Does Burundi Require a Visa for South Africans in 2026?

Quick answer: South African citizens should plan to obtain a visa for Burundi unless Burundi immigration confirms that a current exemption applies to their passport and purpose of travel. The available 2026 research lists Burundi tourist visas as required, while also reporting that a visa may be available on arrival; the U.S. Department of State lists a tourist visa as required and says visa on arrival is available.

For a short holiday, the practical options to verify are an online visa application before departure or a visa on arrival. The research does not provide a South African-specific official fee or processing guarantee, so confirm the current price, procedure and eligibility on Burundi’s official immigration portal or with the Burundi diplomatic mission before paying or flying.

Last checked August 2026 — always confirm with official sources before travelling.

Burundi visa requirements for South African citizens

South African travellers should distinguish between nationality, passport type and travel purpose. A South African ordinary passport used for tourism is not the same case as a diplomatic or service passport, a work assignment or a long-term stay. Burundi’s entry decision is made by its immigration authorities, and a visa or travel authorisation does not itself guarantee admission.

South Africa’s Department of International Relations and Cooperation advises South Africans to check with the relevant foreign representative or travel agent before every trip because visa requirements can change. DIRCO also warns that incorrect compliance or overstaying can result in consequences including prosecution, imprisonment, deportation or being blacklisted.

For context, SafariFind also covers nationality-specific comparisons such as whether Emirati citizens need a Burundi visa in 2026. Those rules should not be substituted for the requirements that apply to a South African passport.

Visa types and who needs one

Tourist or visitor visa

A tourist visa is the relevant category for a holiday, wildlife trip or other short visit. The U.S. Department of State’s Burundi information page states that a tourist visa is required and that a visa on arrival is also available. If you are planning a safari, compare safari packages on SafariFind after confirming that your entry documents cover every country on your itinerary.

Do not assume that a visa issued for tourism permits employment, study, residence or other paid activity. DIRCO specifically advises South Africans to obtain the appropriate work, study or residence permit before travelling when that is the real purpose of the trip.

Online visa or eVisa

Available research identifies Burundi’s migration portal, migration.gov.bi, as the official online application route and describes an online short-stay visa process. Because the portal’s rules, nationality list and payment requirements can change, use the official government site directly and confirm that South African ordinary passport holders are currently eligible before submitting an application.

Visa on arrival

Visa on arrival is reported as available by the U.S. Department of State. That statement does not establish the exact border, nationality conditions, fee, documents or whether airline staff will require pre-authorisation. Ask Burundi immigration or the nearest Burundi mission whether arrival issuance is available for your route and passport before relying on it.

Transit and longer stays

A traveller who leaves the airport during a connection may need a transit or entry visa, while a traveller entering Burundi for work, study or residence needs the corresponding permit rather than a tourist visa. The available visa guidance describes a transit visa as permitting a short stopover of up to 48 hours, but this information comes from the Burundi Embassy in Türkiye and should be reconfirmed for an application made in South Africa.

How to apply for a Burundi visa from South Africa

1. Confirm the current route

Start with Burundi’s immigration portal and the Burundi diplomatic mission responsible for South African applicants. Confirm whether you should apply online, submit an embassy application or use visa on arrival. Also confirm whether your nationality, passport type, arrival airport and purpose of travel qualify for the selected route. DIRCO recommends checking directly with the foreign representative because requirements can change.

2. Prepare your passport

Your passport should have at least six months of validity and at least one blank visa page, according to the U.S. Department of State’s Burundi entry information. Check the expiry date and available pages before booking non-refundable travel.

3. Gather supporting documents

The Burundi Embassy in Türkiye’s published visa requirements list two completed and signed application forms, two recent colour passport photographs, a valid travel document with minimum six-month validity, a return ticket or travel-agency letter, and a copy of a yellow-fever vaccination certificate.

