PassportSouth Africa

Trip checklist: Burundi

For South African passport holders. Last checked 5 October 2026.

Visa requirement

South Africans can get a visa on arrival in Burundi.

Permitted stay

You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Before you go

  • Passport validity

    At least 6 months after arrival, with 1 blank page.

  • How to apply

    Complete the online form at https://www.migration.gov.bi, print the approval email and present it on arrival. Fee USD 90, paid online or in cash on arrival.

  • Where South Africans apply

    Online at migration.gov.bi (contact@migration.gov.bi).

  • Accommodation or invitation

    Accommodation details, plus an invitation or company letter as applicable.

  • Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

    BURUNDI: yellow fever certificate REQUIRED for entry. RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA: Burundi is on South Africa's yellow fever risk-country list. South African Department of Health / DIRCO rules require every traveller over 1 year old (South Africans included) arriving from a risk country, or transiting a risk-country airport for more than 12 hours, to show a valid yellow fever certificate (vaccine at least 10 days before departure; certificates are valid for life). Without one you may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days.

  • Confirm with the embassy

    Rules change. Check the official source before you book.

Where to apply

  • UK FCDO https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi/entry-requirements

Research sources

  1. 1. UK FCDO (Other government, gov.uk) https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/burundi/entry-requirements
  2. 2. National Department of Health, South Africa (Other government, health.gov.za) https://www.health.gov.za/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/Protocols-for-Travellers.pdf
  3. 3. DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) (Other government, dirco.gov.za) https://dirco.gov.za/canberra/yellow-fever/
  4. 4. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_policy_of_Burundi
  5. 5. Wikipedia (Reference, en.wikipedia.org) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visa_requirements_for_South_African_citizens
  6. 6. The GSA (South African visa agency) (Commercial, thegsa.co.za) https://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/3137-burundi-country-guide

From doineedavisa.co.za/burundi. Always confirm with the embassy before you travel.