I just found out that you can't buy a visa when you enter Burundi anymore... and I travel
in 5 days. It just so happened I strayed onto an article which pointed out that
although this use to be the case, you now have to apply via the Burundi
Embassy. So today, I've just been down to Uganda house at Trafalgar square,
where the Burundi Embassy cohabits with the Ugandan and Ecuadorian Embassies.
I've walked past the Embassy a hundred times and never new it was there..
I'd prepared all my
paperwork in advance, got my proof of vaccinations, photos, tickets etc. but
when I got down there I was met with a locked Embassy. Apparently June 3rd is a
Bank Holiday in Uganda. Bugger.
I went for a
sit down with the big lions in Trafalgar square to mull things over and decided
it was best to give them a ring. Luckily, I got through to a very helpful fella who told me
to 'go round the back' of the Embassy and he would let me in. I was met by an
extremely smartly dressed chap who escorted up into the Embassy.
This guy turned out to be the First Secretary and proceeded to
efficiently process my visa. I have to go back on Wednesday to pick it up.
All good but that
was close. I thought the whole trip was out the window then!
For anyone interested, the visa normally takes 5 working days to process and cost £60. You have to have proof of your tickets / travel arrangements as well as justification and written proof why you need to go. You also need your yellow fever vaccination card.
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