Visa, Health & security

Biometric Visa

Passeport

To enter Ivory Coast, visitors must have a valid passport, a pass (laissez-passer), a current travel document bearing your photo, and a biometric entry visa. The validity period of the passport must be at least 6 months. Visa application forms are available free of charge at the embassies of Côte d’Ivoire in your country of residence. It is possible to obtain your biometric visa at Félix Houphouët Boigny International Airport and to do so you can make the request on the website https://snedai.com. This is the only site that is officially recognized and approved by the State of Côte d’Ivoire for visa applications. Besides the passport and Visa, vaccination against yellow fever is also mandatory for persons wishing to travel to Côte d’Ivoire and this is justified by the presentation of an international vaccination certificate.

Step 1: Pre-enrolment and payment (73 €) (https://snedai.com)

The pre-enrolment consists of registering certain personal information and downloading 3 documents:

► the identification of your passport
► the reservation of your air ticket
► the letter of invitation or certificate of accommodation.

After the pre-enrolment, the applicant pays the fees for obtaining the visa whose duration is 3 months (multiple-entries) and amount to 73 Euros (including bank charges).
Payment is made with a VISA CARD or a MASTERCARD.
When the payment is made, the applicant receives an instant mail, (accompanied by an attachment on which appears the unique and personal code of payment attestation)

NB: Cases of non-pre-enrolment online are exceptional and are the responsibility of the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (D.S.T).

Step 2: Receiving the response from the DST
The applicant receives at his e-mail address within 48 hours (working days) a document (on which is a barcode) which is the response of the authority (approved or refused).

Step 3: Enrolment at the airport
The applicant embarks with the « Approved pre-enrolment “document and presents himself upon arrival at the airport at the “airport visa” space. He carries out his biometric enrolment and the visa is printed and issued to him immediately. The E-visa enlistment boxes are available 24/7.

NB:

-Enlistment (Finger prints and passport size photos) are mandatory for each visa application, even if the applicant has already obtained several visas.
– The biometric visa requires the presence of the applicant. Fingerprinting is mandatory for all except minors under 12, but their presence is necessary.

List of documents to provide at Abidjan Airport

► Original receipt of payment of visa fees of 73 Euros including bank charges;
►Approbation of the D.S.T. (pre-visa or leave-disembark);
► Valid passport for at least six months;
► International certificate of vaccination against yellow fever.

For further information concerning visas, please consult the website (https://snedai.com) or get closer to the embassy of Côte d’Ivoire in your country of residence.

Health Tips

Vaccines

les Vaccins

In order to enter Côte d’Ivoire, vaccination against yellow fever is mandatory for all and an international vaccination certificate issued by the competent authorities is required as proof.
In addition to the mandatory vaccinations, we recommend the following vaccines:

Malaria

Malaria is active throughout the year in Côte d’Ivoire. We recommend that you take prophylaxis before your trip. Regarding the type of prophylaxis and the recurrence to take, we advise you to consult your doctor.

Hepatitis A / Typhoid

Hepatitis A and typhoid can be easily contracted through the consumption of contaminated foods and beverages.

Meningitis

Côte d’Ivoire belongs to the meningitis belt in sub-Saharan Africa. In case of a stay in Ivory Coast during the dry season, we recommend this vaccine because meningitis is much more common during the long dry season.

Travel insurance

We recommend travel insurance before leaving for Ivory Coast. It is very important to learn about the medical services and coverage offered.

What should my travel insurance cover?

  • Repatriation in case of serious illness or accident
  • Medical care
  • 24 hours emergency service and assistance
  • Refund for loss or theft of valuables
  • Your travel insurance should be tailored to the activities during your stay.

Insects

Insectes

Mosquitoes, ticks and fleas can transmit a number of diseases, some of which can’t be prevented with a vaccine or drugs. However, the risk can be reduced by taking certain precautions.

How to prevent insect bites

  • Cover the skin (long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats).
  • Use a suitable repellent.
  • Sleep in air-conditioned rooms or ones that have a mosquito net.
  • If you sleep outside use a mosquito net.
  • Use Permethrin to treat clothing and Permethrin cream applied directly on the skin, two applications one week apart.

To protect yourself from ticks and mosquitoes, use insect repellent with a minimum DEET content of 20% or more and especially effective for several hours. In addition to DEET, products containing icaridin also known as picaridin, lemon eucalyptus essential oil and IR3535 provide effective protection against insects.

  • Do not scratch. Use hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce itching.
  • Examine your whole body daily for ticks. If discovered, be careful to remove them properly.

Stay away from animals

Most animals avoid humans but can bite or scratch if they feel threatened. Bites and scratches from animals can cause diseases such as rabies.

  • Do not feed or touch strange animals
  • Keep animals away from open wounds
  • Avoid animals saliva
  • Avoid rodents
  • If you discover a bat in your room, call your doctor because bat bites are difficult to detect.
  • All animals can pose a threat, but special attention should be given to dogs, bats, snakes and jellyfish.
  • If bitten: Wash the wound with soap and clean water, seek medical attention immediately. Once back home, inform your doctor of your injury.

Clothing

Vetements

In Ivory Coast, it is quite hot. Do not forget to take light clothes. It is important, especially in some areas to dress appropriately. The clothes should cover the shoulders, shorts and skirts should be at the length of the knees. Bikinis are suitable for the beach, but are not suitable outside the beach. In some areas, there is a drop in temperature in the evenings, so be sure to bring some warm clothes if you intend to stay in one of these areas.

First aid kit: What should my first aid kit contain?

First aid kit

Trousse de secours

We recommend a first aid kit. It should be fitted out so that it is sufficient for the treatment of minor illnesses and disorders.

  • 1% hydrocortisone cream
  • Antifungal ointment
  • Antiseptics (to clean a wound)
  • Medication (diarrhea)
  • Medication (fever)
  • Aloe Vera Gel (sunburn)
  • Sun cream (min SPF 15)
  • Insect repellent
  • Insect bite ointment
  • Bandages, gauze bandage, tape (to cover a wound)
  • Moleskine (blisters)
  • Elastic bandage (sprains)
  • Disposable gloves
  • Digital thermometer
  • Scissors and safety pins
  • Q-Tips 
  • Tweezers
  • Eye drops
  • Rehydration Salts

If you are on regular medication, bring a sufficient supply for your stay.

Security Advice

Sécurité

Good travel planning requires information on security conditions in the country of destination. Your security is our priority. In general, Ivory Coast is secure and peaceful, however, it is possible in some region and cities, as in all countries to witness acts of insecurity and it’s necessary to take precautions. We have developed some safety guidelines.

  • Find a trustworthy driver. Ask at the hotel or a travel agent where you are staying. When you find one book him for the duration of your stay.
  • Avoid unfamiliar neighborhoods after nightfall.
  • In case of loss of documents contact the nearest police station and make a statement of loss and immediately stop your credit card(s).
  • Preferably leave your personal belongings and documents at your accommodations if possible. A certified copy of your passport will allow you to move easily.
  • Ensure that all emergency numbers are close at hand.
  • In crowded places wear your backpack or handbag close to your body.