Romania entry requirements for Ivory Coast passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 30, 2026·View sources
Visa required
Max stay
No fixed limit
Passport validity
6 months
Beyond entry date
Return ticket
Required
Or onward travel proof
Proof of funds
Recommended
May be checked

Ivory Coast passport holders need a visa to enter Romania in 2026. You must apply online before you travel — there is no visa-on-arrival option. Plan ahead: processing can take up to two weeks.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
eVisa application
Apply before travel
Apply for a Romanian eVisa at evisa.mae.ro/en before departure. Processing takes 3–5 business days, and you need a scanned passport page and a digital photo. Print the approval email and carry it with your passport.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for entire stay
Your passport must be valid for the full duration of your stay in Romania. Schengen rules require at least 3 months beyond your departure date, but airlines often enforce 6 months — check with your carrier.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of onward travel
Immigration at Bucharest Otopeni and other Schengen entry points routinely asks for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy ready showing your exit from the Schengen area within the visa validity.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or invitation letter
Border officers may ask for a hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Romania. Keep a printed booking confirmation or a scanned invitation letter handy.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show sufficient cash or bank statement
You may be asked to show you have enough money for your stay — roughly €50 per day. A recent bank statement or a credit card with a decent limit usually satisfies the officer.Recommended
Apply early — no rush service
Romania does not offer expedited visa processing. The standard 10–15 business days is the only option. Apply at least 3 weeks before your trip.
Keep digital copies of everything
Save scans of your passport, visa approval, and tickets to your phone and email. If you lose the originals, digital copies can help at the embassy or police station.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for the visa online
Go to evisa.mae.ro, create an account, fill in the application form, upload your passport scan and supporting documents, and pay the fee. Processing takes 10–15 business days.
2
Wait for approval
Check your email and the portal regularly. Once approved, download and print the visa approval document. You'll need it at the border.
3
Prepare your documents for travel
Print or save offline: your visa approval, passport, return ticket, accommodation booking, and travel insurance. Keep them in your carry-on.
4
Arrive at the border
At Romanian immigration (airport or land border), present your passport with the visa sticker, return ticket, and accommodation proof. The officer may ask a few questions — answer honestly.
Download Romania Entry Checklist
PDF · Ivory Coast Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 30, 2026
Download PDF

Staying longer & fees

Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:

Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost€80 (approx. $87 USD)

Standard short-stay Schengen visa.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days within 180-day period
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost€120 (approx. $130 USD)

Requires justification for multiple trips.

Long-stay visa (D visa)
Max stay90 days to 1 year
ValidityUp to 1 year
Cost€120 (approx. $130 USD)

For work, study, or family reunification.

work visa
Romanian Work Visa (D/AM)
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $130 USD) application fee
For employment with a Romanian company. Requires work permit and job offer. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Romanian Student Visa (D/SD)
Duration of studies, renewable
€120 (approx. $130 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at accredited Romanian institutions. Allows part-time work.
family reunification visa
Family Reunification Visa (D/VF)
1 year, renewable
€120 (approx. $130 USD) application fee
For family members of Romanian residents or citizens. Requires proof of relationship.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for short-stay Schengen visa.€80 (approx. $87 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity.€120 (approx. $130 USD)
Overstay fine per dayPenalty for exceeding visa-free or visa stay limit.€10 (approx. $11 USD) per day, max €500

Common reasons for entry denial

Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Incomplete visa application20%

Approval probability calculator

Answer 6 quick questions — we'll estimate how likely you are to be approved for entry based on typical immigration patterns.

Transiting through Romania

Transit visa required

Ivory Coast passport holders need a transit visa to change flights in Romania, even if staying airside.

Exceptions & conditions
  • Holders of a valid Schengen visa or residence permit may transit without a visa.
Transit hubsHenri Coandă International Airport (OTP) – Bucharest · Cluj-Napoca International Airport (CLJ) · Timișoara Traian Vuia International Airport (TSR)

Health & vaccines for Romania

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired if arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (e.g., Ivory Coast).
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis ARecommendedTyphoidConsiderRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)EssentialInfluenzaConsider
Health risks
Tick-borne encephalitisModerate risk

Risk in forested areas, especially in central and northern Romania.

RabiesLow risk

Risk from animal bites; avoid contact with stray animals.

Food and waterborne diseasesLow risk

Standard hygiene precautions recommended.

Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.

Immigration offices for extensions

Bucharest
Inspectoratul General pentru Imigrări (IGI)
Strada Nicolae Iorga nr. 30, Sector 1
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Main office for visa extensions and residence permits.

Cluj-Napoca
Inspectoratul Teritorial pentru Imigrări Cluj
Strada Moților nr. 3
Mon–Fri 08:30–16:30

Handles immigration matters in Transylvania region.

Practical information for CI travellers

Country basics
CapitalBucharest
LanguageRomanian
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS license valid with IDP.
Money
CurrencyRomanian Leu (RON)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 4.51 RON
updated May 30
Time zone
Local timeUTC+2
vs New York+7h (EST) / +7h (EDT)
vs Los Angeles+10h (PST) / +10h (PDT)
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,FType C, F — US plugs do not fit. Bring a European adapter.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Use bottled water. Tap water varies significantly by region.
Emergency numbers
Police112
Medical112
EU emergency112
US EmbassyFind contact

Nearby destinations you can also visit

Countries close to Romania — with your same passport.

Frequently asked questions

Processing usually takes 10–15 business days. Apply at least 3 weeks before your trip to be safe. You can check the status on the evisa.mae.ro portal.
No. There is no visa-on-arrival for Ivory Coast passport holders. You must get the visa approved online before you travel.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your entry date. If it's shorter, renew your passport before applying for the visa.
Yes — you need proof of onward travel out of Romania. A flight to another country works. A one-way ticket without onward proof can get you denied entry.
Overstaying can result in fines, a ban from the Schengen area, or deportation. The standard fine is around 100–200 RON per day overstayed. Always leave before your visa expires.
The standard short-stay visa is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must apply for a different type of visa (e.g., work or study) before your current visa expires.
If you stay in a hotel, they register you automatically. If you stay in a private residence, you must register at the local immigration office within 3 days of arrival.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 30, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.