FAQs

Yes, you can bring pets (dogs, cats, and other animals) with you when entering Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), but you must comply with certain regulations and documentation to ensure a smooth entry process. Here are some general guidelines regarding bringing pets into Ivory Coast: Requirements for Bringing Pets to Ivory Coast Health Certificate: Obtain a health certificate issued by a licensed veterinarian within 10 days of travel. This certificate should state that your pet is in good health, free from contagious diseases, and has received the necessary vaccinations. Rabies Vaccination: Proof of vaccination, including rabies vaccination, is often required for dogs and cats. The vaccination should be administered at least 21 days before travel. Microchip: Some countries require pets to be microchipped for identification purposes. It's advisable to check whether this is a requirement for bringing your pet to Ivory Coast. Import Permit: An import permit is not required for dogs and cats traveling with their owners. However, it is necessary for unaccompanied pets or those being imported for commercial purposes. Other Pets: For other pets like birds, reptiles, or rodents, you may need an import permit and a health certificate. Banned Breeds & Restrictions Some aggressive dog breeds may face restrictions (check with Ivorian authorities). Exotic pets (e.g., reptiles and birds) may need special permits under CITES regulations. Airline and Travel Requirements If you are flying to the Ivory Coast with your pet, each airline may have its own rules and regulations regarding pet transportation. Check with your chosen airline to understand their specific requirements and any additional documentation they may require. Entry Process Pets must enter the Ivory Coast via Port Bouet International Airport in Abidjan. A customs inspection may be conducted upon arrival. If documents are in order, it is usually not required. Important note: The above regulations can be changed over time and depend on what your pets are. Please contact the Immigration Department and your airlines to have the latest information about this topic before traveling.

Whether you can transit through an Ivory Coast airport without a visa depends on your nationality and the specifics of your travel plans. Visa-Free Transit (If You Stay Airside) You can transit through an Ivory Coast airport without an e-visa if you meet the following criteria: You hold a confirmed onward ticket for a connecting flight within 24 hours. You are staying within the international transit area of Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan (the main entry point) and do not pass through immigration to enter the country. You are a citizen of a country eligible for the transit visa waiver program. Exceptions: If you’re an ECOWAS citizen (West African national), you can enter the Ivory Coast without a visa, including for transit, due to regional agreements. Visa Required (If You Leave the Airport or Stay Longer) You will need a transit visa if: You leave the airport for any reason, even briefly.​ Your layover exceeds 24 hours.​ Your airline requires you to recheck your luggage outside of the transit area.​ In this case,  you must have a valid visa or an approved e-Visa. How to Confirm Your visa requirement for transit? Check the Ivorian embassy/consulate in your country. Contact your airline before traveling. However, why don’t you have a chance to explore this beautiful country? At Ivory Coast Immigration Services, we provide the easiest visa application platform for everyone to use. With simple additional documents and quick procedures, travelers can obtain an e-visa within 24 - 72 hours. So, quickly contact the Ivory Coast immigration Services and apply for an Ivory Coast e-visa.

English is not widely spoken in Ivory Coast, and the official language is French. However, in major international airports such as Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, you may find airport staff who can communicate in English to some extent, especially at immigration and customs checkpoints. Additionally, airlines operating international flights may have English-speaking staff members who can provide assistance.

When entering Ivory Coast, there are specific customs regulations that you should be aware of to ensure a smooth entry into the country. Here are some general customs regulations for Ivory Coast:

The answer is YES. You can obtain a visa on arrival at an Ivory Coast airport. That means if your passport is still valid when you enter Ivory Coast, you can get a visa stamp (specifically at the border cross). Yet, how quickly or slowly the officer is doing paperwork will depend on the volume of passengers. Furthermore, if you apply for a visa on arrival, you cannot guarantee that you will have enough supporting documentation.

Ivory Coast e-Visa (electronic visa) is valid for 90 days (3 months) from the date of issuance. This means that the visa holder must enter the Ivory Coast within 90 days of the visa's issuance date. Once the visa holder enters the Ivory Coast, they are allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 30 days with multiple entries. The actual stay duration is counted from the date of arrival, and you must exit the Ivory Coast before the end of your 30-day stay period for each entry. The primary entry point for Ivory Coast eVisa holders is Félix Houphouët Boigny International Airport in Abidjan. If the visa holder wants to stay in the Ivory Coast beyond the 90-day validity period, they must apply for an extension at the Ivory Coast immigration office. Travelers can check your conditions to obtain an e-visa and start your Ivory Coast visa application right now to have a chance to experience this wonderful country. Purchasing Travel Insurance is a wise decision to protect yourself while traveling abroad. Contact us immediately if you have any questions through our website.

The processing time for an Ivory Coast e-Visa typically ranges from 24 to 72 hours (2 to 3 days) after submitting a complete application. However, in some cases, it may take longer due to factors like a high volume of requests or technical issues. Ivory Coast e-Visa Processing Time Ivory Coast Immigration Services provides travelers with three service options in terms of processing duration, which are suitable for your travel budget as follows: Normal: The e-visa will be processed within 3 business days. Urgent: The e-visa will be processed within 2 business days. Super Urgent: The e-visa will be processed within 1 business day. Above are these 3 options that may affect your visa fee. Keep in mind that faster processing requires a higher fee. You can check the Ivory Coast e-visa fee. Any further information can be found if you contact us through our website. Recommended It is important to note that applicants should submit their e-visa application at least 10 days before their intended travel date to allow for processing time and to avoid any last-minute issues. Applicants should also ensure that they have provided accurate and complete information and that they have met all the eligibility requirements before submitting their application. Factors That Can Affect Processing Time Application Accuracy – Errors or missing documents can cause delays. Peak Travel Seasons – High demand may slow processing. Weekends & Holidays – Applications are not processed on Ivorian public holidays.

If you do not know what you will need to prepare to obtain an e-visa, this is the right place for you. To obtain an Ivory Coast e-Visa, applicants must meet certain requirements and provide the necessary documents. According to the Ivory Coast government, the paperwork that you need to prepare is as follows:  A valid passport: The passport must be valid for at least six months from the intended date of arrival in the Ivory Coast. A scanned copy of the biographical page in your passport (first-page copy) that is not missing any details. A passport photo: Applicants need to upload a recent passport-style photograph in color with a white background. Travel itinerary: Applicants must provide a travel itinerary, including their intended dates of arrival and departure from the Ivory Coast. Proof of accommodation: Applicants must provide proof of their accommodation in the Ivory Coast, such as hotel reservations or a letter of invitation from a host. Payment: Applicants must pay the visa processing fee using a valid credit or debit card. An active email address: The electronic visa approval will be sent to your email. Bring the e-visa to the airport on the day of your arrival to get your visa stamped. We highly recommend you check more Ivory Coast e-Visa requirements for each nationality, as well as how to apply for an e-Visa conveniently.

The eligibility for an Ivory Coast e-Visa depends on the traveler's nationality. At the moment, the Ivory Coast government has approved for more than 200 nationalities to apply for the e-visa. The following nationalities were eligible to apply for the Ivory Coast e-Visa:

The Ivory Coast e-Visa is an electronic travel authorization that allows foreign nationals to enter the Ivory Coast for tourism, business, or transit purposes. The e-Visa system was introduced in 2019 to facilitate the visa application process and make it more convenient for travelers.