GoBurundi Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

According to the laws of Burundi, foreigners must apply for visas when applying for residence, temporary residence, entry and transit in Burundi. Chinese citizens holding a valid ordinary passport of the People's Republic of China for diplomatic, official or public service purposes who enter, exit or transit Burundi and stay for no more than 30 days from the date of entry are exempt from visas. Chinese citizens holding regular passports can log in before entering the country https://migration.gov.bi/Apply/step1/8 Apply for a visa on arrival, or through the Embassy of Burkina Faso in the local area or the Embassy of Burkina Faso in China (Address: No. 25 Guanghua Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing, Phone: 65321801, 65322328, Email:) ambbubei@yahoo.fr ）Apply for the corresponding visa before entering the country.

Foreigners applying to enter Burundi need to fill in the entry application card online（ https://migration.gov.bi/Form_Entry_Exit_New ）Externally, valid identification documents (passport) and health certificates must be presented, along with a certificate of vaccination against yellow fever. Entry can only be granted after verification by the border. Foreigners must strictly abide by local laws and regulations during their stay in Brazzaville. It is strictly prohibited to engage in illegal arms and drugs trade, and bear the obligation to protect wildlife. They are not allowed to buy and carry ivory, rhinoceros horn and other wild animals and plants and their products into, out of and through the country.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

1. Customs

Burundi Customs is subordinate to the Ministry of Finance and is responsible for handling the entry and exit procedures of people and goods at ports, airports and borders. Burundi's tariff consists of three parts: customs statistics tax, transaction tax and a certain amount of import tax (the tax rate varies with different commodities).

2. Animal and plant inspection and quarantine

Import and export commodities shall conform to Burundi commodity standards and quality inspection standards. For imported livestock, meat, and meat products for slaughter (excluding canned meat weighing up to five kilograms), as well as salted, dried, frozen, and smoked fish, a health and quarantine certificate issued by a veterinarian is required. Imported live plants and seeds require relevant certificates in plant pathology.

3. Financial regulatory regulations

Implement foreign exchange controls. According to the regulations, enterprises set up by foreign companies in Burundi must apply for the establishment of foreign currency accounts and foreign currency and local currency convertible accounts at the Central Bank of Burundi if they are involved in foreign exchange exit.

Residency and Naturalization

naturalization

According to the Nationality Law of Burkina Faso:

1. Those who meet one of the following conditions at birth have Bu nationality: they were born legally, their father had Bu nationality at the time of birth, or their father had passed away at birth but still held Bu nationality at the time of death, regardless of whether they were born in Bu or not; I am an illegitimate child, and my father son blood relationship has been voluntarily recognized, legalized, or legally recognized. If my father has Bu nationality, regardless of his mother son blood relationship, I have Bu nationality; I am an illegitimate child and my father son relationship is not established. My mother son blood relationship has been voluntarily recognized or legally recognized. If my mother has Bu nationality, I have Bu nationality; My father denies any father son relationship with me, and if his mother had Bu nationality at that time, I would have had Bu nationality.

2. Those who meet one of the following statutory inferences shall have the nationality of Brazzaville: born in Burundi, parents have no available data; Abandoned infants discovered in Bu; A minor whose father (or mother, if the father son relationship is not determined) is a person who has obtained or regained Bu nationality.

3. The spouse is from Burundi, and I can declare the nationality of Brazzaville through marriage, but only through a valid marriage can I obtain the nationality of Brazzaville.

4. Applicants for citizenship must meet the following conditions: the applicant must be at least 21 years old at the time of application; If both the child and parents apply, the child's age must not exceed twenty years old. Behave properly and have no negative behavior or criminal record. Love Burundi and be able to integrate into it. Residing in Bu for more than ten years; If I am the spouse of a Burundian national or have professional skills in Burundi, I can settle down for five years.

