Your travel insurance could be invalidated if you travel against advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
\nFCDO advises against all travel to Burkina Faso.
\n\nThis is due to the threat of terrorist attacks and terrorist kidnap, and the unstable political situation in the country.
\n\nFind out more about why FCDO advises against travel.
\n\nThere is no British Embassy in Burkina Faso and all consular support is provided from the British Embassy in Accra, Ghana. They cannot provide in-person assistance.
\n\nIf there is serious violence, unrest or a deterioration in the security situation, it could be difficult to leave safely. Do not rely on the British government to evacuate you as they may not be able to do so. Have your own plans on how you would leave the country, make sure you keep all travel documentation up to date and monitor the local situation.
\n\nNo travel can be guaranteed safe. Read all the advice in this guide. You may also find it helpful to:
\n\nIf you choose to travel despite FCDO advice, research your destinations and get appropriate travel insurance. Insurance should cover your itinerary, planned activities and expenses in an emergency.
\n\nFCDO provides advice about risks of travel to help you make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice.
\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
\n\nThis information is for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK who choose to travel despite FCDO advice. It is based on the UK government’s understanding of Burkina Faso’s current rules for the most common types of travel.
\n\nThe authorities in Burkina Faso set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels.
\n\nYour passport must be valid for the duration of your stay and have 2 blank pages for entry stamps.
\n\nCheck with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.
\n\nYou will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.
\n\nWhen returning to the UK, British citizens must carry a valid British passport or certificate of entitlement. See Dual Citizenship.
\n\nYou must have a visa to enter Burkina Faso.
\n\nIf you live in the UK, apply for a visa online or through the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Brussels. You cannot get a visa for Burkina Faso in the UK.
\n\nThere are Burkinabe embassies in the West Africa region, including in Accra and Abidjan.
\n\nTo pass border control in Burkina Faso, you must have a certificate to prove you’ve had a yellow fever vaccination, due to a risk of yellow fever transmission.
\n\nFor more details about health entry requirements and recommended vaccinations see TravelHealthPro’s Burkina Faso guide.
\n","slug":"entry-requirements","title":"Entry requirements"},{"body":"There is a high threat of terrorist attack globally affecting UK interests and British nationals, including from groups and individuals who view the UK and British nationals as targets. Stay aware of your surroundings at all times.
\n\nUK Counter Terrorism Policing has information and advice on staying safe abroad and what to do in the event of a terrorist attack. Find out how to reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad.
\n\nTerrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in Burkina Faso.
\nSeveral terrorist groups operate in Burkina Faso, including Jama’a Nusrat ul-Islam wa al-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State.
\n\nThere is a high threat from terrorism throughout the country, including increasingly in the capital, Ouagadougou. Terrorist attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by foreign nationals, such as:
\n\nThere may be a heightened risk of attack during festivals, and religious and public holiday periods. Stay aware of your surroundings, keep up to date with local media reports and follow the advice of the local authorities.
\n\nThere are frequent attacks across Burkina Faso, particularly close to the borders with Mali, Niger and Côte d’Ivoire and in the eastern region.
\n\n\n\nExamples of significant attacks include:
\n\nThere’s a very high threat of kidnapping by Al-Qaeda and regional Islamic State-affiliated groups in Burkina Faso. These include Jamaat Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM) and Islamic State Greater Sahara (ISGS ), who operate throughout Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.
\n\nA number of foreign nationals have been kidnapped and killed in Burkina Faso in recent years, especially in the northeast of the country.
\n\nBritish nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release.
\n\nIf you’re working or travelling in Burkina Faso, you should be aware of the risk of terrorist kidnapping. You should maintain a high level of vigilance at all times, including when travelling. You should be particularly vigilant when walking in crowded public places, including camps for displaced people, religious gatherings and insecure spaces like places of worship, markets, shopping malls, hotels, bars, night clubs, restaurants, nature reserves and national parks, and transport hubs. You should avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.
\n\nThe long-standing policy of the British government is to not make substantive concessions to hostage takers. The British government considers that paying ransoms and releasing prisoners builds the capability of terrorist groups and finances their activities. This can, in turn, increase the risk of further hostage-taking. The Terrorism Act (2000) makes payments to terrorists illegal.
\n\nThe political situation also remains unstable following the military coup on 30 September 2022. Further coups are possible. If you choose to travel to Burkina Faso, you should remain vigilant and monitor local media.
\n\nThe government has declared a state of emergency in the regions of:
\n\nThe measure gives security forces extra powers to conduct searches, restrict freedom of movement and detain persons of interest. Some civil rights may be suspended, including the right to protest and to hold large meetings. The military takeover in neighbouring Niger in 2023 may lead to unrest or protests in Ouagadougou.
\n\nProtests are common in Burkina Faso. Avoid political rallies, gatherings and demonstrations. Crowds can gather quickly and may become violent. Foreign, national and local government facilities have been targeted and damaged in previous demonstrations.
\n\nMonitor the local news to help you avoid such gatherings. If you become aware of a crowd gathering, leave the area immediately.
\n\nThere is an increasing number of vehicle hold-ups on roads outside Ouagadougou. Drivers that refuse to stop when flagged down have been shot at.
\n\nArmed groups have also stopped drivers to rob passengers and their vehicles. Criminals have stopped public buses to assault and rob passengers, particularly at night.
