Do I need a visa for Ivory Coast, and how do I apply for it?

If you're a traveller looking to visit Ivory Coast as a tourist destination, you may be aware that you need an official visa to enter the country. Previously, the entire visa application procedure had to be done at an Ivorian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Since 2017, however, you can now apply for a visa online using the e-visa system, which we'll explain in more detail here.

Ivory Coast visa application: In brief

• Requirement: British citizens holding an ordinary, service or diplomatic passport are required to obtain a visa to travel to Ivory Coast.
• Procedure: The e-visa application is made exclusively online via the official website or a private service provider.
• Processing time: Standard: 72 hours, express: 48 hours (2 working days) - Supplement required, urgent: 24 hours (1 working day) - Supplement required.
• Price: The price of the e-visa for Ivory Coast is 73 euros, plus any service charges.
• Documents required: passport, passport photo, return flight ticket, proof of accommodation, travel insurance

Is a visa required to travel to Ivory Coast?

Many people who like to travel wonder whether a visa or e-visa is really essential and required to travel to the Ivory Coast. The answer is simple: yes, an official document of this kind is, of course, required for travel to the country.

• All foreign citizens, including British citizens, must be in possession of this document in order to enter the Ivory Coast. But this is not the only legal requirement to be met before your stay.
• You must also be in possession of a valid passport, valid for the entire duration of your stay.
• You will also be asked to certify that you have been vaccinated against yellow fever by presenting your vaccination certificate when you arrive at the airport.
• Lastly, you will also need to prove your travel dates by presenting an outward and return ticket, or even a onward travel document with visas or residence permits for the following country or countries where these are required.

Fortunately, thanks to e-visa service sites such as the one we present on this page, these procedures are greatly simplified and can be completed in just a few minutes using a simple Internet connection.

Finally, citizens of certain specific countries are exempt from visa requirements when entering Ivory Coast. Here is the list of countries concerned. These are mainly ECOWAS member countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. Other countries such as the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Morocco, Mauritania, the Seychelles Islands, Singapore, Chad, Tunisia and the Philippines are also among those whose citizens are exempt from the Ivory Coast visa requirement.

What is the e-visa system for Ivory Coast and how does it work?

As we just told you in the introduction, there is now a simple and effective way to obtain a visa to travel to Ivory Coast without having to go to an embassy or consulate.

In fact, since 2017, the Ivory Coast government has set up a system that allows you to obtain a visa for the purpose of travelling to this country, whether for tourism or for a business trip. The system, as its name suggests, works entirely online, so there's no need to travel at all. All you have to do is follow the procedure we've outlined below, and in just a few days you'll receive your precious official document authorising you to travel to Ivory Coast.

As we'll see below, once you've received confirmation that your Ivory Coast e-visa application has been registered, all you have to do is collect the visa when you arrive at Abidjan airport, as this is the only place where you can pick it up at the moment.

Of course, the e-visa system will make things much easier for travellers to Ivory Coast. This is an online process for applying for an entry visa from any country or region in the world. There are many advantages to using this procedure, and the system guarantees that you will obtain your visa as quickly as possible and directly over the Internet. As we will see below, even the payment of fees is done directly online.

How do I apply for an e-visa for the Ivory Coast online?

If you would like to apply for an e-visa for the Ivory Coast straight away, here are the steps to follow: 

1. Go to the Ivory Coast e-visa application form

• Go to the SNEDAI website or the website of a private service provider
• Click on "Create an account" and follow the instructions
• Activate your account by clicking on the link received by email

2. Complete the e-visa application form

• Log in to your account
• Select the type of visa you require (tourist, business, etc.)
• Fill in all the required information carefully
• Make sure that the information you enter matches exactly the information in your passport
• Upload the required supporting documents (PDF or JPEG format)

3. Download the supporting documents

• Supporting documents vary depending on the type of visa and your situation.
• They may include:
  • Valid passport
  • Standard digital passport photo
  • Return or onward flight ticket
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation, invitation from a relative, etc.)
  • Proof of solvency (bank statements, bank card, etc.)
  • Travel insurance covering the duration of the stay
  • For stays of more than 90 days:
  • Supporting documents depending on the reason for the trip (invitation, letter of admission for students, etc.)

4. Pay the visa fees

• Visa price vary according to the type of visa and the deadline for obtaining it (standard, express, urgent).
• Payment is made online by credit card.

5. Submitting the Ivory Coast visa application

• Carefully check all the information you have entered and the supporting documents you have uploaded
• Confirm your application
• A confirmation email will be sent to you

6. Follow the processing of your application

• You can track the progress of your application online.
• You will be notified by email as soon as your visa is available.

7. Download and print your e-visa

• Once your e-visa has been approved, you can download and print it. 
• The printed e-visa must be presented when boarding your flight to Ivory Coast.

How do I fill in the Ivory Coast e-visa application form?