5. All citizens of Burkina Faso have the right to obtain dual citizenship based on the status granted by law. Bu citizens with dual nationality can enjoy consular protection abroad.

residency

Foreigners who plan to work and live in Burundi for a long time shall apply for a residence visa to the Burundian Immigration Bureau after entering the country. To apply for a residence visa, applicants need to submit application letters, passports, work certificates, accommodation certificates, and other documents. After submitting the materials to the reception desk of the immigration bureau, the immigration bureau will notify the parties by phone within a few days to go to the immigration bureau for evidence collection. Based on experience, the parties involved should proactively inquire about the situation, otherwise your application will go unanswered.

The risk level of Burundi is yellow (medium risk).                                            

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reminded Chinese citizens in Burundi to pay close attention to the local security situation, increase vigilance, strengthen prevention and pay attention to security. In case of emergency, please report to the police in a timely manner and contact the Chinese embassy or consulate in the local area.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas embassies and consulates will continue to closely monitor changes in the overseas security situation, dynamically adjust relevant risk assessments, and release and update corresponding security reminders in real time on platforms such as the China Consular Service Network. Please continue to pay attention.

public security

Since its independence, there have been multiple military coups and ongoing ethnic conflicts. The 13 year long civil war that began in 1993 resulted in over 300000 deaths and 800000 people being displaced. Before and after the 2015 general election, the domestic political and security situation remained volatile, with continuous demonstrations and violent conflicts. After the new government came to power in 2020, although the situation has improved to some extent, violent conflicts, assassinations, attacks, and missing persons still occur from time to time. In 2023, there were incidents such as tourists being attacked and robbed, and local police unreasonably entering and inspecting personnel in Bu.

natural disaster

Excessive rainfall during the rainy season often causes mudslides and landslides in rural areas; There are no major natural disasters except to some extent affected by the El Ni ñ o phenomenon.

FDA

The local hygiene conditions in Bu are poor, with many flies and mosquitoes. It is recommended that travelers only drink bottled beverages (including water) or boiled water, do not add ice cubes or consume raw seafood, do not consume semi cooked meat or dairy products, only eat hot and cooked foods, and fruits must be peeled to avoid contamination. Do not randomly beat and kill insects that bite your body, otherwise their venom may damage your skin.

Urgent Help

Fire and ambulance: 113

Bandit police: 413

Consular protection hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Burundi: (00257)-79990410

24-hour hotline for Consular Protection and Services of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: 0086-10-12308, 0086-10-65612308

air traffic

Bu is a landlocked country, with overseas personnel mainly traveling by air and goods mainly transported by land. At present, the airlines flying to Burundi mainly include Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Belgium Brussels Airlines, Rwanda Airlines, Tanzania Airlines, etc.

At present, there is only one airport in the country, which is the International Airport of Burundi. You can take a taxi to travel between the airport and the city, and it takes 20 minutes from the city center to the airport.

land transport

There is no railway in Burundi, and people mainly travel by car. The main road network in Bu consists of national highways and provincial or secondary roads, with the capital serving as a transportation hub. The territory is mostly mountainous, requiring high driving skills.

water communication

The main waterway is Lake Tanganyika, with a total length of 175 kilometers. The main route runs from Lake Tanganyika to Kigoma Port in Tanzania, and then transfers to the railway to reach Dar es Salaam Port, with a total length of 1428 kilometers. The main port is the Port of Burundi, with a 500 meter long dock that can accommodate 5 cargo ships at the same time, resulting in extremely low throughput.

Urban transportation

Due to the backwardness of the economy, many people commute to work on foot. Buses are mainly small passenger cars, with taxis and no subway. In addition to providing public transportation services, car companies (all privately owned) also offer car rental services.

major city

In December 2018, Burundi established Bujumbura as its economic capital and Kitaga as its political capital. Burundi is the largest city in the country, located in western Burundi, on the northeast coast of Lake Tanganyika, facing the city of Uvira in the Sud Kivu province of eastern Congo across the lake. Bushi has the lowest terrain in the country, with an average altitude of about 820 meters, an area of 110 square kilometers, and a population of 1.3 million (in 2023), accounting for 11% of the total population of the country. The city was first established as a military stronghold by German colonizers in the 18th century, and later expanded into a trading hub. It was officially founded in 1896. After the First World War, Belgium took over Burundi and moved its capital from Gitega in the central part of the country to Bujumbura. Kitaga is a city in central Burundi and the capital of Kitaga Province. It is located in the east of Bujumbura, at an altitude of 1504m, with a population of 130000 (2020).