The same guidance separates supporting evidence by purpose: official business applicants may need a government or company letter or note verbale; visitors may need an invitation from family or friends; and tourists may need hotel reservation proof. The exact document list for South African applicants may differ, so treat this as a preparation checklist rather than a nationality-specific guarantee.

• South African passport meeting the validity and blank-page requirements.
• Completed and signed visa form or online application, if required.
• Recent colour passport photographs where requested.
• Return or onward travel evidence.
• Hotel booking or invitation letter, depending on the visit.
• Yellow-fever certificate copy where required by the application or border authorities.

Burundi’s requirements can include health documentation connected to your route. For a broader comparison of certificate rules, see SafariFind’s guide to what vaccinations Burundi requires for Emiratis in 2026; apply the advice to your own itinerary only after checking an official health or immigration source.

4. Submit carefully

Enter your name, passport number, date of birth and travel dates exactly as shown in your passport. Upload clear documents in the format and size accepted by the official portal. Save the application reference, payment receipt and approval email, and carry a printed copy of any approval when you travel.

Burundi visa fees and payment

The published Burundi Embassy in Türkiye schedule lists US$90 for a single or multiple-entry visa valid for up to 90 days, and US$40 for a transit visa. However, this is not a South African mission fee schedule, and the research does not confirm that the same amounts apply to every nationality, application channel or visa-on-arrival case.

Item	Amount or position	What South African travellers should do
Single or multiple-entry visa	US$90 in the published Türkiye embassy schedule	Confirm the current South African fee on the official portal or with the Burundi mission.
Transit visa	US$40 in the published Türkiye embassy schedule	Confirm whether your transit requires a visa and whether this fee applies.
Online or arrival processing	Not confirmed by an official South African-specific source	Confirm the current fee before payment.

Pay only through the official application channel or instructions supplied by the Burundi mission. Avoid third-party websites that add service charges or present themselves as government portals. If the portal displays a different amount from the embassy schedule, follow the current official instruction and retain evidence of the quoted fee.

Processing times and visa validity

The Burundi Embassy in Türkiye states a standard processing time of seven days after receipt of an application. A separate travel-information source reports three business days for an eVisa, but that is not an official Burundi diplomatic source and should not be treated as a guaranteed South African processing time.

Apply early enough to allow for document corrections, requests for additional information, weekends, public holidays and airline checks. If the official portal does not publish a current processing time for South African applicants, confirm the current estimate rather than relying on a fixed number.

The U.S. Department of State confirms the passport requirements but does not state the validity period of a Burundi visa on its country page. The Türkiye embassy guidance says its single or multiple-entry visa is valid for up to 90 days, while a separate travel-information source describes a 30-day eVisa and maximum stay. These figures conflict, likely because they refer to different products or procedures. Confirm the validity, permitted stay, number of entries and start date printed on your own approval before travelling.

On arrival: what immigration may check

Carry your passport, visa approval or arrival-visa documents, return or onward ticket, accommodation evidence and yellow-fever certificate if applicable. The published visa checklist specifically includes travel evidence, accommodation or invitation evidence and a yellow-fever certificate copy.

Immigration officers may assess whether your documents match your declared purpose and itinerary. A visa does not guarantee entry; DIRCO states that the final admission decision remains with the foreign country’s immigration officials. Do not hand over your only original documents except when an authorised official requests them, and keep digital backups securely accessible.

Transit, extensions and overstays

For an airside connection, ask the airline whether you will remain in the international transit area and whether your onward destination requires a separate visa. If you intend to pass immigration, collect baggage, change airports or stay overnight outside the airport, confirm Burundi’s transit or entry requirement in advance. The available guidance says passengers who remain in the airport transit area with confirmed onward travel may be treated differently from passengers who leave that area, but the applicable decision is made by border authorities.

Do not assume that a tourist visa can be extended or converted after arrival. Ask Burundi immigration about an extension before the authorised stay expires, and obtain written confirmation of any approved change. Overstaying can expose a traveller to serious consequences under DIRCO’s warning.

