Do Cruise Ship Passengers Need a Visa for the Ivory Coast?

Yes — in most cases, cruise ship passengers do need a visa to enter the Ivory Coast, even if they are only disembarking for a few hours. Côte d’Ivoire requires foreign nationals to hold a valid visa for any entry into Ivorian territory, including:

Cruise day trips
Shore excursions
Overnight stays
Transit stops where passengers leave the ship

There is no automatic cruise-ship exemption in the Ivory Coast immigration law.

Countries That Require a Visa (Most Nationalities)

Passengers Who May Not Need a Visa

A few West African nationalities that are part of ECOWAS can enter the Ivory Coast visa-free, including:

Ghana
Nigeria
Senegal
Benin
Togo
Mali
Burkina Faso

However, cruise passengers from outside ECOWAS always require a visa.

Which Visa Do Cruise Passengers Need?

Cruise travelers typically have two options, depending on their cruise line and port of entry:

1. Ivory Coast eVisa (Most Common and Easiest Option)

Cruise passengers can apply for the Ivory Coast eVisa, which is:

Valid for tourism
Multiple-entry
Approved online
Collected with fingerprints at the port of entry

Important Note:

The eVisa is normally designed for air arrivals at Abidjan Airport, but The Ivory Coast eVisa is officially designed for air arrivals at Abidjan International Airport. In limited or exceptional cases, cruise lines may arrange specific immigration procedures with local authorities, but this should not be assumed by individual travelers.
Before applying, cruise passengers should check whether their specific cruise port supports biometric enrollment. Because the eVisa system is primarily intended for air entry, its acceptance at seaports depends on prior arrangements between the cruise operator and Ivorian immigration authorities, rather than solely on the presence of biometric equipment.

2. Embassy/Consular Visa (Required for Some Cruise Itineraries)

Some cruise passengers—especially those arriving at:

San Pedro Port, or
In such cases, obtaining a standard visa from an Ivorian embassy or consulate before travel is often the safest and most reliable option.

This is common when:

The cruise line does not coordinate with immigration authorities
The arrival port does not have a biometric office
Passengers are of nationalities requiring stricter pre-clearance
This visa includes full biometric fingerprints taken at the embassy.

Are Cruise Passengers Ever Exempt from a Visa?

Only in very rare scenarios, such as:

In extremely rare and exceptional situations, such as diplomatic or specially chartered voyages, group entry arrangements may be authorized by Ivorian authorities
When passengers remain onboard and do not step onto Ivorian soil
If passengers leave the ship, a visa is required.

Conclusion: Do Cruise Ship Passengers Need a Visa for the Ivory Coast?

Yes. Almost all cruise passengers need a visa to visit the Ivory Coast, regardless of the length of stay. The appropriate visa arrangement depends on the arrival port and, more importantly, on the specific immigration arrangements confirmed by the cruise line in coordination with Ivorian authorities. To avoid issues, passengers should confirm visa arrangements with their cruise line and apply early—either through the Ivory Coast eVisa system or at an Ivorian Embassy/Consulate.

HOW CAN WE HELP?

All information entered on this form will be kept strictly confidential and subject to our privacy policy once received by us. Your transaction will be secured using SSL/TLS encryption.