The Ivory Coast e-visa application form consists of several sections, each of which requires specific information. It is important to complete each section accurately and carefully to avoid any delays in processing your application.

Here is a detailed guide to the sections of the form and the information required:

1. Personal details

• Civil status: Mr, Mrs, Ms
• Last name: Your surname as it appears on your passport
• Name: Your forename(s) as they appear on your passport
• Date of birth
• Place of birth: City and country of birth
• Nationality: Your current nationality
• Marital status: Single, married, partnered, widowed, divorced
• Profession: Your current occupation
• Home address: Your full and current address
• Telephone number: Your mobile phone number
• Email address: Your major email address

2. Passport details

• Type of travel document: Ordinary passport, service passport, diplomatic passport
• Passport number: The number on the identity page of your passport
• Passport date of issue
• Passport expiry date
• Place of issue of passport: City and country of issue of your passport

3. Travel information

• Type of visa: Tourism, business, family visit, etc.
• Reason for visit : Specify the purpose of your trip to Ivory Coast
• Length of stay : Number of days planned for your stay in Ivory Coast
• Expected date of arrival
• Expected date of departure
• Name and address of accommodation: Hotel, rented accommodation, with a relative, etc.
• Means of transport going: Plane, boat, etc.
• Means of return transport : Plane, boat, etc.

4. Additional information

• Have you ever been to the Ivory Coast? Yes or No
• Have you ever been refused entry to any country? Yes or No
• Do you have any criminal convictions? Yes or No
• Do you suffer from a chronic illness? Yes or No
• Do you have travel insurance? Yes or No

5. Upload supporting documents

• Standard digital passport photo
• Copy of passport identity page
• Return or onward flight ticket
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation, invitation from a relative, etc.)
• Proof of solvency (bank statements, bank card, etc.)
• Travel insurance covering the duration of the stay
• For stays of more than 90 days:
  • Supporting documents depending on the reason for the trip (invitation, letter of admission for students, etc.)

How long is an e-visa for Ivory Coast valid for?

Another question that many travellers ask themselves, and which we're going to answer now, concerns how long an Ivory Coast visa is valid. It's worth knowing this information if you want to apply for your visa at the right time, depending on your departure date, or if you want to visit the country several times.

The e-visa for Ivory Coast is unusual in that the start of its validity period corresponds to the date of arrival in the country, not the date on which the application is made. However, this date must be indicated on the visa application form beforehand, as must the date of exit.

The Ivory Coast e-visa is a multiple-entry visa. This means that you can use it to make several trips to the country.

What is the price of an e-visa for Ivory Coast?

The price of an Ivory Coast e-visa for British nationals is €73, but this varies according to the processing time you choose.

It is important to note that these prices are inclusive of all taxes, but that service charges may be added. Payment is made online by credit card when the visa application is submitted.

What documents and evidence do you need to enclose with your Ivory Coast visa application?

When applying for an e-visa for Ivory Coast, you will need to provide a number of supporting documents. The following factors must be included in your application:

• Your visa order form. This is the form you will fill in online on the official website or the e-visa application website of your choice.
• A passport photo. This must, of course, comply with the standards and rules in force, particularly as regards its format. The official format is 4.5 x 3.5cm.
• You must also be in possession of a valid passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of your return. You will be asked for your passport number when you fill in the online e-visa application form. Plan to take a copy of this passport with you.
• You should also bring your flight ticket with the dates and details of your outward and return flights.
• You may also be asked for an accommodation certificate, such as a hotel booking confirmation showing the dates and total length of your stay. You may also be asked to provide a certificate of accommodation drawn up by an Ivorian resident and accompanied by a copy of his or her identity card.
• Finally, you will also need to provide a copy of your vaccination booklet showing the yellow fever vaccine.

When should I apply for a visa for Ivory Coast?

The ideal time to apply for a visa for Ivory Coast depends on a number of factors, including

• The date of your trip: It is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your departure date, to give yourself enough time to receive your visa before your planned date of travel. In general, it is recommended that you apply at least 15 working days before your departure.
• Time of year: The Ivory Coast's peak tourist season runs from October to March. During this period, visa application processing times can be longer. It is therefore advisable to apply for your visa even earlier if you are travelling during this period.
• The type of visa requested: Certain types of visa, such as business visas or long-stay visas, may require additional documents and longer processing times. It is therefore important to find out the specific processing times for your type of visa before making your application.
• Your personal imperatives: If you have personal imperatives that require you to obtain your visa quickly, you can opt for an express turnaround for an additional fee.

Here are some general recommendations for when to apply for a visa for Ivory Coast:

• For a tourist trip during the high season (October to March): Apply at least 30 working days before departure.
• For a business trip or a long stay: Submit your request at least 45 working days before departure.
• For travel outside the high season and for a standard visa: Apply at least 15 working days before departure.
• If you have personal requirements: Find out more about express application deadlines and any additional fees that may apply.