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U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS

U.S. Visas

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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 Y
 
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 One 3 Months
B-2 None One 3 Months
B-1/B-2 None One 3 Months
C-1 None One 3 Months
C-1/D N/A N/A N/A
C-2 None Multiple 3 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 None One 3 Months
CW-2 None One 3 Months
D None One 3 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None One 3 Months
F-1 None One 3 Months
F-2 None One 3 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 One 3 Months 3
H-1C None One 3 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A 3
H-2B None N/A N/A 3
H-2R None One 3 Months 3
H-3 None One 3 Months 3
H-4 None One 3 Months 3
I None One 3 Months
J-1 4 None One 3 Months
J-2 4 None One 3 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 One 3 Months
L-2 None One 3 Months
M-1 None One 3 Months
M-2 None One 3 Months
N-8 None One 3 Months
N-9 None One 3 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None One 3 Months 3
O-2 None One 3 Months 3
O-3 None One 3 Months 3
P-1 None One 3 Months 3
P-2 None One 3 Months 3
P-3 None One 3 Months 3
P-4 None One 3 Months 3
Q-1 6 None One 3 Months 3
R-1 None One 3 Months
R-2 None One 3 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 3 Months
T-3 None One 3 Months
T-4 None One 3 Months
T-5 None One 3 Months
T-6 None One 3 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None One 3 Months
U-2 None One 3 Months
U-3 None One 3 Months
U-4 None One 3 Months
U-5 None One 3 Months
V-1 None One 3 Months
V-2 None One 3 Months 8
V-3 None One 3 Months 8

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.

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  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.

 

 

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There is no general document information.

Birth Certificates

Available

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

Document Name: Extrait d'Acte de Naissance/ Bulletin d’Acte de naissance/ Jugement supplétif d’acte de naissance.

Issuing Authority: Service d’Etat Civil (Office of Vital Statistics) / Tribunal Communal de la mairie.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 

  • Formats may be different from one office to another
  • Issued on regular white A4 paper
  • There is a paper stamp (timbre communal) (similar to a US postage stamp) available locally. Most of the time it is at the bottom of the document.
  • Older formats exist and may be different.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies by office. The most common is Officer d’Etat Civil.

Registration Criteria: Births must be registered within 90 days for a regular birth certificate.

  • After that deadline, a jugement suppletif must be issued after a court hearing.

How to Obtain a Birth Certificate: 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. They cost US 35 cents/200 CFA (One timbre fiscal). 

Alternate Documents:  

  • A jugement suppletif is issued by courts if a birth is not registered within 90 days.
  • Some older documents may be issued with the Burkina Faso’s old name: Haute Volta.
  • Bulletin de Naissance are older versions of Extrait d’Acte de Naissance. It is possible that some town halls may still issue them.
  • Copie Integrale d’Acte de Naissance

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

 

Death Certificates

Available

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

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

Special Seal(s)/Color/Format: 

  • Formats may be different from one office to another
  • Usually issued on regular white A4 paper
  • May be issued on only one half of the page.
  • There is a paper stamp (timbre communal) (similar to a US postage stamp) available locally. Most of the time it is at the bottom of the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Varies by office. The most common is Officer d’Etat Civil.

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

How to Obtain a Death Certificate: Applicants should contact the Service d’Etat Civil, in the City Hall where the person died.

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

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Marriage Certificate

Available

Fees: 50 US cents/300 CFA stamp (timbre communal) 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: 

  • Formats may be different from one office to another
  • Usually issued on regular white A4 paper
  • There is a paper stamp (timbre communal) (similar to a US postage stamp) available locally. Most of the time it is at the bottom of the document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: It may be different, depending on the official who performed the civil ceremony. It may be the Mayor, a Deputy Mayor or one of the many advisors.

Registration Criteria: Marriages are registered on the day they take place.

How to Obtain a Marriage Certificate: Applicants should contact the Service d’Etat Civil in the City Hall with jurisdiction over the place of marriage.

