ABOUT COTE D’IVOIRE
Cote d’Ivoire, also known as the Ivory Coast, is a country in Africa’s western part. It is bordered by the likes of Guinea, Liberia, and Ghana. Its capital is Abidjan. Its official language is french, although indigenous languages are widely spoken. With a total land area of 322,463 km2 (124,504 sq mi), it has an estimated 26,378,274 people. Ivory Coast is filled with sprawling rainforests and numerous beach resorts.
COTE D’IVOIRE VISA
Like most nations, Foreigners need to obtain a visa to access Cote d’Ivoire. The Cote d’Ivoire visa is official paperwork obtained by a foreigner to be allowed to enter Cote d’Ivoire. It can be applied for and obtained online or through the various Cote d’Ivoire embassies.
CAN I APPLY?
No country is barred from entering Cote d’Ivoire. There are only Visa free countries.
TYPES OF VISA AVAILABLE IN COTE D’IVOIRE
- Tourist visa
- Business visa
- Official or Diplomatic Visa
Tourist visa
A foreigner can obtain a tourist visa to Cote d’Ivoire for sightseeing, tourism, or visiting family members.
Business visa
A foreigner can obtain a Business visa to Cote d’Ivoire for the purpose of business. Attending conferences, sales meetings, or seminars, and providing services.
Official or Diplomatic Visa
A foreigner can obtain these Visa types to access Cote d’Ivoire for diplomatic or official matters.
COTE D’IVOIRE VISA REQUIREMENTS
Tourist Visa:
Passport: Valid and signed by the appropriate authorities. And the amount of validity period remaining should exceed six months. There should also be a blank page for visas.
Passport photos: Two passport photos are needed.
Proof of departure: Please send a copy of your travel account showing when you’ll arrive and depart the western African nation
Invitation and hotel confirmation: On arrival, if you’re lodging in a hotel, you’re required to show proof of reservation. If you’re lodging privately in a home, you’re required to provide a letter of invitation from the host.
International Certificate of Vaccination: You must own a certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever by WHO
Application form:Submit two completed and signed forms.
Business visa:
Passport: Valid and signed by the appropriate authorities. And the amount of validity period remaining should exceed six months. There should also be a blank page for visas.
Passports photos: Two passport photos are needed.
Proof of departure: Please send a copy of your travel account showing when you’ll arrive and depart the western African nation.
Business Letter: You’ll be required to write a letter using the company letterhead and explain why and for which business purposes you’re visiting. In this letter, you’re required to provide all the information as to why you’re visiting.
Invitation: A letter showing from the host company showing that you are invited.
International Certificate of Vaccination: You must own a certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever by WHO
Application form: Submit two Completed and signed forms.
Official or Diplomatic Visa:
Passport: Valid and signed by the appropriate authorities. And the amount of validity period remaining should exceed six months. There should also be a blank page for visas.
Passports photos: Two passport photos are needed.
Diplomat letter: A letter from the ministry or agency you’re from would be required. The letter must state your position and title, including the reason you’re visiting.
International Certificate of Vaccination: You must own a certificate of Vaccination against yellow fever by WHO
Application form: Submit two Completed and signed forms.
STEPS ON APPLICATION FOR A COTE D’IVOIRE VISA
Visit a Cote d’Ivoire embassy with the appropriate documents. Or you can apply online.
Steps on the online application:
- The website for the Cote d’Ivoire visa application is https://snedai.com/e-visa/. On visiting the website, you tap on to begin the application.
- The application process spans five pages. You will be required to fill in your most basic details in the first three pages. You will be directed to where you can upload your required documents. It is pertinent to note that these documents should be correct as there will be no refunds if you upload incorrect documents.
- Those documents should include copies of your passports, flight guide etc, after which you must agree to visa terms. After clicking, you will be directed to where you will pay either Mastercard or Visa. Your application can now be submitted. If submitted successfully, an email Will be sent to you confirming receipt of the application.
