Burkina Faso/Mali/Niger: ECOWAS Withdrawal to Eventually Change Business and Tourist Visa Entry Requirements
January 31, 2025

Update - January 31, 2025: Even though the official withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali is effective January 29, 2025, ECOWAS is giving Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali a grace period of six months from January 29, 2025 to reconsider their decision to leave ECOWAS. During this six-month grace period, nationals of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger can still use their ECOWAS national passports and identity cards bearing the ECOWAS logo to travel within the ECOWAS region; they will remain eligible to enter ECOWAS member states without requiring a visa or residence permit; and nationals of other ECOWAS countries can still enter all three countries without a visa. We will provide updates as more information becomes available.
January 30, 2024: Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on January 27, 2024. However, ECOWAS has not yet received the official withdrawal notification from these countries. A year from the date that ECOWAS receives the official withdrawal notification, nationals of these three countries will be required to apply for a business or tourist visa when traveling to ECOWAS member countries, whereas currently, as members of ECOWAS, they are visa-exempt when traveling to other ECOWAS countries for business or tourism. Further, at that time, nationals of other ECOWAS countries will also be required to obtain a visa to enter Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. Until a year from the date that ECOWAS receives the official withdrawal notice, all three nations will remain parties to the treaty and its obligations. We are closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen

Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.

Podcast
David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter BĂ¼ro von Fragomen.

Blog post
Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer discusses workations as a way to support talent retention, noting the legal, tax and immigration considerations involved.

Blog post
Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Media mentions
Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Blog post
Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Video
In this video, Partner Jack Kim explains how Canada’s Express Entry system works.

Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how proposed student visa limits could create challenges and add administrative burdens for international students.

Podcast
David Kipp von der Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik im Gespräch mit Marius Tollenaere, Partner im Frankfurter BĂ¼ro von Fragomen.

Blog post
Partner Dan Schwarz and Senior Associate Mikhail (Mike) Izrailev provide an overview of the EB-5 visa program, highlighting its benefits and key considerations for potential investors.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer discusses workations as a way to support talent retention, noting the legal, tax and immigration considerations involved.

Blog post
Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Media mentions
Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Blog post
Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.