The Schengen Agreement, which is an integral part of European law, abolished border controls between 22 EU countries and 3 non-member countries. However, the Union's external borders have been maintained and a common visa policy has been established.

Visa application

The visa application will be submitted to the Embassy of Belgium in Burundi for any traveller going to one of the following countries: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Portugal, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Sweden and Switzerland.

For other countries, the visa application will be submitted to their diplomatic representations in neighbouring States.

Travelling to several countries in the Schengen area

When a visa has been issued by a country that fully applies the Schengen Agreement, it can be used to travel to other countries in the Schengen area. In addition, a valid residence permit issued by one of these countries is equivalent to a visa. However, a national visa to travel to countries outside the Schengen area may be required.

In the context of a trip involving several countries in the Schengen area, the Member State competent to examine a visa application is that of the main destination. If it is impossible to determine the main destination, it is the Member State of the first entry which must be informed of the request. The Community Visa Code does not require you to start a trip to the Schengen area by arriving in the territory of the Member State which issued the visa.

It is nevertheless necessary to be able to present, at each border crossing and throughout a stay, the supporting documents (purpose of the stay, means of subsistence and accommodation, insurance, transport tickets between the country of destination). (arrival and country of destination) which must make it possible both to prove the stay in the country of first arrival and to identify the main destination of the trip.

Erasmus+ is the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport. For the period 2014-2020, it provided opportunities for four million people to study, train and make a life experience abroad.

The Erasmus+ programme is aimed at Burundian universities as well as Burundian students, doctoral candidates and researchers:

1. Higher education institutions wishing to develop joint programmes or set up inter-institutional cooperation partnerships between universities in Europe and third countries:

• Capacity-building projects in higher education promoting cooperation and partnerships that have an impact on the modernisation and internationalisation of higher education institutions.
• The “Jean Monnet” programme aims to stimulate teaching, research and reflection in the field of European Union studies throughout the world.
• The Intra-African Academic Mobility programme aims to encourage international mobility for learning purposes across the African continent. The programme provides support for exchanges between African universities.

2. Students, researchers and academic staff wishing to spend a period of study, research or teaching under one of the following programmes:

• Mobility programmes (ICM-International Credit Mobility) that promote the mobility of learners and staff to and from partner countries.
• Joint Master programmes (Erasmus Mundus) aimed at Burundian graduated students (baccalauréat) who already have a very good level of English. The catalogue is updated with new programmes at the beginning of each academic year.
• Several opportunities are also available for doctoral students and researchers under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie programme.

In the field of higher education, Erasmus+ supports the following main actions:

• International credit mobility for individuals and Erasmus Mundus joint masters programmes, which promote the mobility of learners and staff to and from partner countries.
• Support for institutions wishing to develop high-level joint Masters programmes and highly attractive scholarships for students from all over the world to undertake their studies on these programmes. 
• Jean Monnet activities with the aim of stimulating worldwide teaching, research and reflection in the field of European Union studies.

How to apply:

Students and PhD candidates from all over the world can apply, and there are opportunities for institutions to collaborate with EU institutions. For more information, please consult the links below:

Mobility projects for higher education students and staff

Erasmus Mundus Catalogue

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programmes (2021)

Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree Programme - Frequently asked questions

Erasmus+ - Highlights

Or visit the three information centres at the University of Burundi in Bujumbura, the University of Ngozi and the Polytechnic University of Gitega.