Burundi is the national economic, military, and cultural center, with a total of three administrative districts: NTAHANGWA, MUKAZA, and MUHA. Burundi is a national transportation hub for water and land, with roads leading to various provinces. National Highway 1 runs north from Burundi, passing through Rwanda and Uganda to Mombasa Port in Kenya, with a total length of 2025 kilometers. It is the main channel for importing goods into Burundi; The Port of Burundi is the first port along Lake Tanganyika. It is located 175 kilometers south of Lake Tanganyika and leads to Kigoma Port in Tanzania. The 1428 kilometer long railway provides access to the Port of Dar es Salaam, which is the main channel for exporting goods from Burundi; Burundi Airport is the only international airport in Burundi, with direct flights to Addis Ababa, Nairobi, Kigali, Dar es Salaam, Brussels and other destinations. Kenya Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Rwanda Airlines, Tanzania Airlines and other companies have regular international flights to and from Burundi.

The city of Burundi is relatively small in scale, surrounded by mountains on three sides and water on one side. The peaks are lush with green flowers, and the scenery is beautiful. Lake Tanganyika, the world's second deepest water lake, is also a great place for leisure and tourism.

Commodity prices

1. Main products

The main grain crops include corn, rice, beans, potatoes, bananas, etc. The main economic crops include coffee, tea, cotton, etc. The main mineral deposits include nickel, tantalum iron, cerium, vanadium, tin, tungsten, gold, peat, kaolin, etc.

2. Price situation

The import and export of cloth goods, as well as domestic transportation, rely almost entirely on road transportation, so prices are directly linked to international oil market prices.

3. Currency and exchange rate

The legal currency of Burundi is the Burundian franc, which is a non convertible currency. The exchange rate is about 2849 francs per US dollar (November 2023).

4. Main taxes and tax rates

It includes five categories: physical tax, income tax, livestock tax, transaction tax, and withholding tax. The tax categories directly related to industrial and commercial enterprises (including private enterprises) and individuals are business tax (transaction tax), income tax, value-added tax, inheritance tax, lease tax, and service tax.

5. Banking and Financial Services

Banks can engage in mutual financing business. The financing conditions for enterprises can be negotiated and determined with banks. However, Burundi is seriously short of funds, and the potential risk of bank loans is large. Therefore, banks have set higher loan interest rates to control and avoid risks. At present, local banks have not established and opened credit card settlement services, and credit card consumption or cash withdrawal is not available in local commercial institutions.

Insurance Medical

1. Medical conditions

The medical conditions in Bu Hospital are poor and the medical level is relatively backward. Due to low wages, many doctors in public hospitals leave Burundi to work in other countries or open their own clinics. Especially after the implementation of the policy of free medical treatment for children under 5 years old in public hospitals and free delivery services for mothers, the number of patients has seriously exceeded the hospital's capacity, and there is a severe shortage of medical personnel and equipment.

2. Medical insurance

Implement a system of free medical care to varying degrees, using medical mutual aid funds and medical certificates. All military personnel receive medical treatment free of charge, while civilians receive partial free medical care. Public officials pay a certain percentage of their monthly salary to the mutual aid fund.

3. Common diseases and treatments

Common diseases include malaria, AIDS, schistosomiasis, hepatitis, cholera, etc. The national AIDS infection rate is 0.9%. The Chinese government has sent medical teams to Burundi to carry out foreign aid medical tasks at the Prince Regent's Hospital in the capital, the Kitga Provincial Hospital, and the Mubangda Hospital that we have built. By July 2023, this is the 22nd batch of medical teams to carry out foreign aid medical tasks in Burundi.

