Menu
Expat.com

Traveling to Ivory Coast

Traveling to Ivory Coast
shutterstock.com
Updated byAnne-Lise Mtyon 27 April 2016

Formalities related to traveling to Ivory Coast are strict but simple. Find some useful information in this article.

If you are looking forward to travel to Ivory Coast, you are probably wondering whether you need a visa or not. In general, all travelers require a visa to travel to Ivory Coast. Nationals of some countries, however, are exempted from the visa requirement. They can simply travel there with a valid passport.

Note that Ivorian authorities distinguish between ordinary passports, service passports and diplomatic passports. Therefore, entry conditions are different for holders of these two types of passports. Holders of the ordinary passport are required to apply for a passport to travel to Ivory Coast.

Visas

There are two types of biometric visas for Ivory Coast: the official visa and the ordinary visa. The official visa applies to holders of the diplomatic, service or official passport. Holders of ordinary passports, for their part, are entitled to the ordinary visa.

Visas are also subdivided into different categories with varying validity periods. Different fees apply. Find more information on visas in the article Visas for Ivory Coast.

Minors

Minors traveling alone or with a single parent must be in possession of an authorization letter issued by either the other parent or both parents. The latter must also be in possession of his own passport. Thus, minors who are included in their parent's passport will not be allowed into the country.

On your arrival

On arriving in Ivory Coast, you are required to produce your passport, which must be valid for six months following your return date as indicated on your return air tickets, and your visa. Note that the visa has to be requested from the Ivorian diplomatic authorities in your home country.

Important:

Vaccination against yellow fever is compulsory at least 10 days prior to the scheduled travel date. Your vaccination card will be requested by the Customs upon your arrival.

Useful links:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs ' Entry formalities www.diplomatie.gouv.ci
List of countries whose nationals require and don't require a visa to travel to Ivory Coast www.diplomatie.gouv.ci/userfiles
Ivory Coast Customs Department www.douanes.ci
US Embassy in Ivory Coast abidjan.usembassy.gov
UK Embassy in Ivory Coast www.gov.uk/government/world
List of foreign embassies and consulates in Ivory Coast embassy.goabroad.com

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

Anne-Lise studied Psychology for 4 years in the UK before finding her way back to Mauritius and being a journalist for 3 years and heading Expat.com's editorial department for 5. She loves politics, books, tea, running, swimming, hiking...

Back to Ivory Coast expat guide

Comments

See also

  • Transports in Abidjan
    Transports in Abidjan

    Wondering how to move around in Abidjan? Find, in this article, all that you need to know on the Ivorian capital ...

  • Phones and Internet in Ivory Coast
    Phones and Internet in Ivory Coast

    Ivory Coast is with no doubt one of the most connected African countries. Find out, in this article, how to obtain ...

  • Traveling to Ivory Coast with your pets
    Traveling to Ivory Coast with your pets

    Wondering how to travel to Ivory Coast with your pet? Find the answers to your queries in this article.

  • Accommodation in Ivory Coast
    Accommodation in Ivory Coast

    Looking for accommodation in Ivory Coast? What are the types of housing units that are available for expatriates? ...

  • Setting up a business in Ivory Coast
    Setting up a business in Ivory Coast

    Looking forward to set up a business in Ivory Coast? Find all that you need to know on related procedures in this ...

  • Work in Ivory Coast
    Work in Ivory Coast

    Looking forward to move to Ivory Coast? Here are an overview of its labor market and some tips to help you land a ...

  • Work in Abidjan
    Work in Abidjan

    If you are looking forward to work in a West African city, why not turn towards Abidjan? Find, in this article, ...

  • Accommodation in Grand-Bassam
    Accommodation in Grand-Bassam

    Wondering how to find accommodation in Grand-Bassam? Here is an overview of its rental market.

All of Ivory Coast's guide articles