- It is stipulated that you are to wait at least forty-eight hours for your Visa. It will be sent to you via email with a PDF of the visa confirmation. You’re advised to print it out as it will be needed upon your arrival.
VISA VALIDITY:
A Cote d’Ivoire visa has a validity span of ninety days. It is a multiple entry visa. A multiple entry visa is a visa that permits an individual to access a country multiple times within the validity period.
VISA FEES:
The Côte d’Ivoire visa fee is 79 dollars.
VISA FREE COUNTRIES:
90 days:
Nationals of selected African countries, including Tunisia, Mauritania, Seychelles, and Morocco. And some Asian countries like Singapore and the Philippines can enter and stay in Cote d’Ivoire without a Visa for 90 days.
Members of Ecowas, which includes Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, etc. Are allowed to enter Cote d’Ivoire without a visa.
The nationals of the People’s Republic of China, Gabon, South Africa, who possess diplomatic passports, can enter Coted’Ivoire visa-free.
VISA EXTENSION: If there is a need for an extension of your Visa, apply for an extension on snedai.com, or you contact the country’s immigration department and request for an extension in advance before your comment visa expires.
COVID 19 TRAVEL GUIDELINES FOR COTE D’IVOIRE
Everybody traveling to the Ivory coast must take a PCR test for COVID 19. He/she is expected to submit a negative result to be eligible for travel. You are also required to fill a form for declaring fit health, and a four-digit code will be sent to you, you are to present it on arrival.
PCR test for COVID 19
Every visiting individual except children who are under the age of twelve from anywhere must present a negative result certificate—a printed one. The test result should be from a renowned and legit lab. This should be done at least seven days before departure.
Forms that are required
Every individual must present a filled and Completed form—the Health Declaration form, which is issued on the Transport ministry site. You are required to present a printed version to the appropriate health authorities when you arrive.
After filling in the required information on the site, a four-digit code will be sent to you. This code will be used to download and print the form which you will present at the Abidjan airport.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION (FAQ)
How do I travel into Cote d’Ivoire?
By Plane: You can get into Cote d’Ivoire by plane through the Felix-Houphouet Boigny International Airport. This Airport in Abidjan has flights that operate from Paris in France, Istanbul in Turkey, Brussels in Belgium, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Cairo in Egypt, Casablanca in Morocco, Johannesburg in South Africa etc.
By Train: you can get into Cote d’Ivoire by Train. It could be a rather unforgettable journey as the trains are always over packed with people, luggage, and animals. It is also riffed with pickpockets.
By Car: you can enter Cote D’Ivoire by Car via the surrounding countries. However, it is not advisable to do so. It is pertinent to note that there are many checkpoints, so you are advised to travel with your documents.
By Bus: There are daily bus services from Accra in Ghana to Abidjan.
By Boat: you can enter cote d’Ivoire by Boat via the surrounding waters.
IS COTE D’IVOIRE SAFE?
In general terms, Côte d’Ivoire is not very safe. There’s a high level of petty and violent crime coupled with political disturbance.
Avoid traveling to the area bordering Mali, Liberia, and Burkina Faso. Corrupt officials and illegal armed groups are involved in excess extortion and banditry in these areas. There are also frequent clashes between bandits and security forces. There is a high risk of terrorism in these areas.
Pick pocketing and purse snatching are random occurrence in the country. These petty criminals can turn violent when resisted. You’re at threat of being robbed. Stealing of luxury cars is rampant. Endeavour to lock your car doors and windows all the time. The crime rate goes up at night. You’re advised to be careful after sunset. Desist from irrelevant travels at night and safeguard your belongings well.
Exercise caution on roads as roads is risky in the country. Most roads are poor, filled with potholes, and as such fatal accidents occur often.
It is pertinent to note that emergency services do not respond quickly to an emergency. You’re advised to drive carefully and obey traffic rules.
There you go, we hope this was of great help.