Press Releases Archives
Visa Validity Extension
March 16, 2007
The Embassy of the United States has the great pleasure of announcing that citizens of Burkina Faso are now eligible for visas with a validity of five years. Until now, the maximum visa validity had been one year for nearly all visa classes.
This is another step in the evolving and improving relations between our two countries. And importantly, Burkinabe citizens have demonstrated their trustworthiness as travelers to the United States. The reciprocal decision of the Burkina government means that citizens of the United States are eligible for five year visas to Burkina Faso.
This change in visa validity does not change how long Burkinabe citizens may legally remain in the United States, which is determined by a U.S. immigration officer at the border. Rather, it means that a visa may be re-used for multiple entries into the United States, over a period of five years rather than one year. For example, businessmen who travel frequently to the United States to conduct business will only need to obtain a visa twice each decade.
Not everyone will qualify for the new, five-year visa. Students, for example, will continue to receive one-year visas, which may need to be renewed if they return to Burkina Faso during the course of their studies. Visas are only issued to travelers who are qualified and can demonstrate a need to travel. One-year visas already issued remain valid. Therefore, there is no need for Burkinabes who already hold valid visas, or Burkinabes who do not need to travel soon, to obtain the new, five-year visas.
For information on how to apply for a visa to the United States, you may visit the following internet site: http://usembassy.state.gov/posts/uv1/wwwhvisa.html.