Establishment visa (visa d'établissement ordinaire) - 2-year residence
Foreigners who have lived in Burundi for at least 6 months can apply to CGM for a 2-year establishment visa. The fee is USD 500. The applicant must also lodge a bank deposit of USD 1,500 (or USD 5,000 for a family) in a blocked account, or a guarantee letter from an institution established in Burundi. Employees add their work contract and employer documents.
Life in Burundi
Money
3
Currency
Burundian Franc
BIF
Burundian Franc
Cost of living
46
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
20–30%
Income tax (national)
VAT 18%
Employment income: 0% up to BIF 1,800,000 a year (BIF 150,000 a month), 20% to BIF 3,600,000, 30% above.
Living
1
Happiness
#2 of 3 countries
World Happiness Report 2020
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals already in Burundi for 6 months or more who want to stay longer, including employees and people running a business.
Eligibility
Residence in Burundi
You need to have already spent at least 6 months in Burundi.
6 months
Time already in Burundi
Official wording
At least 6 months already spent in Burundi.
Deposit or guarantee
Pay a deposit into a blocked account at an approved bank, or provide a guarantee letter from an institution established in Burundi.
Deposit in a blocked account
- Just youapplicant
- USD 1,500
- Family
- USD 5,000
- Deposit is returned when the foreigner leaves Burundi for good.
Official wording
A deposit in a blocked account at an approved bank of USD 1,500 for the applicant or USD 5,000 for a family, or a guarantee letter from a national or international institution established in Burundi. The deposit is returned when the foreigner leaves Burundi for good.
Children
Minor children get a free certified copy of a parent's visa; adult children need their own visa and deposit.
Official wording
Minor children get a free certified copy of a parent's visa; adult children pay for their own visa and deposit.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementEmployees
- Document checklistApplication letter to the Commissaire Général des Migrations (approved)
- FeesEstablishment visa (2 years)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 2 more requirements
- 7 documents
- 3 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Burundi
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
