The African nations government agreed a bill that means for a Christian denomination to be recognised it must have at least 500 members and a proper building.
There are currently around 557 denominations of the faith in Burundi which is partly down to the increase of Evangelical churches during the long civil war which ended in 2005.
Once the bill officially becomes law churches would have a year to comply or face being shut down.
An international church would need to have 1,000 followers before it could set up in the country.
In recent years the country has seen scandals involving some preachers who are accused of manipulating followers.
It's reported in one case a preacher told women who were unable to have children they would conceive if they slept with him.
The bill is expected to face no opposition from the president who has to approve it.