Burundian citizens are required to obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam. The Vietnam e-visa is the most practical route for Burundian passport holders, offering single or multiple entry authorization for stays of up to 90 days at an official government fee of USD 25.
Visa on arrival is also available but requires a pre-approved letter from a licensed agency and applies only at designated international airports.
Yes, Burundian citizens are required to obtain a valid visa before entering Vietnam, regardless of the purpose of travel. There is currently no visa exemption agreement between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Republic of Burundi [1], which means every holder of a Burundian passport must secure authorization through one of the official channels recognized by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
This requirement applies consistently across all travel categories, tourism, business, family visits, and transit stays exceeding 24 hours. Based on our advisory work with travelers from East Africa and Central Africa spanning more than two decades, the visa requirement is enforced without exception at all international entry points, and attempting to board a flight to Vietnam without a valid visa will result in immediate denial at check-in.
Vietnam entry requirements for Burundian passport holders:
Burundian passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended arrival date in Vietnam
Minimum of 2 blank pages available for visa stamping
Confirmed return or onward travel ticket
Proof of sufficient funds for the duration of your stay
Types of Vietnam visa available for Burundi passport holders
Burundian travelers have three primary pathways to legally enter Vietnam. Understanding which route matches your travel profile will save time and minimize the risk of costly application errors.
Vietnam e-visa (EVISA) is the most accessible option for Burundian nationals. Issued through the official Vietnam e-visa portal managed by the Vietnam Immigration Department, this is a fully online process, no embassy visit, no physical document courier, no in-person appointment required.
Visa on arrival with a prior approval letter is the second option, available exclusively to those arriving by air at designated international airports. It requires securing a visa approval letter from a licensed Vietnamese agency before departure, which is then used at the airport counter to receive the physical visa stamp.
Embassy or consulate visa remains available for Burundian citizens, though the nearest Vietnamese diplomatic missions to Bujumbura are typically located in regional African capitals or European cities. This route involves physically submitting documents and is the least convenient option for most travelers from Burundi.
The e-visa route is what we recommend to the large majority of clients pursuing a Burundi to Vietnam visa. The process requires no travel to an embassy, no paper documents sent by post, and no lengthy appointment queues.
Step 1: Prepare your documents
Before visiting the official Vietnam e-visa portal (https://evisa.gov.vn/) or you can use a trusted visa service provider such as Tan Van Lang via https://evisa.vnhub.com/ to handle the submission on your behalf, ensure you have ready:
A clear scanned copy of your Burundian passport biographical page
A recent passport-style photograph on a white or light background
Your planned travel dates and intended entry checkpoint in Vietnam
A valid email address to receive your approved visa document
A Visa or Mastercard credit/debit card for the government fee
Step 2: Complete the online application form
The application requires accurate entry of your full legal name, exactly as it appears in your Burundian passport, along with your date of birth, passport number, and expiry date.
The single most critical detail that many applicants overlook is the entry checkpoint selection: this must precisely match the actual airport or border point through which you will physically enter Vietnam.
Our practical experience processing hundreds of Africa Vietnam visa cases confirms that mismatched entry checkpoints are among the most common reasons Burundian travelers face complications at Vietnamese immigration. If your connecting flight routes you through Da Nang but your e-visa lists Noi Bai (Hanoi) as the entry point, you will be denied entry.
Step 3: Pay the government fee and submit
The official government fee for a Vietnam e-visa is USD 25, payable via card on the portal. Retain your payment confirmation and reference number as proof of submission.
Step 4: Await processing and download your e-visa
The standard processing window is 3 business days, though delays of 5 to 7 business days occur during Vietnamese public holidays or high-season travel periods.
Once approved, your e-visa document arrives in your registered email inbox. Print this document and carry it with your passport, many Vietnamese entry checkpoints still require the physical printed copy alongside the passport for verification.
