Non Immigrant Visas

Application Fee And Visa Issuance Time

The Consular Section is open for non-immigrant visas on Monday and Thursday mornings from 08:30 - 11:30. Applications are received on a walk in basis. At the end of the interview, successful applicants are asked to come back in the afternoon to pick up their visa.
Biometrics collection started in Ouagadougou on March 11, 2004.  At the beginning of the interview, all applicants age 14 to 79 (except Diplomats, Government officials and employees of international institutions on official business) will be fingerprinted. This measure is to help prevent visa fraud and to reinforce security at Ports of Entry.

Applicants who received their visas prior to the implementation of the biometric collections can still use it provided it is still valid to travel to the States. They will be fingerprinted at the port of entry before being admitted in the country.

What documentation do I need to apply?

The following documentation is required for ALL visa applicants:

1. A completed and signed visa application form (DS-156) for each applicant. This form is available upon request at the US Embassy or online

2. A completed and signed form DS-157 for all males between 16 and 45

3. All applicants seeking a student or exchange visitor visa must complete and submit to a form DS-158 in addition to the Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-156) and, if necessary, the Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-157)

4. A fee of 131 Dollars or CFA equivalent.  The fee is collected when handing in your application.

5. Depending upon nationality, an additional visa issuance fee (reciprocity fee) may be required in order to issue the visa.

6. A valid passport (generally valid for a minimum of 6 months after the expected date of entry into the U.S.). The U.S. has an agreement with many countries automatically extending the validity of a passport for six months past the passport's expiration date. However, no such agreement exists between the US and Burkina Faso.

7. A recent identity photograph (5 cm X 5 cm) with full face on a white background

8. Documents demonstrating (1) the purpose of your trip, and (2) providing proof of your intention to leave the United States after your temporary stay. For instance:

• Professional/business ties as shown by: pay slips or bank statements from the past three months, employment contract, or tax returns.
  
• Family ties as shown by: marriage certificate, birth certificate, or livret de famille
  
• Medical necessity as shown by: doctor's statement with proof of medical insurance or financial capacity
  
• Other ties outside of the U.S. as shown by: rental agreement, social security benefits, etc.
  
• Prior travel to the U.S., and back, as shown by: prior visas in old passports, or photocopies thereof.

This list is not exhaustive, and the Consular Officer can request additional information.

Strict guidelines apply to anyone wishing to visit the United States. There are no special provisions for the friends or relatives of American citizens.

A valid VISA is necessary for most aliens who wish to apply for entry into the United States. Under U.S. law, all aliens seeking admission are presumed to require an immigrant visa unless they establish that they are entitled to receive a visa in one of the nonimmigrant visa categories.

A nonimmigrant visa for a particular category is valid for entry only for the purpose for which it was originally issued. For example, a student visa cannot be used for entry as a visitor, nor can the possessor of a visitor visa enter to study.

A visa is not a guarantee of entry into the United States. The bearer of a visa is subject to inspection at the port of entry by U.S. Immigration officials who have authority to deny admission. Therefore, the recipient of a visa should carry the evidence submitted to the consular officer when the visa was obtained with him/her, for possible presentation to immigration inspectors. More information can be found on http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

The validity period shown on a nonimmigrant visa relates only to the period during which it may be used in making application for admission into the United States; it does not indicate the length of time the alien may spend in the United States. The period for which the bearer of a nonimmigrant visa is authorized to remain in the United States is determined by the U.S. Immigration authorities at the port of entry. A nonimmigrant that remains in the United States beyond the period for which he/she has been granted permission to stay may become subject to deportation.

Certain categories of nonimmigrant visas require special documentation, which can be furnished only by an authority in the United States. These categories include students, who must have a valid Form I-20 A-B or I-20 M-N issued by the prospective school; exchange visitors, who must have a Form DS 2019 issued by the sponsoring organization; and temporary workers and trainees, intracompany transferees, fiancé (e) s of U.S citizens, athletes and entertainers, and cultural exchange visitors, all of whom must have a specific petition filed on their behalf and approved by the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service.

TNC Applications

TNC (Third Country Nationals) nonimmigrant applications are also received. However, they will need to show that they have strong ties to Burkina Faso.