Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 60 Months
B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D N/A N/A N/A
C-2 None Multiple 3 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
C-W-1 None Multiple 12 Months
C-W-2 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 12 Months
F-2 None Multiple 12 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 12 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 12 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 12 Months
M-2 None Multiple 12 Months
N-8 None Multiple 12 Months
N-9 None Multiple 12 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 12 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

ALL /

Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

ALL / ALL /

General Documents

There is no general document information

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees:  US 50 cents/300 CFA stamp (timbre communal) is required for each original.

Document Name: Extrait d'Acte de Naissance

Issuing Authority: Service d’Etat Civil (Office of Vital Statistics)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Format varies from one office to another/issued on regular white A4 paper. Older formats exist and may vary. There is a paper stamp (timbre communal), similar to a US postage stamp, which is available locally. It is affixed most of the time at the bottom of the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies by office. Officer d’Etat Civil will be the most common title.

Registration Criteria: Birth must be registered with 90 days to be issued a regular birth certificate. After that deadline, a “jugement suppletif” is issued after a court hearing.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Service d’Etat Civil in the City Hall having jurisdiction over their place of birth.

Certified Copies Available: Photocopies légalisées are available at a Police Station or the Mayor’s Office and cost US 35 cents/200 CFA  (One timbre fiscal).  

Alternate Documents:  

  • A “jugement suppletif” which is issued by the courts if a birth is not registered within 90 days
  • Some older documents may be issued with the previous countries name of “Haute Volta”
  • Bulletin de Naissance are older versions of Extrait d’Acte de Naissance. It is possible some town halls may still issue these
  • Copie Integrale d’Acte de Naissance

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: US 50 cents/300 CFA stamp (timbre communal) is required for each copy.

Issuing Authority:  Service d’Etat Civil (Office of Vital Statistics)

Special Seal(s)/Color/Format: Varies/ issued on regular A4 most of the time, may be issued on half of the page. There is a paper stamp (timbre communal), similar to a US postage stamp, which is available locally. It is affixed most of the time at the bottom of the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies by office. Officer d’Etat Civil will be the most common title.

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Service d’Etat Civil in the City Hall of the place of death.

Certified Copies Available:  Photocopies légalisées are available at the Police Station or Mayor’s Office and cost US 35 cents/200 CFA (One timbre fiscal).  

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions:  None

Comments: None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificate

Available

Fees: 50 US cents/300 CFA stamp (timbre communal) is required for each copy.

Document Name: Extrait d'Acte de Mariage

Issuing Authority: Service d’Etat Civil (Office of Vital Statistics)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White A4 paper. Other formats may exist, depending on the office issuing the document. There is a paper stamp, similar to a US postage stamp, which is available locally. It is affixed most of the time at the bottom of the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies – Depending on official who perform the civil ceremony. Could be the Mayor, a Deputy Mayor or one of the numerous advisors.

Registration Criteria: Marriage is registered on the day it takes place.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Service d’Etat Civil in the City Hall having jurisdiction over their place of marriage.

Certified Copies Available: Photocopies légalisées are available at the Police Station or Mayor’s Office and cost US 35 cents/200 CFA  (One timbre fiscal).  

Alternate Documents: Copie Integrale d’Acte de Mariage

Exceptions: None

Comments: While these documents are presumably available, applicants may be faced with long wait times, especially if the documents needed are from outlying districts.

 

Divorce Certificate

Available

Fees: Cost varies depending on length of judgement.

Document Name: Jugement de Divorce

Issuing Authority: Court office having jurisdiction over their place of marriage.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular white A4 paper is used. Usually issued in 2 or 3 pages.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Judge for the decision and Greffier for the administrative parts.

Registration Criteria: Divorce is registered on the day the court issues the decree.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Court having jurisdiction over their place of marriage or any court place of their place of residence.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies of the judgement can be obtained from the issuing court; long wait times are common.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: The judgement of adoption is issued at the end of the process; to obtain a copy of the record, see below Court Records below, to obtain a birth certificate see above.

Issuing Government Authority: Court having jurisdiction over child/parents residence.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White A4 paper printed front and back. Usually 3 to 4 pages long with  paper stamps (timbre communal), similar to a US postage stamp, attached to each page.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: A Judge and a Greffier (clerk).