A critical warning regarding scam websites: A significant number of fraudulent third-party websites now mimic the official EVISA Vietnam portal in appearance, charging fees 5 to 10 times the legitimate government rate and, in some cases, delivering invalid or counterfeit documents.
With over 20 years of experience since 2003, Tan Van Lang has helped numerous clients recover from such situations, often at significant additional cost and travel disruption. Always verify the URL of any website you use, or engage a certified visa consultancy to handle your Vietnam visa application Burundi process securely.
Tan Van Lang provides reliable Vietnam visa services backed by over 20 years of professional experience.
Vietnam visa on arrival for Burundian travelers is a legitimate and commonly used option, particularly for those who encounter technical issues with the e-visa portal or who require a business visa category. It is important to understand that this option applies only to air arrivals at Vietnam’s designated international airports.
The visa on arrival process for Burundian citizens involves three stages:
Obtain a visa approval letter through a licensed Vietnamese immigration agency, done remotely, online, before your departure from Bujumbura
Board your flight to Vietnam carrying the approval letter, your passport, two printed passport-sized photos, and stamping fee in USD cash
Collect your visa stamp at the dedicated visa on arrival counter upon landing
Approval letters are typically processed within 2 to 5 working days for standard requests. Urgent processing within 24 hours or even same-day is available through qualified agencies at a surcharge.
One point requires particular emphasis: visa on arrival does not apply to land or sea border crossings. If you intend to enter Vietnam by road from any neighboring country, you must carry a visa stamp obtained from a Vietnamese embassy beforehand, or use the e-visa route.
Vietnam visa fees and processing time for Burundian nationals
Accurate cost planning is important for Bujumbura to Vietnam travelers who are also factoring in multi-leg international airfare. The table below provides a structured overview of fee structures across all available channels for a Vietnam visa Burundi application [2].
Official Vietnam e-visa fees (government portal)
Visa type
Maximum validity
Entry type
Government fee
E-visa
90 days
Single entry
USD 25
E-visa
90 days
Multiple entry
USD 25
Vietnam visa on arrival fees
Service
Approval letter (agency)
Stamping fee at airport
Single entry tourist
USD 15–25
USD 25
Multiple entry tourist
USD 25–50
USD 50
Single entry business
USD 50–100
USD 25
Multiple entry business
USD 80–150
USD 50
Processing time by channel
Channel
Standard
Urgent
E-visa (official portal)
3 business days
Not officially available
Visa on arrival approval letter
2–5 working days
1–24 hours (surcharge)
Embassy/consulate visa
5–10 working days
2–3 working days (surcharge)
Drawing on our practical advisory work across numerous East Africa Vietnam visa and Central Africa Vietnam visa applications, we consistently recommend applying for your visa at least two to three weeks before your departure date. This buffer accounts for processing delays, document correction requests, and portal downtime that are inherently unpredictable.
We support foreigners with accurate consultation and compliant visa solutions for Vietnam.
Vietnam visa validity and length of stay for Burundian citizens
One of the most frequently misunderstood aspects of Vietnam immigration for Burundian passport holders is the distinction between visa validity and permitted length of stay. Visa validity is the window within which you must enter Vietnam. Length of stay is how long you may legally remain inside the country after entry.
Under the current Vietnam e-visa framework:
Single entry e-visa: Valid for entry within 90 days of issuance; maximum stay of 90 days per entry
Multiple entry e-visa: Allows multiple entries and exits within the visa’s 90-day validity window; each individual stay contributes to the cumulative total
Visa extension after arrival
Vietnam does permit visa extensions, processed through the Vietnam Immigration Department. Based on hands-on experience with Burundian passport Vietnam cases, extensions of 30 to 90 additional days are granted subject to the applicant’s visa category and the immigration officer’s discretionary assessment.
Extensions must be applied for before the current visa expires, a minimum of 5 to 7 business days in advance is strongly advisable. Overstaying a Vietnam visa carries formal penalties: monetary fines, a temporary bar on re-entry, and in severe cases, deportation.
