Burundi
Burundi passport ranking
The Burundian passport is currently ranked 92nd place on the Guide Passport Index. It provides visa-free access to 48 destinations. Burundian passport holders have visa-free access and visas on arrival to countries such as Philippines and Singapore. Burundian citizens do however require a visa to enter 181 destinations in the world such as China, Russia, the United States and the entire European Union. This high visa requirement results in a low mobility score.
Burundi Passport Ranking
The Burundi passport ranking relative to other global passports is calculated by adding up the number of countries that allow Burundi passport holders to enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries) and those that allow Burundi passport holders to enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) or electronic travel authorization (eTA). There are currently a total of 19 Burundi passport visa-free countries, 28 Burundi visa-on-arrival countries, and 1 eTA destinations.
Altogether, Burundi passport holders can enter a total of 48 destinations—either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. As a result, the Burundi passport ranks 92 in the world.
Separate from these Burundi visa-free countries and visa-on-arrival countries, there are 181 additional destinations in which Burundi passport holders either need a physical visa to enter or an eVisa (i.e. visa required countries).
About Burundi
The Republic of Burundi is a former Belgian colony. Located in Central Africa it consists of 18 provinces. It borders Tanzania, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The most important provinces are Gitega, Ngozi, and Muyinga. Burundi is a relatively small country in Africa with a surface area of 27,834 square kilometers. Its climate is equatorial and the geography is dominated by hilly and mountainous terrain.
The overall population is 12.6 million people. The capital of the country is Gitega. The largest city is however Bujumbura with 331,000 inhabitants. Other important cities of the country are Bobo-Muyinga, Ruyigi, and Ngozi. The largest airport is Melchior Ndadaye International Airport (BJM). It has an approximate yearly passenger traffic of 131,000 people. It connects the country to destinations across Africa and to Belgium. It is named after Melchior Ndadaye, the first democratically elected president of the county.
Burundi gained independence from Belgium in 1962. Its culture is dominated by a mix of traditions and the Belgian heritage. The main relation of the country is Roman Catholic with 62% practicing. The official languages of the nation are French, Kirundi and English. The legal system is based on the Belgian civil and customary law. The government form is a presidential republic. President Evariste Ndayishimiye is the elected chief of state and head of government. Elections take place every 5 years.
The official currency of the country is the Burundi franc (BIF) with the current exchange rate being BIF 2,842 to the USD. Burundi has an open economy, generating a GDP of approximately $3.6 billion. This makes it one of the smallest economies in Africa. It has a per capita income of $292. The main GDP-contributing sectors are services and agriculture. The main export products are coffee and gold. Further diversification is sought after by the government but is developing only slowly.
Burundi is a developing tourism destination offering limited attractions. It is known for its wildlife and national parks. Some destinations are the capital Bujumbura, the Rusizi River National Park, the Kigwena Natural Forest, and Mount Heha. The majority of the 299,000 yearly tourism visitors originate from the neighboring African countries and some Europeans. The government has put a 20-year tourism development plan in place with financing from the African Development Bank.
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