Immigration Info - Cote d’Ivoire

Overview of entry formalities in Côte d'Ivoire

To enter Côte d´Ivoire, all foreigners must be in possession of a valid national passport, laissez-passer or travel document containing at least the photograph of a holder, on which has been affixed, beforehand, a biometric entry visa.

The biometric visa for entry into Ivory Coast is

• or an ordinary visa, affixed in the ordinary passport.
• either an official visa, affixed in the diplomatic, service or official passport.

Whether ordinary or official, the biometric entry visa is, depending on the length of stay:

• A transit visa, which cannot exceed three (03) days;
• A short-stay visa, which cannot exceed three (03) months;
• A long-stay visa, which cannot exceed one (01) year.

Likewise, the biometric entry visa is, depending on the reason for which it is requested:

• A business visa;
• A study visa;
• A tourism and leisure visa;
• A health and social affairs visa.

The biometric entry visa is issued, primarily, by diplomatic and consular representations abroad and, exceptionally, by traditional sites, at Felix HOUPHOUET BOIGNY International Airport in Abidjan and at any other border post. .

Procedure for issuing the biometric visa

• Free collection of the visa application form, at the following sites:

• Enrollment and issuance center of the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance or Embassy;
• Website www.snedai.com

• Mandatory appointment.

Maximum fees collected: three thousand three hundred (3,300) CFA francs (subject to reciprocity)

• Payment of biometric visa fees at one of the selected bank branches. The official visa is free (subject to reciprocity).

Fees collected: sixty-five thousand six hundred francs (65,600) CFA convertible into local currency.

• Submission of the application file to the enrollment and issuance center with the required documents (see the list of documents to be provided), validated by a receipt for the biometric visa application file submission.
• Issuance of the biometric visa is forty-eight (48) hours maximum from the date of enrollment of the person concerned, against discharge and on presentation of the receipt for the visa application file.
• The foreign minor, whatever his age, must have a personal passport. The biometric visa is issued at the place of enlistment.

Useful link

http://diplomatie.gouv.ci/conseils-aux-voyageurs/#formalite-dentree