Burundi no longer requires short-stay visas from nationals of COMESA member countries.
This October 31st, Bujumbura, the capital of Burundi, is hosting the 23rd Summit of Heads of State and Government of COMESA (Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa).
During his inauguration as President of the COMESA Conference, Burundian President Évariste Ndayishimiye announced a historic measure for the region’s citizens, namely a visa waiver for nationals of member countries.
Explaining that his commitment to fulfilling his mission as President of the COMESA Conference would be unwavering, Évariste Ndayishimiye announced that “to facilitate the free movement of goods and people within COMESA, starting today, Burundi will exempt all nationals of member countries from the short-stay visa requirement”.
Mon engagement sera sans faille dans l’accomplissement de cette noble mission.
— SE Evariste Ndayishimiye (@GeneralNeva) October 31, 2024
Afin de faciliter la libre circulation des biens et des personnes au sein du COMESA, à partir d’aujourd’hui, le #Burundi exemptera le visa court séjour à tous les ressortissants des pays membres. https://t.co/NrJDjC1cYu
This decision by the President of Burundi comes at a time when many African countries are aiming for greater economic integration to stimulate development and prosperity. Reducing mobility restrictions for nationals of the region promotes commercial cooperation, increases intra-African tourism and facilitates interaction between populations.
20 COMESA countries exempt from Burundi visa requirements
COMESA, with its 21 members, represents a significant share of the African market, including economies such as Egypt, Kenya and Ethiopia. The abolition of short-stay visas will reduce administrative and financial obstacles for travellers, creating a favorable environment for regional business and cultural initiatives.
Here is the list of the 20 COMESA member countries whose citizens no longer need a short-stay visa to travel to Burundi as of today:
- Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Rwanda, Seychelles, Somalia, Sudan, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
By initiating this exemption, Burundi is demonstrating its commitment to a policy of openness and regional cooperation, facilitating the movement of citizens in the spirit of African integration.
Burundi offers e-visa to international travelers
Since March 2024, foreign visitors arriving in Burundi via Bujumbura’s Melchior Ndadaye international airport can apply for an electronic visa (e-Visa).
The e-Visa application must be submitted on the Commissariat Général des Migrations (CGM) portal: migration.gov.bi.
In just a few minutes, an entry visa is sent by e-mail, and must be presented upon entry in Burundi, along with an affixation fee of US$70, or the equivalent in Euros.
In addition to this procedure, all travelers must complete a digital declaration of entry on the CGM portal.
