Do nationals of EU countries need a visa?
Yes. Every trip to Côte d’Ivoire requires immigration clearance. The easiest way is to obtain an e‑visa, which is accepted only at Abidjan airport; entry by land requires a traditional visa sticker issued by the consulate in Berlin.
Key features of the e‑visa
Single entry, valid for 90 days from the date of issue.
The maximum stay is also 90 days.
Visa fee payable by Visa or Mastercard.
Decisions are usually issued within 3–6 working days.
At the airport, the visa sticker is printed 24/7 and fingerprints are taken; you do not pay anything extra.
Documents required for the application
Colour scan of the passport – valid for at least six months after the trip.
Digital passport photo on a white background.
Completed Côte d’Ivoire visa application form.
Flight and hotel reservation (return ticket).
Invitation letter or a certificate of hotel accommodation (details below).
Reminder: for check‑in at Abidjan you must have a vaccination booklet with a yellow fever entry.
Step‑by‑step process
Fill in a short online form and upload the scans.
Pay EUR 73 by card or bank transfer.
You will receive a PDF with the e‑visa by e‑mail; print it out (black and white is fine).
You arrive in Abidjan, go to the “airport visa” counter and collect the visa sticker.
If you plan to enter by land
The e‑visa is valid only at Félix‑Houphouët‑Boigny Airport. If you are travelling by car or bus from Ghana or Liberia, you need a visa sticker from Berlin – personal attendance there is required.
Frequently asked questions
Is the e‑visa sufficient for a business trip? Yes, Côte d’Ivoire recognises the same document for tourism and business.
How fast does the approval actually arrive? On average 3–6 days, but allow for a two‑week buffer.
Can I fly without a hotel reservation? No. For the application you need a certificate of hotel accommodation or a legalised invitation letter.
Does the visa have to be printed in colour? No, a clear black‑and‑white printout is sufficient.
E‑visa for Côte d’Ivoire through Notberg
The e‑visa for Côte d’Ivoire is issued by the government portal SNEDAI. We prepare the application in one of two service packages:
Standard: 4 days to check the documents and submit the application,
Premium: we submit the application within 1 day.
With the Premium package, the e‑visa can be ready in as little as 4 days.
Invitation letter or hotel: what exactly does SNEDAI accept?
The portal requires three documents and will reject the application if even one is missing: the biographical data page of the passport, a return flight reservation and either an invitation letter or a certificate of hotel accommodation.
The invitation letter must be typed, printed, signed, stamped and legalised. A handwritten letter or one without a stamp does not meet this requirement. This also applies to an invitation from a company for a business trip. If you are visiting friends, allow time for legalisation of the invitation at an office in Côte d’Ivoire before you submit the application.
Typical mistakes in the application
One‑way flight reservation instead of a return ticket.
Hotel reservation shorter than the planned stay. In our form we ask for a reservation for the entire visa period.
Invitation letter without legalisation or without a stamp.
Passport scan with glare or with part of the page covered.
More questions about the e‑visa for Côte d’Ivoire
Does a child also have to go to the visa counter at the airport?
Yes. Biometric registration (fingerprints and photo) applies to every applicant, including those who have already been to Côte d’Ivoire. Children under 12 do not give fingerprints, but must be present.
How long is the application approval valid?
The pre‑enrolment document is valid for 3 months from the date of approval, so do not apply too far in advance of your planned arrival in Abidjan.
Will the visa fee be refunded if my application is refused?
No. SNEDAI does not refund the fee, and submitting an application does not guarantee the visa.
Can I fly without an approved e‑visa and arrange it at the airport?
No. Nationals of non‑ECOWAS countries must have a visa or an approved e‑visa application before travelling. At Abidjan airport you only collect the visa sticker after biometric registration.