Visa Types
Short-term Visa
A short term visa (from 1 to 3 months) is guaranteed to foreign nationals upon submission of the related documents to the Embassy of Ivory Coast.
Within the SNEDAI website it is possible to obtain information related to:
- Form requested;
- Location of the closest embassy;
- Appointment scheduling;
- Documentation required.
In particular, the following documents must be submitted:
- The original receipt of payment online;
- The statement of acceptance of appointment;
- The visa application form completed and signed;
- A photo ID (size 4.5 cm x 3.5 cm) recently under 6 months;
- A passport valid for six months minimum + a photocopy of the first three pages (pages with photo and address);
- Original full copy or extract of birth certificate;
- Photocopy of the school or student card (students);
- The international certificate of vaccination against yellow fever;
- A detailed statement of reservation of air ticket or a photocopy of the ticket round trip.
The following information must be attached in the application for business trips:
- Letter of Invitation ;
- Confirmation of hotel reservation ;
- Proof of financial means to stay.
For private visits:
Confirmation of hotel reservation or; Letter of Invitation.
Fees: Approx 73 AUD
Long-Stay Visa
In order to request a long stay visa (up to 6 months and 1 year) the prior approval of the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance (DST) through the receipt of let land (pre-visa) is required.
The long stay visa requires the prerequisite of a short stay visa.
The visa applicant is required to pre-enrol online and:
- Choose the length of visa requested;
- Fill out a form with all its socio-demographic information, travel and local contacts available online, attach (upload) all required documents and send the request by clicking on “Submit”
Upon approval of the application every applicant will receive, within 48 hours maximum, an email confirmation with a document or “let land” (contains a bar code) which includes all the information related to the visa applicant and provides information about how to add biometric data (location, hours, take away paper …).
Important:
- Enrolment (fingerprinting and photo) is required for each visa application, even if the applicant has already obtained several visas.
- The biometric visa requires the presence of the applicant. The fingerprinting is mandatory for all except children under 12 years, but their presence is necessary.
Required documents for this visa are:
- The original receipt of payment of visa fees;
- Approval of D.S.T. (pre-visa or leave to land);
- Hotel booking or accommodation certificate ;
- A signed and notarised parental consent if he is a minor traveling alone ;
- Passport valid for at least six months + photocopy of the first three pages;
- The original of the birth certificate;
- Copy of any relevant the school certificate;
- Documentation that certifies a vaccination against the yellow fever;
- Documentation of the flight details (round trip).
Fees:
- USD 77 (excluding bank charges) for the short-stay visa which may not exceed three (3) months.
- USD 143 (excluding bank charges) for the long-stay visa may not exceed one (1) year.
Work Contract Visa
In order to obtain a work contract visa in Ivory Coast, every employee must submit the following information/documents to the closest embassy:
- Four (4) copies of the employment contract form;
- Professional references (diploma, certificate of employment or work certificate);
- One (1) criminal record;
- One (1) resume;
- One (1) medical examination certificate.
In case of a work contract with limited duration, a visa will be issued for a period of maximum twenty four months, while for the open-ended contract, a long-term visa is issued.
Visa Application
Foreign workers are required to have the proper visas and work permits in Ivory Coast, as established by immigration laws. Work permits must be secured for employees, and sponsored by a locally licensed and incorporated entity. Furthermore, residency and work permit forms are only available in French. These can be a problem for companies just entering the Ivory Coast market.
Ivory Coast recognizes the importance of local competences for HR recruitment purposes and encourages corporate interactions with these agencies in order to recruit in a newly created company.
As such, every job vacancy should be reported to the AGEPE (Agency for study and promotion of employment), local newspapers (for at least 1 month) and, only if the position is not filled in this period, is it possible to hire a worker from a country of choice.
Every non Ivorian worker is required to have a contract/letter of employment covered by AGEPE. When hired, he/she must apply, within 3 months, to the closest embassy in order to receive a working permit.
Documents required for a working permit:
- One work permit application;
- One copy of the employment contract;
- Two passport photos;
- One copy of the residence permit;
- 5000 CFA (USD 8) for settlement costs.
This form should be submitted in order to request for the temporary residence permit.
For further information, contact the CEPICI HQ at [email protected].
