Entry Procedures
Visa and entry requirements depend on the country that issued your passport. The information here is general guidance. Always confirm the requirements for your own nationality with the official source.
This information is for general guidance only. Please verify with the embassy or official government sources before traveling.
Visa Requirements
Types of visas required and their conditions
Côte d'Ivoire requires many nationalities to obtain an e-Visa, applied for online in advance before travel. The e-Visa is typically approved online and finalised on arrival at Abidjan Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Airport (ABJ). Requirements depend on your nationality, and some nationals are exempt. Rules can change, so check the official Ivorian e-Visa portal and your embassy before you travel.
- Visa
- e-Visa (apply online)
- Main entry
- Abidjan (ABJ)
- Check
- Official sources
- Visa requirements depend on your nationality
- Apply for the e-Visa online in advance; check official Ivorian sources before travel
Passport Conditions
Required validity period and blank pages
Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your date of entry into Côte d'Ivoire and have at least one or two blank pages for stamps. The passport details must match the information on your e-Visa application. Check your specific requirements with the official Ivorian sources before you travel.
- Validity
- 6 months recommended
- Blank pages
- For stamps
- Match
- e-Visa details
- Six months' passport validity beyond entry is recommended
- Passport details must match your e-Visa application
Required Documents & Pre-registration
Arrival cards, health declarations, and other preparations
At the border you may be asked to show supporting documents in addition to your passport and e-Visa. These can include a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation), evidence of sufficient funds, and your yellow fever vaccination certificate, which is required for entry. Have these ready to speed up entry.
- Ticket
- Return/onward
- Stay
- Accommodation proof
- Health
- Yellow fever certificate
- Carry proof of accommodation and onward travel
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry
Pre-arrival procedure — Côte d'Ivoire e-Visa: eligible ordinary-passport holders pre-enroll online with the official operator SNEDAI (snedai.com/e-visa) before travel, pay the fee and receive an approved pre-enrollment document; biometrics are captured and the visa is printed on arrival at Abidjan airport. ECOWAS nationals are exempt. A yellow fever certificate is required. Beware paid look-alike sites.
Official Côte d'Ivoire e-Visa (snedai.com/e-visa)- Surname
- SMITH
- Given name
- MICHAEL
- Nationality
- Your nationality (e.g. a representative country)
- Passport number
- A1234567
- Arrival date
- 2026-04-10
- Entry city
- Abidjan
Steps
- 1 On snedai.com/e-visa check whether your nationality needs e-Visa or is visa-free/exempt
- 2 Complete the application and upload the passport page/photo as required
- 3 Pay the official fee and save the approved e-Visa (print or keep on your phone)
- 4 Present it at check-in and immigration together with your passport
Eligibility, fees, processing time and validity can change; for accurate details we recommend checking with the official government portal before you travel.
Last updated: 2026-08-30
Cash Import Limits
Declaration-free limits and procedures for excess amounts
When entering or leaving Côte d'Ivoire, amounts of cash above the set threshold must be declared to customs. As Côte d'Ivoire is part of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), currency export rules apply, especially for the CFA franc. Failure to declare can lead to fines or seizure, so complete a cash declaration when required and keep exchange receipts.
- Threshold
- Declare above limit
- When
- Entering/leaving
- Action
- Declare to customs
- WAEMU currency export rules apply, especially for CFA francs
- Non-declaration may result in fines or seizure
Duty-Free Allowances & Restricted Items
Limits on tobacco, alcohol, food, and other goods
Arriving in Côte d'Ivoire, you have duty-free allowances for goods such as alcohol and tobacco for personal use, within set limits. Goods clearly beyond personal use may be subject to duty. Restrictions apply to certain items, so declare anything of high value and check current allowances with Ivorian Customs before you travel.
- Personal use
- Duty-free limits
- Alcohol/tobacco
- Within limits
- High value
- Declare
- Duty-free allowances apply to alcohol and tobacco for personal use
- Goods beyond personal use may be subject to duty
Prohibited Items
Items that are strictly forbidden from import
Illegal drugs are strictly prohibited and penalties are severe. There are restrictions on weapons and ammunition, and on products from protected species under CITES (such as ivory or certain skins). Rough diamonds and some cultural or wildlife items are also controlled. Check Ivorian Customs rules and obtain any required permits before you travel.
- Drugs
- Prohibited
- Weapons
- Restricted
- CITES
- Protected species
- Ivory and protected species products need CITES permits
- Weapons, ammunition and rough diamonds are controlled
Medication Import Rules
Rules for bringing prescription and over-the-counter drugs
Bring personal medicines in their original packaging and carry a copy of your prescription or a doctor's letter, ideally in French. Some medicines that are common at home may be controlled in Côte d'Ivoire, so carry only reasonable quantities for personal use. If you rely on essential medication, bring enough for your trip and keep it in your hand luggage.
- Packaging
- Original
- Document
- Prescription/letter
- Quantity
- Personal use
- Carry a prescription or doctor's letter, ideally in French
- Bring enough essential medication in your hand luggage
Vaccinations & Health Requirements
Required and recommended vaccines for entry
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required for entry into Côte d'Ivoire for travellers arriving from all countries. Malaria is present throughout the country, so antimalarial precautions are strongly advised. Other vaccinations such as hepatitis A and typhoid are commonly recommended. Consult a travel health clinic well before you travel for advice tailored to you.
- Yellow fever
- Certificate required
- Malaria
- Present countrywide
- Advice
- Travel health clinic
- Yellow fever certificate is required for entry
- Antimalarial precautions are strongly advised
Immigration Process
Step-by-step guide from arrival to clearing immigration
Most visitors arrive at Abidjan Félix-Houphouët-Boigny Airport (ABJ). At immigration, present your passport, e-Visa approval and yellow fever certificate. Officers may ask about your accommodation and length of stay, and biometric data such as fingerprints may be collected. Have your documents ready and keep any entry stamp or card safe for departure.
- Airport
- Abidjan (ABJ)
- Show
- Passport/e-Visa
- Health
- Yellow fever proof
- Biometric data such as fingerprints may be collected
- Keep your entry stamp or card safe for departure
Tips for Smooth Entry
Practical advice for a hassle-free arrival
French is the official language, so a few French phrases go a long way. The dialling code is +225. Carry a copy of your passport and yellow fever certificate while keeping the originals safe. Mobile money and the Wave app are widely used, so a local SIM can be handy. Check the latest official travel advice for security and health guidance before you go.
- Language
- French
- Dialling code
- +225
- Payments
- Mobile money/Wave
- Carry copies of your passport and yellow fever certificate
- Check the latest official travel advice before you go