United States visa for Burundian citizens

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.

Burundian citizens cannot use ESTA and, since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas to Burundian nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas) under Presidential Proclamation 10998. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation remain valid. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before paying for flights or hotels.

What the suspension means

Burundi is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available to Burundian citizens. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas for tourism or business to Burundian nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas). Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. The State Department's announcement sets out the current position.

In practice, a trip to Manhattan starts with the visa question, not with flights or hotels. If no exception covers you, plan on the basis that a new visitor visa is not available while the suspension stands. If an exception may apply, ask the embassy or consulate before booking anything. Visas issued before the proclamation were not revoked, so travelers who already hold one can plan around it.

Before you fly and on arrival

A confirmed visa, or a documented exception, is the starting point for any flight to New York. Check the State Department's announcement and the embassy's own guidance close to the travel date, because consular services and appointment procedures change. Keep copies of the visa and the passport data page. Airlines check travel documents before boarding, so allow time at check-in in Bujumbura or wherever the journey begins.

Flights land at John F. Kennedy International, LaGuardia or Newark Liberty. Customs and Border Protection officers inspect passports, visas and travel purpose at the port of entry. Answer questions directly and carry documents that support the trip. The officer decides how long a traveler may stay, and the admission record is available on the CBP website. Secondary inspection is possible if something needs checking.

Staying in Manhattan

Hotel confirmations, a Manhattan address and a return or onward ticket answer the questions officers most often ask. Keep them printed as well as on a phone. A short, clear itinerary helps: arrival date, where the nights are spent, and the departure plan. Travelers who stay with friends or family can carry a letter with the host's address, contact details and a phone number.

From the airports, trains, buses and official taxis connect with Manhattan, and the trip usually involves a transfer. Check current routes and fares with the airport operator or the transit authority on the day, since services change. Within Manhattan, the subway and buses cover most visitor ground, and walking works well between nearby neighborhoods. Rideshare pickups are signed at each airport.

Work, study and longer stays

Tourism and short business trips use the visitor visa. Study, employment, exchange programs and stays that go beyond a visit require different categories, each with its own application, supporting documents and interview. A consular officer decides which category fits a traveler's plans. Applying in the wrong category, or traveling on a visitor visa with the intention of working, causes problems at the port of entry.

The State Department website lists the categories and explains the process at travel.state.gov. Read it before paying for anything, and confirm the position for Burundian applicants at the embassy or consulate that handles the case. Extensions and changes of status inside the United States are handled by US Citizenship and Immigration Services, not by this site. Rules and procedures change, so check the official pages close to the travel date.

Step by step

1. Read the State Department announcement on Presidential Proclamation 10998 before making any travel plan.
2. Check whether an exception applies, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport or a visa issued before the proclamation.
3. Contact the US embassy or consulate responsible for Burundi and ask about the current process for visitor visas.
4. Plan nothing non-refundable, including flights and hotel deposits, until the visa position is clear.
5. If an existing visa is still valid, confirm the details and carry it with a current passport.
6. Allow extra time at check-in and at the US port of entry while documents are reviewed.

Documents to carry

• Passport valid for the trip, with the current rule confirmed by the embassy
• An existing US visa issued before the proclamation, if one is held
• Hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and the dates of stay
• Return or onward ticket, printed as well as saved on a phone
• Documents supporting an exception, such as a second passport or dual nationality evidence

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