Is your company planning to expand operations in Burkina Faso? This small West African country offers an opportunity for your company to grow, but you'll need to make sure that any employees...
Read MoreIs your company planning to expand operations in Burkina Faso? This small West African country offers an opportunity for your company to grow, but you'll need to make sure that any employees who relocate to Burkina Faso or join your team abroad have the appropriate visas to live and work there.
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Is your company planning to expand operations in Burkina Faso? This small West African country offers an opportunity for your company to grow, but you’ll need to make sure that any employees who relocate to Burkina Faso or join your team abroad have the appropriate visas to live and work there.
In Burkina Faso, foreign travelers who wish to enter the country are typically divided into three categories when it comes to visas:
However, foreign nationals who plan to stay in Burkina Faso for an extended time to work for your company will need a long-stay visa. They will also need a work permit.
Burkina Faso is somewhat unique in that the country does not have a business visa. If any of your employees need to visit Burkina Faso for a short period of time for business purposes, such as a conference or training seminar, they can do so by obtaining a normal entry visa which will allow them to stay for up to 90 days.
A long-stay visa is necessary for any foreign nationals who intend to work in Burkina Faso. To obtain the visa, applicants will need to provide:
To get a long-stay visa to work in Burkina Faso, employees should visit the Burkina Faso embassy or consulate in their country. They will need to submit the documents listed in the previous section. The application can be obtained at the embassy or online prior to the visit.
Visas for workers are issued by the Labor Administration. These visas can be granted for the duration of the employment contract, up to a maximum of three years.
The processing time for the visa application may vary, so your company and employees should plan accordingly and begin the process well in advance to ensure work can start when scheduled.
In Burkina Faso, work permits will need to be obtained by the sponsoring employer. The Burkina Faso work permit is also known as a Worker Card.
Should your employees need to stay in Burkina Faso beyond the initial duration of their visa, it is possible to obtain a visa extension. Extensions are issued by the Head Office of the National Police in the nation’s capital, Ouagadougou.
If an employee is contracted to work with another employer besides your company in Burkina Faso, they will need a work permit from each employer.
If your company is expanding to Burkina Faso, Globalization Partners is here to help. With access to our solution, staying compliant while you grow the bottom line of your business abroad has never been simpler. Contact us today to learn more and join the Globalization Partners team.
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