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

Procedure for Obtaining: Document is issued at the end of the adoption process. This finalizes the adoption process.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Documents Available:  There are no other documents available

Identity Card

Available

Fees: US $5/2500 CFA

Issuing Government Authority: Office of National Identification (ONI)

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 2.5 inch x 1.5 inch card with digitized photograph and signature.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: ONI

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants are required to submit their birth certificate and fill out a form.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Other Documents Available: There are no other documents available.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police / Prison Records

Available

Fees: US 50 cents/300 CFA stamp (timbre communal) is required for each copy.

Document Name: Extrait du Casier Judiciaire

Issuing Authority: Palais de Justice and / or Appeals Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Generally a green copy – white copy issued to those born abroad.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Greffier en Chef

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • Burkinabe born citizens – Apply to the Palais de Justice in the city having jurisdiction over their place of birth.

  • All other applicants – Apply to the Appeal Court in Ouagadougou. All applicants must submit a written request. The request must contain a copy of the applicants’ birth certificate and a timbre fiscal (stamp).

Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Court Records

Available

Fees: The fee depends on the size of the record.

Document Name: There is no specific document name

Issuing Authority: Palais de Justice and / or Appeals Court

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: A Judge and a Greffier (clerk).

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Written request from the appropriate court.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies of the judgement can be obtained from the issuing court; long wait times are common.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: While court records are available, a long wait time is usually involved. Record keeping and filings are not generally computerized.

Military Records

Available

Fees: There are no fees

Document Name:

  • Military : Carte d’Identité Militaire (CIM)
  • Gendarme: Carte d’Identité Professionnelle (CIP)

Issuing Authority:

  • Military: Bureau Militaire (Military Bureau)
  • Gendarme: Head of the Gendarmerie

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format:

  • Military: Wet seal at the back/folded document/brownish color.
  • Gendarme: Dry Seal / white color/ 2 sides card for the gendarmes.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title:

  • Military: Head of the Unit in which the applicant served.
  • Gendarme: Head of the Gendarmerie

Registration Criteria:  

  • Military: Any active military personnel are issued the card automatically as part of his identification documents.
  • Gendarme: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:

  • Military: There is no specific procedure.  The correct document issued to any individual who completed the basic military training, is enrolled, and active in the military.
  • Gendarme: The applicant should contact the Head of the Gendarmerie with their request.

Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies available.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.): Regular

Fees:  Passport - $90 US/50,000 CFA

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority: Office of Migration

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Passports are 32 pages, approximately 5 inches by 3.5 inches, with a green colored cover.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: National Police Director or his Deputy.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should apply with supporting documentation (photos, birth certificate, proof of Nationality (certificate issued in Court), and marriage certificate (if a woman wishes to include her husband’s name).

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments:  Another travel document used in Burkina Faso, an ECOWAS travel document for travels to ECOWAS countries is available, but is not used for Immigrant Visa purposes.

Other Records

Education - Although public education records are generally considered reliable, national standardized tests results are considered the most reliable records; private school documents are not always reliable.  Students must take a standardized test to obtain a diploma: primary (CEB), junior secondary (BEPC) and senior secondary (BACC).  Although the Ministry of Education records these results, verification must be made through the section of the Ministry responsible for each exam (Circonsciption de l’Enseignement de Base, Office Central des Examens et Councours du Secondaire and Office du BAC, respectively.)

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Embassy

Address:

Mailing Address:

01 B.P. 35
Ouagadougou 01
Burkina Faso

Street Address:

Secteur 53, Ouaga 2000
Avenue Sembene Ousmane, Rue 15.873
 

Phone Number: Tel: (226) 25-49-53-00, Fax: (226) 25-49-56-28

Email: Consularouaga@state.gov

Visa Services: All visa catagories for Burkina Faso

Comments / Additional Information: None

Travelers to Burkina Faso can apply for their visa at the nearest Burkina Faso Foreign Mission abroad. The validity and cost are based on current reciprocity agreements. For travelers who arrive in Ouagadougou without a visa, they can request one on arrival at the airport. That visa is usually limited to one (1) entry, three (3) months and costs more than one that is issued in a Foreign Mission (depending on reciprocity again). Travelers requiring a multiple entries visa will need to pay a higher fee. Travelers need to submit 3 ID photographs and pay the fees. Passport with visa is ready for pick up 72 hours later.  Visa is issued by the Immigration Office in charge of passports.

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Burkina Faso.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.