Côte d'Ivoire: Entry Rules for VisitorsLast check:Last update:Data statusLast check:Last update:
Côte d'Ivoire:Visa Requirement Map
Explore which nationalities need a visa to enter this country and which can enter visa-free.
Côte d'Ivoire: Visa and entry documents and requirements
Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.
Visa-Free Entry Requirements
- Passengers entitled to visa-free entry must travel with a valid passport or a valid travel document accepted under an applicable international agreement. When using a passport, the document must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry into Côte d’Ivoire. Passengers granted the right to use a national identity card under an international agreement may enter with a valid national identity document.
- Every visitor arriving in Côte d’Ivoire must present a valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate. Passengers without a valid certificate or proof of vaccination may be directed to vaccination at Abidjan Airport and land and sea border posts. The official guide dated June 2026 states an amount of 7,000 CFA francs, 11 euros or 15 US dollars for this procedure. Passengers who cannot be vaccinated due to medical contraindications must carry an official doctor's note.
E-Visa Application Requirements
- E-visa pre-registration is only issued for holders of an ordinary passport with a validity of at least six months. During the application, personal information, travel details and information on contacts in Côte d’Ivoire must be entered into the online system.
- The page(s) of the passport containing personal data, a round-trip flight booking, and an invitation letter or accommodation document must be uploaded. These three documents are mandatory; the absence of any one of them will result in the rejection of the application. Files must be prepared in JPG, PNG, GIF or PDF format, and each file must be 1 MB or less in size.
- The invitation letter must be prepared on a computer, printed, signed, stamped and certified by an authorized authority. The accommodation document must contain the host's name, identity number, occupation, address, telephone and detailed residence information; the invited person's name, place of origin, accommodation dates and purpose of visit. The signature on the document must be certified by the municipality.
- The e-visa fee is 73 euros including bank charges. Payment is made with Visa or Mastercard. After payment, a receipt containing the personal payment code is sent by email. The fee is not refunded in case of rejection of the application.
- The application response is normally sent by email within approximately 48 business hours; however this period may be exceeded due to document checks by police authorities. The application must be completed sufficiently in advance of travel.
- The positive pre-registration certificate is valid for three months from the date of approval. The e-visa is issued for three months and multiple entry.
- The passenger must print and carry the payment receipt and the approved pre-registration certificate containing a barcode before boarding the flight. Upon arrival in Côte d’Ivoire, the passenger must apply at the “Visa Aéroport” section at Abidjan Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport. At the airport, the original payment receipt, the approved pre-registration certificate, a passport valid for at least six months, and an international yellow fever vaccination certificate are presented.
- Biometric registration is completed at the airport by taking a photo and fingerprints, and the visa is affixed to the passport. Biometric registration is repeated for each new visa application. Children under the age of twelve are not fingerprinted; however the child must be physically present. E-visa procedures are carried out at Abidjan Airport seven days a week, twenty-four hours a day.
Consular Visa Application Requirements
- As a rule, the biometric consular visa application must be made at the Côte d’Ivoire embassy or consulate in the applicant's country of residence.
- The applicant must first pay the visa fee and take a mandatory appointment. At the appointment, the original payment receipt, the appointment confirmation, a fully completed and signed application form, one recent photo, a passport valid for at least six months, and photocopies of the first three pages of the passport are presented.
- The photo size is not uniformly specified in official sources. The SNEDAI central embassy procedure uses the size 5 × 7 cm, while the official government guide dated June 2026 gives the size 45 × 35 mm. The current photo size of the mission where the application is made should be taken as a basis.
- For a biometric application, the applicant must appear in person. During the application, a photo and fingerprints are taken. For collection of the visa, the applicant may also be required to appear in person at the mission and present the registration receipt.
- The basic visa fee is 50 euros, exclusive of bank charges. There are also official statements indicating that with appointment and online payment charges the total amount can reach 58 euros. The exact total must be verified according to the mission where the application is made and the payment method. Payment is made online in euros. In some countries, additional methods such as bank transfer, international transfer, cheque or cash may be available. The fee is not refunded in case of refusal.
- The general biometric visa processing time is indicated as approximately 48 hours after completion of biometric registration. The mission's working days, additional checks and appointment volume may extend the time.
- A consular visa may be issued for periods from one day up to three months. Single entry or multiple entry authorization varies according to the visa type and the decision of the mission.
- For applications for tourism and holiday purposes, a hotel reservation and a document showing sufficient financial means for the duration of the travel must be submitted.
- For business purpose applications, an invitation letter or assignment letter, proof of being a businessperson or having commercial activity, a hotel reservation, and a document of sufficient financial means are submitted. The exact type of company documents, the period of the bank statement and the required minimum amount may vary according to the mission where the application is made.
- For health or social purpose applications, a hotel reservation, an invitation letter, and a medical report or appointment document from the healthcare facility where treatment will be provided are submitted.
- For study or research purpose applications, a registration or pre-registration document from the university or a public institution, a recent student certificate or student card, the most recent diplomas, a rental contract or student dormitory accommodation document, and a document showing means of subsistence during the education period are submitted. Scholarship holders must provide a document showing the amount and duration of the scholarship. For students without a scholarship, financial means of 1,000,000 CFA francs per academic year are envisaged. Taking out health insurance is also envisaged.
- In applications where travel or health insurance is required, the insurance must cover the entire stay in Côte d’Ivoire.
- For minor applicants, a birth certificate and a parental consent document issued by the father, mother or legal guardian, presented in original and certified, are required. Some missions may request parental identity documents, a custody document, or an additional certified permission from the non-travelling parent.
- Holders of a diplomatic or service passport are required to provide a verbal note, a completed and signed application form, one photo and an order of mission. These passport holders may be exempt from the visa fee. The exemption and list of documents may vary according to the type of passport, nationality and applicable bilateral agreements.
- The international yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry into Côte d’Ivoire. Some missions also require the original and a photocopy of the certificate to be included in the visa file.
Transit Visa Requirements
- The official visa application form includes a transit visa option from one day up to three days. The transit visa application is made at the Côte d’Ivoire diplomatic mission in the applicant's country of residence, and the general biometric consular visa procedure applies.
- The applicant must submit the payment receipt, appointment confirmation, completed and signed application form, recent photo, passport valid for at least six months, and photocopies of passport pages as requested by the mission. The transit option must be marked on the application form and the planned travel dates must be correctly indicated.
- Documents for the next country such as ticket, flight reservation, visa for the final destination country, accommodation document, and documents regarding whether one will leave the airport may be requested depending on the mission.
- While a processing time of approximately 48 hours is envisaged for general biometric visa procedures, the current instructions of the relevant mission should be taken as a basis for transit applications.
- A valid international yellow fever vaccination certificate must be presented if passing through border control or entering Côte d’Ivoire territory.