Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Full suspension: all visa categories |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas to Burkinabe nationals is fully suspended. A limited set of exceptions applies, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. An ESTA is not available. Check the State Department's announcement at travel.state.gov before planning a trip to Manhattan.
What the suspension means in practice
Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Burkinabe nationals is fully suspended. A limited set of exceptions exists, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. An ESTA is not available to Burkinabe citizens, so the Visa Waiver Program route is closed to them. The visa question is therefore central to any plan.
Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked. If you already hold a valid visitor visa, the proclamation does not cancel it, and travel plans can proceed on that basis. Anyone without a valid visa should treat the trip as not yet possible and check the State Department's announcement at travel.state.gov before paying for flights or accommodation. Keep dated copies of anything booked.
Before you fly and on arrival
Before booking, confirm your position with the US embassy or consulate responsible for Burkina Faso. Plan nothing non-refundable until the status is clear. If you do travel, carry a printed hotel confirmation, your return or onward ticket and a clear outline of your itinerary. Customs and Border Protection officers at John F. Kennedy International Airport, LaGuardia and Newark Liberty International Airport decide admission at the border.
Expect questions about the purpose of the visit, where you will stay and how the trip is funded. Answer briefly and honestly. Admission is granted for a period the officer sets, not for the length of the visa. Have addresses ready in writing, since the officer may ask for the first night's accommodation in Manhattan. Keep the papers in hand rather than in a checked bag.
Staying in Manhattan
Hotels in Manhattan ask for a passport at check-in and often a card for incidental charges. Keep a printed confirmation with the address and dates. From the airports, options include taxi ranks, app-based cars, public buses and trains, and the subway where connections allow. Check the current fare and service before setting out. Road traffic can be heavy, so allow generous time for the first journey.
Neighborhoods such as Midtown, the Upper West Side and Lower Manhattan suit short stays, with the subway linking most sights. Keep valuables secure on crowded platforms and in stations. A return or onward ticket and a booked room help show a clear plan, both at the border and if anything goes wrong during the trip. Keep a photograph of your passport and visa stored separately.
Longer stays, work and study
Visitor visas cover tourism, family visits and short business meetings. Work, study, a move to another employer or a stay of several months need a different visa category, and each category has its own requirements and application steps. The suspension of visitor visa issuance does not create a route to one of those categories, and travel on a visitor visa does not permit work.
Check travel.state.gov for the current rules, the categories available and how to apply from Burkina Faso. Ask the embassy or consulate about any category that might fit before making commitments. Because rules and appointment systems change, confirm details close to the travel date and treat any plan that cannot be changed with caution. Applications are generally made from the country where you live, so allow time for the process before any travel date.
Step by step
- Read the State Department announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 at travel.state.gov before making any bookings.
- Check whether an exception applies to you, such as dual nationality or an existing valid visa.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for Burkina Faso to confirm your position in writing.
- Plan nothing non-refundable until the status is clear and any visa question is settled.
- If a valid visa is in hand, confirm the passport details and itinerary documents before booking flights.
- Keep copies of confirmations, tickets and addresses ready for inspection on arrival.
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for the trip, with any visa inside
- Printed hotel confirmation with the Manhattan address and dates
- Return or onward ticket showing the plan to leave the United States
- Evidence of funds for the stay, such as recent bank statements
- Travel insurance documents covering the dates of the trip
Burkinabe citizens: questions
Can Burkinabe citizens still obtain a visitor visa for the United States?
No, not under current rules. Presidential Proclamation 10998 suspends the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Burkinabe nationals, with a limited set of exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Check travel.state.gov and the nearest US embassy or consulate before planning anything.
Is a visitor visa issued to a Burkinabe citizen before the proclamation still valid?
Yes. Visas issued before Presidential Proclamation 10998 came into force were not revoked, so a valid visa in the passport can still be used for a trip to Manhattan. Confirm that the passport details match and carry printed copies of bookings. Check travel.state.gov if anything about the visa looks unclear.
Can Burkinabe citizens use an ESTA instead of a visa?
No. An ESTA is not available to Burkinabe citizens, because Burkina Faso does not take part in the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers from Burkina Faso need a visa, and the current suspension applies to new visitor visas. An application through esta.cbp.dhs.gov is not an option for this passport.
What should a Burkinabe traveler to Manhattan do first?
Read the State Department announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998, then check whether an exception applies, such as dual nationality or an existing valid visa. Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for Burkina Faso for confirmation. Avoid paying for flights or hotels until the position is clear.
Are there exceptions to the visa suspension for Burkinabe nationals?
A limited set exists. One example is certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. The exceptions are narrow and depend on individual circumstances, so each traveler needs a direct answer from an official source. Ask the US embassy or consulate responsible for Burkina Faso and check travel.state.gov before making plans.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.