Temporary residence registration
A legal obligation that many international visitors are unaware of: all foreign nationals staying in Vietnam must register their temporary residence with local authorities within 24 hours of arrival at each accommodation. Hotels, serviced apartments, and licensed guesthouses fulfill this obligation automatically on behalf of their guests.
If you are staying in a private home, with a friend, colleague, or acquaintance, that individual host is legally responsible for registering your presence with the local ward police office. Failing to register is a minor infraction but can occasionally complicate a visa extension application if an immigration officer requests documentation of your accommodation history.
Can Burundian citizens get a Vietnam visa on arrival?
Yes, but not unconditionally. Burundian citizens can use the visa on arrival system only at designated international airports, not at land or sea crossings. A visa approval letter obtained from a licensed agency prior to departure is mandatory; without it, airlines will refuse boarding. This letter must be arranged before you leave Bujumbura.
How long does it take to process a Vietnam e-visa for Burundian citizens?
The official processing period on the EVISA Vietnam government portal is 3 business days. Practical processing times can extend to 5 to 7 business days during peak periods or public holidays in Vietnam. We recommend submitting your application no later than 14 days before your intended departure to allow adequate time for any corrections.
What documents are required for a Vietnam visa application from Burundi?
For the Vietnam e-visa, the required documents are:
Burundian passport valid for at least 6 months from arrival, with at least 2 blank pages
Scanned copy of your passport biographical data page
Recent passport-sized photo on a plain background
Intended travel dates and entry checkpoint in Vietnam
Valid email address
Credit or debit card for the government application fee
For visa on arrival, you additionally need the printed visa approval letter, two physical passport photos, and the airport stamping fee in USD cash.
Is there a visa exemption agreement between Vietnam and Burundi?
No. As of the current date, the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not entered into a bilateral visa exemption agreement with Burundi. All Burundian citizens, regardless of visit purpose, duration, or prior travel history to Vietnam, must obtain a valid visa. The official list of visa-exempt nationalities is published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and does not include Burundi at this time.
How much does a Vietnam visa cost for Burundian passport holders?
The official government fee for a Vietnam e-visa is USD 25 for both single and multiple entry options. If using the visa on arrival route, the total cost includes an agency approval letter fee (typically USD 15 to 50 depending on urgency) plus an airport stamping fee of USD 25 for single entry or USD 50 for multiple entry. Embassy visa fees vary by country and visa type.
Can Burundian citizens extend their Vietnam visa after arrival?
Yes. Visa extensions are processed through the Vietnam Immigration Department and are available for most visa categories. Extensions of 30 to 90 days are typically granted, subject to the officer’s assessment. The extension application must be submitted, with all required documents, before your existing visa expires. Overstaying without approved extension results in fines and potential re-entry restrictions on future Vietnam visa applications.
What is the maximum length of stay in Vietnam for Burundian passport holders?
Under the current e-visa policy, the maximum single authorized stay is 90 days. If you require a longer presence in Vietnam, options include applying for a visa extension through the Immigration Department, departing and returning on a new visa, or, for prolonged professional or business stays, applying for a sponsored business visa or a temporary residence card. Our senior advisors at Tan Van Lang can assess your specific situation and recommend the most appropriate legal pathway.
Conclusion
If you are a Burundian national preparing for travel to Vietnam and need professional, reliable guidance on your visa application, our team is available to support you from initial consultation through to your confirmed arrival. Contact Tan Van Lang today to speak with a senior visa advisor.
Tốt nghiệp chuyên ngành quản trị kinh doanh và du lịch (MKU). Sau khi tốt nghiệp, Tôi đã có 6 năm kinh nghiệm về Dịch vụ tư vấn Tour và visa xuất cảnh, 6 năm kinh nghiệm về dịch vụ tư vấn thủ tục cho người nước ngoài.
Tôi đã tư vấn cho hơn 10.000 người Việt Nam có nhu cầu du lịch nước ngoài với tỷ lệ thành công 99%.