Guides · Burkina Faso

Work permit renewal in Burkina Faso

Written from published rules on 27 August 2026. Not monitored for changes since. A starting point, not official advice — confirm anything that matters with Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Protection). Rules here vary, so check carefully.

Renewing a work permit in Burkina Faso typically involves submitting an application to the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Protection, along with required documentation to demonstrate continued employment or a new employment contract. The process ensures that foreign workers maintain legal status to work in the country.

Your timing

It is advisable to begin the renewal process several months before the current work permit expires. This allows ample time to gather all necessary documents, schedule appointments if required, and account for potential processing delays. Starting early helps avoid any gaps in legal employment status.

Start 90 days ahead

This lead time accounts for the time needed to compile documents, submit the application, and for the Ministry to process and approve the renewal. Actual processing times can vary.

The process

  1. 1Gather all necessary documents, including the existing work permit, employment contract, and company registration.
  2. 2Complete the work permit renewal application form, usually obtained from the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Protection or its relevant department.
  3. 3Submit the completed application form and all supporting documents to the Ministry's designated office.
  4. 4Pay any required application and processing fees.
  5. 5Await notification of the application's status and collect the renewed work permit once approved.

What to bring

  • Original and copy of the current work permit
  • Application form for work permit renewal
  • Current employment contract or a new contract if applicable, signed by both the employer and employee
  • Copy of the employer's company registration or business license (Registre de Commerce et du Crédit Mobilier - RCCM)
  • Proof of payment of social security contributions (Caisse Nationale de Sécurité Sociale - CNSS)
  • Passport-sized photographs
  • Copy of the applicant's valid passport and visa (if applicable)
  • Any other documents specified by the Ministry, such as tax clearance certificates or medical certificates.

Who handles it

Ministère de la Fonction Publique, du Travail et de la Protection Sociale (Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Protection)

The exact fee for renewing a work permit in Burkina Faso should be confirmed directly with the Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Protection. Fees are typically paid at the time of application submission.

What commonly goes wrong

  • Ensure all documents are current and valid; expired documents will delay the process.
  • Confirm the specific list of required documents and any current fees with the Ministry, as these can be subject to change.
  • Submit the application well in advance of the expiry date to avoid issues with legal employment status.
  • All submitted documents might need to be in French or officially translated into French.

Sources

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