How to get a Visa Extension for Burundi in Bujumbura - Step by Step Guide
Posted: August 12 2023 | Tagged: Burundi
At the border, they only gave me 3 days at a cost of 40 USD, if I wanted to stay longer, I would need to go to the immigration office in Bujumbura and get my Burundi Visa extended.
If you arrive by plane, you can get a 30-day visa on arrival at the airport.
If you arrive by land, they will give you only 3 days. At least, that's what I got at the main crossing from Kigali to Bujumbura.
If you arrive by land, they will give you only 3 days. At least, that's what I got at the main crossing from Kigali to Bujumbura.
The info on the UK Government website is misleading
At the hotel, I conferred.
A local man with a Belgium national for a son, told me that at the border they are only giving 3 days, despite what official Western websites say.
He also told me that passport applications and visa extensions are done online, where, you make an appointment. Not entirely true.
I couldn't find the visa extension part on the Burundi Immigration website.
I was not feeling very positive.
I was gonna just stay a day and get the hell out of Dodge.
I don't like quitting but sometimes the overwhelming desire to take the easy route is just too much.
The heat makes life hard. The arduous bus journeys exhaust me.
I changed hotels. I found a super cheap hotel on Google Maps: Camel Africa Hotel
After breakfast, I headed over there. 10 USD or 35,000BF. I secured a room. And went back to the Urban Lodge to check out.
They called me a cab. 5,000 for 2km.
The Camel Africa Hotel is a great option for budget travellers. It's a local place. And in a city where hotels cater for NGOs, this place is a real find.
Anyways, once in a while, I feel like writing a blog post. This is not a sponsored stay.
I dumped my stuff in the room.
I headed to the immigration office. The taxi was expensive. Much to their disbelief, I walked off. On the main street, I rode a local bus up the street to the roundabout. Just 500BF. Then walked the last part.
A local man with a Belgium national for a son, told me that at the border they are only giving 3 days, despite what official Western websites say.
He also told me that passport applications and visa extensions are done online, where, you make an appointment. Not entirely true.
I couldn't find the visa extension part on the Burundi Immigration website.
I was not feeling very positive.
I was gonna just stay a day and get the hell out of Dodge.
I don't like quitting but sometimes the overwhelming desire to take the easy route is just too much.
The heat makes life hard. The arduous bus journeys exhaust me.
I changed hotels. I found a super cheap hotel on Google Maps: Camel Africa Hotel
After breakfast, I headed over there. 10 USD or 35,000BF. I secured a room. And went back to the Urban Lodge to check out.
They called me a cab. 5,000 for 2km.
The Camel Africa Hotel is a great option for budget travellers. It's a local place. And in a city where hotels cater for NGOs, this place is a real find.
Anyways, once in a while, I feel like writing a blog post. This is not a sponsored stay.
I dumped my stuff in the room.
I headed to the immigration office. The taxi was expensive. Much to their disbelief, I walked off. On the main street, I rode a local bus up the street to the roundabout. Just 500BF. Then walked the last part.
Requirements for a Burundi visa extension:
Passport photo.
Copy of passport
Copy of arrival stamp
Original receipt for the 40 USD
You need to enter off the side street, not on the main boulevard:
Copy of passport
Copy of arrival stamp
Original receipt for the 40 USD
You need to enter off the side street, not on the main boulevard:
The police guards aren't much help. But, there is always someone who knows the ropes. A lady is familiar with the office.
"Go here, find office 121".
Africa is pretty chaotic in general. Government offices are mental beyond belief. Just be prepared, stay calm. Remind yourself, this is Africa.
I find the office marked 121. It's the visa office for foreigners.
I get myself an application form. Fill it all in, help myself to the glue, affix my 10-year-old passport photo to the form and give it to the guy.
I hang around. My details are entered in a ledger. I'm told to get the form signed, in another office, just across the hallway.
Back to Office 121.
I'm then told, to go to some place and pay 20 USD. I am familiar with this system.
He writes BRF or similar on my form. Back at the security gates, another helpful being points me in the right direction.
I head to the Emmaus Building - Visa Payment Office:
"Go here, find office 121".
Africa is pretty chaotic in general. Government offices are mental beyond belief. Just be prepared, stay calm. Remind yourself, this is Africa.
I find the office marked 121. It's the visa office for foreigners.
I get myself an application form. Fill it all in, help myself to the glue, affix my 10-year-old passport photo to the form and give it to the guy.
I hang around. My details are entered in a ledger. I'm told to get the form signed, in another office, just across the hallway.
Back to Office 121.
I'm then told, to go to some place and pay 20 USD. I am familiar with this system.
He writes BRF or similar on my form. Back at the security gates, another helpful being points me in the right direction.
I head to the Emmaus Building - Visa Payment Office:
I'm directed to the guichet.
They have helpers to show you the procedure.
The guy fills in a form. I told him 20 USD was what I needed to pay.
Am given a receipt. Then to another desk where a lady enters all the details into another computer and am given a printout.
They have helpers to show you the procedure.
The guy fills in a form. I told him 20 USD was what I needed to pay.
Am given a receipt. Then to another desk where a lady enters all the details into another computer and am given a printout.
Back to the immigration office, 121.
By this time it's 12:30.
I suggested a petit cadeau can speed things along.
But it was useless. The guy who signs the visa stamp has gone to lunch. There is nothing to do but wait.
I go get food with an American guy. He was born in the DRC and was in the same boat as me. Crossing from Tanzania, he had also gotten just 3 days.
At 2, we headed back. Hoping the lunch break would be over by then.
Never get your hopes up here. You will be disappointed.
At 4 pm, the guy from Office 121, takes 20 passports to another office cos he believes the guy who does the signing won't arrive.
The guy turns up eventually, at 4:20 pm but we don't need him now.
At 4:30 pm, I get my passport back.
I get 10 days more, expiring on August 21.
So the initial 3 days cost me 40 USD, and the 10-day visa extension cost me another 20 USD. 60 USD in total for 13 days. Better than paying 95 USD for a 30-day visa and only staying for 2 weeks!
Am good to go. Fist bumps with the others who were there for the visa extension and a bus back to the hotel.
Quite a day. But I am relieved to have got it sorted. And that I didn't give up the fight.
By this time it's 12:30.
I suggested a petit cadeau can speed things along.
But it was useless. The guy who signs the visa stamp has gone to lunch. There is nothing to do but wait.
I go get food with an American guy. He was born in the DRC and was in the same boat as me. Crossing from Tanzania, he had also gotten just 3 days.
At 2, we headed back. Hoping the lunch break would be over by then.
Never get your hopes up here. You will be disappointed.
At 4 pm, the guy from Office 121, takes 20 passports to another office cos he believes the guy who does the signing won't arrive.
The guy turns up eventually, at 4:20 pm but we don't need him now.
At 4:30 pm, I get my passport back.
I get 10 days more, expiring on August 21.
So the initial 3 days cost me 40 USD, and the 10-day visa extension cost me another 20 USD. 60 USD in total for 13 days. Better than paying 95 USD for a 30-day visa and only staying for 2 weeks!
Am good to go. Fist bumps with the others who were there for the visa extension and a bus back to the hotel.
Quite a day. But I am relieved to have got it sorted. And that I didn't give up the fight.