Arrival in Ivory Coast

There is no single national arrival desk for entry into Ivory Coast. Responsibilities are distributed among, among others, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its consulates, the official e-visa service (SNEDAI), the territorial surveillance directorate (Direction de la Surveillance du Territoire (DST)), the airport visa office, the National Office for Civil Status and Identification (ONECI), and local bodies such as a town hall (mairie), sub-prefecture (sous-préfecture) or police station (commissariat). The official language is French, and payments are made in the West African CFA franc (CFA franc BCEAO; XOF); 1 EUR equals 655.957 XOF. Yamoussoukro is the political and administrative capital, while Abidjan is the economic center. Nationals of the Economic Community of West African States (CEDEAO) need a valid travel document and an international health certificate. In principle, they may enter without a visa for up to 90 days, but they must check the specific implementation with the consulate or carrier before departure. A permit or extension is required for a stay of more than 90 days. Travelers from countries outside CEDEAO apply for a visa through an embassy or the official SNEDAI e-visa service; an application or advance authorization does not guarantee entry. For the e-visa, the ordinary passport must remain valid for at least six months. The passport data page, a reservation for a return flight, and either an invitation letter or proof of accommodation must be uploaded. Each file may be no larger than 1 MB. The fee is EUR 73 including bank charges. The visa is valid for three months and allows multiple entries; processing takes more than 48 working hours on working days from Monday to Friday. The confirmed pre-registration remains valid for three months. For arrival at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Airport in Abidjan, the receipt, authorization, passport and yellow fever certificate must be available in printed form. At the airport, entry takes place through the visa office. This includes biometric registration, a photograph and fingerprints. The office operates around the clock. Children under twelve do not provide fingerprints but must be present. On arrival, the yellow fever certificate and body temperature may be checked. Originals and copies of the documents should remain readily available because discrepancies between the application, passport, entry stamp, health certificate and accommodation certificate can make further processing more difficult. Anyone who is not a national of a CEDEAO country and stays longer than three months applies to ONECI, the national body for civil status and identification, for a residence permit (Carte de résident). The first application requires, among other things, a passport and copy, the visa and latest entry stamp, a birth certificate or substitute document, a criminal-record certificate, proof of residence issued no more than six months earlier, and proof of the reason for the stay, for example work, study, trade or retirement. Documents that are not in French must be translated and certified. The fee is 300000 XOF for other nationals from outside CEDEAO, 150000 XOF for French nationals, and 35000 XOF for French cooperants or religious workers. Additional penalty fees may apply after a stay of more than three months. Proof of residence can be provided, among other things, with a bill from CIE or SODECI, an accommodation certificate (attestation d’hébergement) or a lease. The residence permit serves as local proof of access, but it does not replace advice on finding accommodation. Identification is mandatory and free of charge for a mobile SIM or telephone line; foreign nationals need at least a biometric passport, a Carte de résident or an accepted biometric identity document. Before departure, nationality, length of stay, entry stamp, yellow fever certificate and proof of accommodation should be checked together.