\n\nStreet crime is a serious risk for foreign visitors. Most incidents are opportunist snatches of purses, wallets, jewellery and other valuables. Thieves are particularly active near the UN Circle and the former Central Market in Ouagadougou, and are often armed. Do not carry valuables in public places or walk alone at night.
\n\nKidnapping by criminal groups is widespread across Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso. There is a possibility that criminal groups could sell people they kidnap as hostages to terrorist organisations.
\n\nBritish nationals are seen as legitimate targets, including tourists, humanitarian aid workers, journalists and business travellers. If you are kidnapped, the reason for your presence is unlikely to protect you or secure your safe release. You should avoid regular patterns of travel and aim to only travel during daylight hours.
\n\nAlways carry your passport or residence permit.
\n\nRamadan is a holy month for Muslims. The dates vary by year and country. During this time, do not:
\n\nGet more advice when you arrive from your tour guide, hotel or business contacts.
\n\nDo not get involved in drugs of any kind. If you’re convicted of possessing or distributing any illegal drug, you can expect heavy fines and long jail sentences. Local prison conditions are harsh.
\n\nDo not take pictures of military or other government installations.
\n\nSame sex sexual activity and the ‘promotion’ of same-sex relationships is a criminal offence in Burkina Faso. If convicted, such charges could lead to prison sentences of up to 5 years.
\n\nThere is little to no public acceptance of LGBT+ people or identities in Burkina Faso. There is an increased risk of harassment or violence against anyone thought to be part of the LGBT+ community, or perceived to be supporting their rights.
\n\nRead more advice for LGBT+ travellers.
\n\nThere are strict customs regulations about taking cultural objects like masks, religious materials and antiquities out of Burkina Faso. If you’re unsure about buying any souvenirs you find for sale, contact the Ministry of Culture.
\n\nA few of the larger hotels and restaurants in Ouagadougou accept credit cards. You’re unlikely to be able to use them anywhere outside the capital. There are a few ATMs in Ouagadougou, but they only accept Visa cards.
\n\nThe best option is to bring US dollars in cash to exchange.
\n\nIf you’re planning to drive in Burkina Faso, see information on driving abroad.
\n\nGet security advice about travelling by road in Burkina Faso.
\n\nYou can use a UK photocard driving licence to drive in Burkina Faso. If you still have a paper driving licence, you may need to update it to a photocard licence or get the 1949 version of the international driving permit (IDP).
\n\nRoads, even if they are paved, are in a poor state of repair. Road conditions off the main roads are often difficult, especially in the rainy season from June to October. Vehicles are often in poor condition.
\n\nAvoid travelling at night, even if using a local driver. Roads have very limited lighting, and vehicles often have no headlights. Livestock, pedestrians and motorbikes on the roads are additional hazards.
\n\nAttacks on major roads and transport routes by terrorists are increasing, including through the use of landmines and other explosive devices. This is particularly the case in areas where terrorist groups are operational and near border areas.
\n\nThere is danger of armed attacks on all roads, including:
\n\nThere is limited access to phone networks, so consider taking a satellite phone in case you break down or have another emergency. Always carry drinking water with you.
\n\nThe rainy season normally runs from June to October. Torrential rains can cause floods and landslides. Monitor local weather reports and expect difficulties when travelling to affected areas during this season.
\n\nFind out what you can do to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and natural hazards.
\n\n","slug":"safety-and-security","title":"Safety and security"},{"body":"Before you travel check that:
\n\nThis is particularly important if you have a health condition or are pregnant.
\n\nCall 18 from Ouagadougou and ask for an ambulance.
\n\nOutside Ouagadougou, call the universal emergency number 112.
\n\nIf you get no response, you will need to get local advice about the closest hospital and how to get to it.
\n\nContact your insurance company quickly if you’re referred to a medical facility for treatment.
\n\nAt least 8 weeks before your trip:
\n\nSee what health risks you’ll face in Burkina Faso including:
\n\nThe legal status and regulation of some medicines prescribed or bought in the UK can be different in other countries.
\n\nRead best practice when travelling with medicines on TravelHealthPro.
\n\nMedical facilities in Burkina Faso are very limited. For serious medical treatment, evacuation to Europe is necessary. Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment abroad and medical evacuation.
\n\nFCDO has a list of medical providers in Burkina Faso where some staff will speak English.
\n\nRead FCDO guidance on travel and mental health. There is also mental health guidance on TravelHealthPro.
\n\n","slug":"health","title":"Health"},{"body":"The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) cannot provide tailored advice for individual trips. Read this travel advice and carry out your own research before deciding whether to travel.
\n\nAmbulance: 18
\n\nFire: 18
\n\nPolice: 17
\n\nOutside Ouagadougou, the emergency services are unlikely to respond.
\nTake local advice instead.
\n\nContact your travel provider and your insurer if you are involved in a serious incident or emergency abroad. They will tell you if they can help and what you need to do.
\n\nFor refunds or changes to travel, contact your travel provider. You may also be able to make a claim through insurance. However, insurers usually require you to talk to your travel provider first.
\n\nFind out more about changing or cancelling travel plans, including:
\n\nFCDO has guidance on staying safe and what to do if you need help or support abroad, including:
\n\nSee how to get help from the UK government abroad including in an emergency.
\n\nYou can call FCDO in London if you need urgent help because something has happened to a friend or relative abroad.
\n\nTelephone: 020 7008 5000 (24 hours)
\n\n\n\nSign up to get email notifications when this travel advice is updated.
\n\nFollow FCDO:
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