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

Alternate Documents: Copie Integrale d’Acte de Mariage

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Comments: While marriage certificates should be available, applicants may be faced with long wait times, especially if the documents are from outlying districts.

 

Divorce Certificate

Available

Fees: Cost may be different, depending on the length of the judgement.

Document Name: Jugement de Divorce

Issuing Authority: Court office with jurisdiction over their place of marriage

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

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: 

  • Judge for the decision
  • Greffier for the administrative parts

Registration Criteria: Divorces are registered on the day the court issues the decree.

How to Obtain a Divorce Certificate: Applicants should contact:

  • The Court with jurisdiction over their place of marriage or
  • A court with jurisdiction over their place of residence

Certified Copies Available: Available but reissued by the courts. There may be a long wait for the service.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Available

Fees: The judgement of adoption is issued at the end of the adoption process.

  • To obtain a copy of the record, see the Court Records section, below.
  • To obtain a birth certificate see the Birth Certificate section, above.

Issuing Government Authority: The court with jurisdiction over the child/parents’ residence

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 

  • White A4 paper, printed on the front and back
  • Usually 3 to 4 pages long
  • There is a paper stamp (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.

How to Obtain an Adoption Certificate: The document is issued at the end of the adoption process. That makes the adoption process final.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Available

Fees:  $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 a digital photograph and signature.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Office of National Identification (ONI)

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

How to Obtain an Identity Card: Applicants must submit their birth certificate and fill out a form.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Police/Prison Records

Available

Fees: $1.20 /750 CFA payment is made with Orange Money

Document Name: Bulletin N. 3 du Casier Judiciaire

Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It has the signature of the Minister of Justice and a QR code on the left side.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Minister

Registration Criteria: It is made online.

How to Obtain Police Certificates and Prison Records:

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: Older green and white copies may still be accepted. Applications are made through the  Palais de Justice.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Comments: The document is only valid for 3 months.

  • Paper forms of the Police Certificate are also available but they are being phased out.
  • Police certificates, both electronic and paper versions, are considered reliable.

 

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 are no special seal(s), color or format.

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

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

How to Obtain Court Records: 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: There are no exceptions.

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/ two-sided 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: Active military personnel are issued the card automatically as part of their identification documents.
  • Gendarme: There are no registration criteria.

How to Obtain Military Records:

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

Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.

Alternate Documents: There are not alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Types Available: Regular, Diplomatic, Official)

Fees:  Passport - $90 /50,000 CFA (Biometric passport)

Document Name: Passport

Issuing Government Authority: Office of Migration

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Passports are 34 pages, approximately 5 inches by 3.5 inches, with a green colored cover.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: National Police Director or Deputy

Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.

How to Obtain Passports and Travel Documents: Applicants apply with these supporting documents

  • Photos
  • Birth certificate
  • Proof of Nationality (certificate issued in Court)
  • Marriage certificate (if a woman wishes to include her husband’s name).

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.

Exceptions: There are no exceptions.

Education:

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

Post Title: Embassy

Mailing Address:

4332 Blvd Eyadema, Cite OUA
BP 852,Lome, Togo

Street Address:

Boulevard Eyadema B.P. 852,
Lome, Togo

Phone Number: (228) 2261-5470

Email: ConsularLome@state.gov

Visa Services: All visa categories for Burkina Faso

Effective October 10, 2025, U.S. Embassy Ouagadougou temporarily paused all routine visa services.

  • Immigrant visas for Burkinabe nationals are processed at the U.S. Embassy in Lome. 
  • Immigrant visa applicants should review the U.S. Embassy Lome page for additional instructions. 
  • To request or confirm an appointment, applicants can contact the National Visa Center online, using the Public Inquiry Form.
  • Nonimmigrant visa applications from nationals of Burkina Faso should be made at the U.S. Embassy in Lome, or In another country where the national is a resident (If that has ongoing U.S. visa operations.) 
  • Applicants can find additional information about applying at the U.S. Embassy in Lome website. 
  • Remember: Application fees, once paid, are not transferrable or refundable.

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.