FAQs

Losing your passport or having it stolen while traveling often raises urgent questions like who to contact first, whether you can leave the country, and how to replace your documents. If this happens in Ivory Coast, acting quickly is essential.

U.S. passport holders can generally travel to other countries directly from the Ivory Coast without returning to the U.S. first.

Leaving Ivory Coast involves standard airport procedures at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan for most international departures.

The Ivory Coast imposes a departure tax for travelers leaving the country by air. This fee, known as the embarkation or airport tax, is typically collected at Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.

Credit cards, notably Visa and Mastercard, are widely accepted in larger hotels, upmarket restaurants, and major supermarkets in cities such as Abidjan. However, acceptance may not be as prevalent as in more developed nations, and smaller enterprises, street sellers, or rural locations may not accept credit cards.

Tourists in the Ivory Coast may encounter language barriers, but these are generally manageable with some preparation.

Proof of accommodation and a return or onward ticket upon entry for visa-required travelers verifies your travel plans to ensure visitors do not overstay or violate their permitted duration of stay.

If your Cote d'Ivoire visa has expired, you should act immediately to avoid legal issues. Here's what you can do:

Because the USA is not on the list of prohibited countries for visa-free travel to Ivory Coast, an e-visa is REQUIRED for all US visitors. Currently, the Ivory Coast Ministry offers two (2) types of electronic visas to US citizens: Tourist e-visa: This type of visa is used for tourism activities and allows for multiple entries for stays of up to 30 days (1 month). Business e-visa: US travelers are authorized to stay in Ivory Coast for 30 days (1 month) on each business visit. Both of these visas are valid for three months from the date of issue and allow multiple entries.

The Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) Business e-Visa is valid only for entry at Abidjan Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ). It is not valid at land or sea borders.