Common mistakes and possible refusal problems

• Relying on an outdated visa-free claim: online travel pages may conflict with official guidance. The U.S. Department of State currently lists a tourist visa as required, while DIRCO tells South Africans to verify directly before each trip.
• Using the wrong application channel: confirm whether your route is online, embassy-based or arrival-based before paying.
• Insufficient passport validity: Burundi’s listed requirement is at least six months, with one blank visa page reported by the U.S. Department of State.
• Missing itinerary evidence: the published checklist asks for a return ticket or travel-agency letter and tourists may need hotel reservations.
• Unclear accommodation: visitors may need an invitation letter, while tourists may need hotel proof.
• Ignoring health-document rules: the published checklist includes a yellow-fever certificate copy.
• Assuming processing is guaranteed: published processing times differ between sources and are not confirmed as South African-specific.
• Confusing visa validity with permitted stay: check the number of entries and authorised stay on the issued document, especially because published sources describe different periods.

Practical pre-departure checklist

• Verify the current requirement with Burundi immigration or the relevant Burundi mission.
• Confirm the correct visa category for tourism, business, transit, work, study or residence.
• Check that your passport has at least six months’ validity and one blank visa page.
• Prepare photographs, travel evidence, accommodation or invitation proof and health documentation where requested.
• Confirm the current fee and processing time on the official channel before payment.
• Carry printed and digital copies of your approval and supporting documents.
• Recheck requirements shortly before departure, because entry rules can change.

Visa and health rules are separate from safari planning. Once your route is confirmed, compare suitable safari packages and check whether park fees, transfers and accommodation are included in the package you select.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do South African citizens need a visa for Burundi?

Yes, South African citizens should currently plan on needing a Burundi visa for tourism. The U.S. Department of State lists a tourist visa as required, while also reporting that visa on arrival is available; confirm the current rule with Burundi immigration before travelling.

Can South Africans get a Burundi visa on arrival?

A visa on arrival is reported as available for Burundi. The available source does not confirm the exact conditions for South African passport holders, so verify the eligible border, documents and fee before relying on this option.

Can South African citizens apply for a Burundi eVisa?

An online Burundi visa route is reported through migration.gov.bi. Confirm on the official portal that South African ordinary passport holders are eligible and check the current document, payment and processing requirements before applying.

How much is a Burundi visa for South African citizens?

The published Burundi Embassy in Türkiye schedule lists US$90 for a single or multiple-entry visa and US$40 for a transit visa. It does not confirm a South African-specific fee, so confirm the current amount on the official portal or with the Burundi mission.

How long does a Burundi visa take for South Africans?

The Burundi Embassy in Türkiye publishes a standard processing time of seven days after receiving an application. A separate source reports three business days for an eVisa, but no official South African-specific processing guarantee is provided; confirm the current estimate before booking.

How long must my South African passport be valid for Burundi?

Your passport should be valid for at least six months, and the U.S. Department of State reports that one blank visa page is required. Check both before applying or travelling.

What documents do South Africans need for a Burundi visa?

The published checklist includes a completed application, two colour passport photographs, a passport with at least six months’ validity, return-ticket evidence, a yellow-fever certificate copy and accommodation or invitation evidence. Confirm the current list for South African applicants because embassy requirements can vary by application route.

Do I need a yellow-fever certificate to enter Burundi from South Africa?

The published Burundi visa checklist asks applicants for a copy of a yellow-fever vaccine certificate. Whether it is checked for your specific route can depend on travel history and current health rules, so confirm with Burundi immigration or an official health authority before departure.

Can I use a Burundi tourist visa for work or study?

No, you should obtain the appropriate work, study or residence permit for those purposes rather than relying on a tourist visa. South Africa’s DIRCO advises travellers to apply for the correct permit before travelling when work, study or residence is the real intention.

Does a Burundi visa guarantee entry for South Africans?

No, a visa does not guarantee entry. DIRCO states that admission remains the decision of immigration officials in the destination country, so carry evidence supporting your purpose, accommodation and onward travel.