How to Get a Visa for Ivory Coast - Travel Information

Ivory Coast is an African country in the midst of tourism development. With a population of almost 25 million inhabitants, it receives about 2 million tourists a year. Ivory Coast is a paradise for nature lovers and has incredible places like the Taï National Park.

The Senufos tribe, much like the Maasai of Kenya, is one of the last indigenous tribes of Africa. Ivory Coast boasts some of the continent's most exotic beaches, such as Grand Bassam, surrounded by thousands of unique blue starfish and excellent beachfront resorts.

Modern buildings and skyscrapers and a bustling social scene, make Yamoussoukro or its capital Abidjan some of Ivory Coast tourist attractions. Ivory Coast is one of the unknown countries in Africa, which is opening its way to tourism, showcasing the culture and the kindness of its Ivorian inhabitants. In this guide, you will learn how to get a visa for Ivory Coast.

Do I need a visa to travel to Ivory Coast?

Yes, most nationalities will require an Ivory Coast visa to visit the country. Nationalities exempt from the visa application include Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Philippines, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Togo and Tunisia.

All other nationalities in the world must apply for a permit or visa to enter the country. Depending on your nationality, you may be able to apply for an electronic visa or you may have to go to an embassy. You can check your nationality in this eligibility checker.

Types of visas for Ivory Coast

There are several types of visas to enter Ivory Coast, depending on your reason for travel:

Tourist visa

This visa is for people travelling to the country for leisure and tourism. It is valid for a maximum of 90 days.

Transit visa

This visa is necessary if your entry to the country is for a stopover, but Ivory Coast is not your final destination. It is valid for a maximum of 3 days for transit within the country.

Business visa

It is valid for a maximum of 90 days, and you are not allowed to work with this visa. Meetings or commercial business activities within Ivory Coast are allowed.

Health or Social Affairs Visa (NGO)

It is valid for 90 days and is compulsory for people entering the country for reasons of illness, operations or any medical consultation. It is also the necessary permit for all volunteers and NGO workers.

Study or research visa

The validity of this visa depends on the stay granted by Ivory Coast and depends on the function performed. We must attach all the necessary documents, as well as the registration form or a letter of invitation from the institute or university where you will be working.

Long term visa

This visa allows a maximum stay of one year in the country.

Official or diplomatic visa

They are valid for 90 days and are only for guests of the Ivorian government, politicians or official members.

How to get a visa for Ivory Coast?

There are three different ways on how to get a visa for Ivory Coast (a tourist or business visa). The most widely used is the online visa, called eVisa: this visa is processed online through the official government website or specialized companies such as Visagov.com. This is the most recommended visa because is the fastest to obtain. It avoids having to go to the country's embassy or stand in line at the airport.

The second most common procedure is the On-Arrival Visa: this one is processed at the airport in Ivory Coast. It is an alternative if you are travelling with little time to spare, although it is advisable to try and take the visa already approved before entering the country. Any lack of documentation can create a setback at the airport and possible processing queues.

When your nationality or reason for visiting does not fall under any of the above options, you will need to go to an embassy personally to apply for the visa. 

Who needs a visa for Ivory Coast?

All travellers to Ivory Coast must obtain a visa for this purpose. Some exceptions do not require a visa for stays not exceeding 90 days, as is the case in some of its neighboring countries. You can check here if our nationality is eligible to apply for a visa online.

On the other hand, three nationalities are not allowed to enter the country: Mauritania, Mali and Sierra Leone.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa to Ivory Coast?

The requirements for applying for a visa for the Ivory Coast are:

• Have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months at the time of entry to the country.
• To be vaccinated against yellow fever and to present the vaccination card for inspection.
• Present the flight document with date of entry and exit of the country.
• Have a letter of invitation, if visiting a relative or an entity or the hotel reservation where we are going to stay.
• Have a credit card to pay the visa fees.

Can the Ivory Coast visa be changed once it has been processed?

Once the visa application has been processed, it is not possible to change any of the data. Your approval will arrive with the data entered on the form. If you make a mistake, you will need to create a new application and pay the fees again and will not be eligible for any refund.

How much does a visa to Ivory Coast cost?

The cost of the online tourist visa fees for Ivory Coast is 73€ and for visas that cannot be obtained online you must contact the Ivorian embassy or consulate nearest to our place of residence.

How far in advance do I need to apply for an Ivory Coast visa?

Once you submit your request, and if there are no setbacks such as the government requiring more information, then the waiting time is between 5 and 7 working days. It is advisable to apply for your visa at least 20/30 days before your trip.

What are the entry borders to Ivory Coast?

Due to its location, Ivory Coast can be reached by land, sea and air. The most common way is to access the country through one of its airports:

• Abidjan International Airport (ABJ). It is located 14 km from the capital.
• Bouaké Airport (BYK). Located 8 km from the city that gives it its name. Bouaké is the second-largest city in the country.
• Korhogo Airport (HGO). Located in the north of the country, 11 km from the city that gives it its name.
• Man Airport (MJC). Located in the west of the country, 15 km from the city of Man.
• San Pedro Airport (SPY). Located in the west of the country's coast. It is only 5 km from San Pedro.
• Odienné Airport (KEO). Located in the northwest of the country.

If you stopover with a cruise ship, you will do so through the port of Abidjan and if you enter the country with another type of boat, you can also do so through the Port of San Pedro.

These are the land borders of the Ivory Coast:

• Land border post of Guinea - Ivory Coast
• Liberia - Ivory Coast land border post
• Mali land border post - Ivory Coast
• Ghana - Côte d'Ivoire land border post
• Burkina Faso - Côte d'Ivoire border post (border crossing not recommended)

Wherever you intend to enter the country, you must do so with an approved and valid visa, as well as all the necessary documentation. It is recommended to avoid entry through any border post that concerns Burkina Faso, which is dangerous due to the political conflicts in the country.

Do I need a transit visa to travel to Ivory Coast?

Yes, you’ll need a transit visa to transit through Ivory Coast. Note that this type of visa is only valid for 3 days.