4. Contact information of major hospitals in the capital

Burundi Ministry of Public Health and AIDS Prevention and Control: 00257-22256035

Prince's Hospital: 00257-61428488

Military Hospital: 00257-22232844

Swiss Hospital (KIRA): 00257-22255000

5. Hotel Restaurant:

At present, the main hotels are:

Tanganyika Lake Club Hotel: https://www.hotelclubdulac.com/en/home-EN/

Kiriri Garden Hotel: http://www.kiririgardenhotel.com/

The main Western restaurants are: Belv é d è re, Botanika, Chez Andre

The main Chinese restaurants are: Dynasty Restaurant

Customs taboos

1. Holidays and festivals

There are a total of 14 statutory holidays in Burkina Faso, including New Year's Day (January 1), Unity Day (February 5), the day of the assassination of President Ntaryamira (April 6), Easter (around April 20), Labor Day (May 1), Ascension Day (40 days after Easter), Pentecost (the seventh Sunday after Easter), Independence Day (July 1), Eid al Adha (also known as Eid al Adha, an Islamic holiday, with specific dates determined by the Islamic calendar each year), Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (August 15), assassination of Prince Ruwakasa (October 13), and assassination of President Ndadaye (October 13). Halloween (November 1st) and Christmas (December 25th). Every Saturday and Sunday is a day off.

2. Common Etiquette

The people of Burundi are warm and hospitable. When foreign leaders visit Burundi, there are always drums, dances and other warm and grand welcome scenes. People in Burundi are very polite. When the younger generation shakes hands with the elder, the lower level shakes hands with the higher level, and the people shake hands with officials, the former leans forward to show respect, holds the right elbow with the left hand, and gently shakes the latter with the right hand, which is very courteous and polite. If you haven't seen an acquaintance or close friend for a long time, gently hug each other and pat each other's shoulders and backs to show affection, regardless of gender. In rural areas of the mainland, Burundi people always greet foreigners in a friendly way and extend three fingers (index finger, middle finger and ring finger) to pay tribute, which means "unity, labor and progress".

3. Main customs and habits

(1) Cattle in Burundi do not work in servitude, but they play an important social role. The size of a herd of cattle not only represents the degree of wealth of people, but also symbolizes their social status. Those who have cows are respected, and the more cows there are, the more enviable they are. Cattle are still the best gift, often used as a betrothal gift from a man to a woman during an engagement. Stealing cows is a major taboo, and once discovered, severe punishment will be imposed. In addition, Burundi regards dogs as friends and prohibits killing them.

(2) Clothing. Women in Burundi usually wear bright clothes. The cloth for women is usually cut in pieces without sewing. It is a piece of clothing that is wrapped around the waist or draped on the shoulders.

(3) Funeral. Generally, the deceased is buried on the day of their death and is buried in the ground. According to local customs, when encountering a hearse on the road, pedestrians coming from the opposite direction must stand at attention, vehicles should stop, and those behind should not overtake, in order to express condolences for the deceased. Only after they have passed can they continue on their journey. Guests attending the funeral are not required to wear dark clothing, but can wear their favorite holiday attire.

(4) People in Burundi are fond of drumming. When there are major events, they should play drums to calm the atmosphere and show their dignity. Male drummers all go barefoot and dance while drumming. The female dancers are also barefoot, dancing to the sound of drums to reflect the scene of labor life, with a cheerful rhythm and beautiful dance moves. Burundi people are very talented in dancing and have a sense of music. They learned to dance since childhood. As long as the music sounds, men, women and children will dance with the music.

Communications Power

1. There are currently four mobile communication companies in Bu, which can basically cover the entire territory of Bu. The international long-distance telephone can reach all parts of the world, but because of the small capacity of the output channel with the international interface, the Internet speed is slow. Phone charges: Domestic calls are charged at 200 BRL per minute (approximately 0.11 USD), while international calls (to China) are charged at 300 BRL per minute (approximately 0.17 USD). (Due to different policies of various operators, this data is for reference only.)

2. The power plug is a European standard plug with a voltage of 220 volts and 50 hertz.

contact information