197 countries
141of 197 countries saw refusals rise year-over-year

The “adjusted” refusal rate follows the State Department methodology used for the Visa Waiver Program: it covers B-1/B-2 visas (tourism and business) and no other categories. For countries with few applicants the percentage swings between years — an artefact of small numbers, not of policy. The median and rank are our own calculations on top of the official figures. Source: U.S. Department of State  ·  All countries →

How long the interview queue is in Burkina Faso

Even when a visa is available in principle, everything comes down to the appointment. The State Department publishes the wait until the next free slot at every consulate — we broke that down by country.

No appointments
US consulates in Burkina Faso are not scheduling visitor-visa interviews
You will need to apply in a third country Appointments are open at consulates in other countries, though queues for out-of-district applicants are usually longer. Check neighbouring countries in the full table.

Snapshot of State Department data taken July 2026. Waits shift weekly with consular workload — check the official figure before you apply. Mapping consular posts to countries and picking the best wait per country is our own work. Source: U.S. Department of State

How the entry rule changed: Burkina Faso → United States

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Burkina Faso → United States rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

0passports gained easier entry to United States
1passports saw United States tighten its rules
1rule changes for the Burkina Faso passport, 1 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

United States: good to know

Washington, D.C.

Capital

US Dollar (USD)

Currency

Eastern Time (UTC-5)

Time zone

+1

Calling code

A, B

Power plug

120V / 60Hz

Voltage

Right-hand

Driving side

Where else Burkina Faso goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for United States

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Burkina Faso citizens need a visa for United States?
Burkina Faso citizens need a visa to enter United States. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Burkina Faso or United States?
The United States passport is stronger: 116 visa-free countries versus 30. Global rank: Burkina Faso #154, United States #40.
Where can Burkina Faso and United States citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 14 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for United States?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Burkina Faso and United States?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Burkina Faso passport ranking

Where else the Burkina Faso passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport