Senegal entry requirements for Ivory Coast passport holders
Checked daily · Updated May 30, 2026·View sources
No visa required
90 days
Max stay
90 days
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 can enter Senegal without a visa for up to 90 days. This policy has been in place for years and remains unchanged in 2026. Ensure your passport meets validity requirements and you have a return ticket ready.
Entry requirements
| Requirement | Details | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Valid passport Must be valid for the duration of stay | Your passport needs to be valid for the entire time you plan to stay in Senegal. Airlines check this at check-in, and immigration officers in Dakar will verify it on arrival. | Required |
| Return or onward ticket Proof of departure from Senegal | Immigration officers at Blaise Diagne International Airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a digital version on your phone ready to show. | Recommended |
| Proof of accommodation Hotel booking or host invitation | Carry a hotel reservation confirmation or a letter of invitation from your host in Senegal. Officers rarely ask for it, but having it avoids delays if they do. | Recommended |
| Proof of funds Show you can cover your stay | Have a bank statement or cash equivalent to roughly 500,000 XOF (about $800 USD) for a 90-day stay. Officers almost never check this for Ivory Coast passport holders, but it's safer to have evidence. | Recommended |
Yellow fever certificate required
If you're arriving from Ivory Coast (a yellow fever endemic country), you must present a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate at immigration. No card = possible denial of entry or quarantine. Get the shot at least 10 days before you fly.
No visa, no fee, no forms
Entry is straightforward: no visa application, no fee, no online registration. Just your passport, a return ticket, and optionally proof of accommodation. The whole process at Dakar airport takes under 5 minutes.
What happens at the border
1
Arrive at Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
Most flights from Ivory Coast land here. Follow signs to 'Immigration' — it's a single queue for all non-Senegalese passports.
2
Present your passport and boarding pass
Hand over your passport and boarding pass. The officer will check your passport validity and may ask for your return ticket. Have your phone ready with the screenshot.
3
Get your entry stamp
The officer stamps your passport with a 90-day entry. No fee, no forms. The whole process takes 2–5 minutes if the queue is short.
4
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, head to baggage claim, then customs. Green channel if you have nothing to declare. You're in.
Download Senegal Entry Checklist
PDF · Ivory Coast Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 30, 2026
Overstay calculator
Enter your arrival date and we'll tell you exactly when you need to leave.
Staying longer & fees
Visa options if you want to stay beyond the free limit:
Tourist visa (single entry)
Max stay90 days
Validity3 months from issue
Cost~50,000 XOF (~$80 USD)
Apply at Senegalese embassy abroad; allows single entry for tourism.
Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months to 1 year
Cost~100,000 XOF (~$160 USD)
For frequent travellers; requires justification and supporting documents.
Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost~200,000 XOF (~$320 USD)
For work, study, or family reunification; requires sponsorship and approval.
work visa
Carte de Séjour pour Travailleur
1 year, renewable
~200,000 XOF (~$320 USD) plus employer fees
For foreign workers with a job offer in Senegal. Requires employer sponsorship, work contract, and approval from Ministry of Labour.
student visa
Carte de Séjour pour Étudiant
1 year, renewable annually
~50,000 XOF (~$80 USD)
For students enrolled in a recognized Senegalese institution. Requires proof of enrollment, financial means, and health insurance.
investor visa
Carte de Résident pour Investisseur
2–5 years, renewable
~500,000 XOF (~$800 USD) plus investment proof
For individuals investing a minimum of ~$50,000 USD in Senegal. Requires business plan, proof of funds, and approval from investment agency.
Other fees
| Service | Cost |
|---|---|
| Overstay fine per dayOverstay penalties are applied at immigration upon departure; exact rate may vary. | Unknown (estimated ~5,000 XOF/day, ~$8 USD) |
Common reasons for entry denial
Insufficient funds30%
No return ticket25%
Suspicious travel pattern20%
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 Senegal
No transit visa needed
Ivory Coast passport holders transiting through Senegal do not need a transit visa if staying airside and not passing through immigration.
Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Exceptions & conditions
- If leaving the airport or staying overnight, a visa or visa-free entry may be required.
Transit hubsBlaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
Health & vaccines for Senegal
Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for travellers arriving from countries with risk of yellow fever transmission, including Ivory Coast.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk
Present throughout Senegal; prophylaxis recommended for all travellers.
Dengue feverModerate risk
Occasional outbreaks, especially in urban areas; mosquito avoidance advised.
Food and waterborne diseasesModerate risk
Risk of traveler's diarrhea; drink bottled or boiled water and eat well-cooked food.
Malaria risk: high
High risk throughout the country, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) recommended. Use mosquito nets and repellent.
Based on CDC and WHO guidance. Consult a travel medicine clinic 4–6 weeks before departure for personalised advice.
Immigration offices for extensions
Dakar
Direction de l'Immigration et de l'Émigration
Rue de Thiong, Dakar
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Main office for visa extensions and immigration matters; bring passport, photos, and proof of funds.
Saint-Louis
Service Régional de l'Immigration
Avenue Jean Mermoz, Saint-Louis
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00
Handles extensions and permits for northern region; limited services.
Practical information for CI travellers
Country basics
CapitalDakar
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 90 days; an IDP is recommended.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 562.57 XOF
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,D,E,FTypes C, D, E, and F; Type C is most common.
⚠ US adapter needed
Water & health
Tap water
Not safe — use bottled
Tap water is not safe to drink; stick to bottled or boiled water.
Emergency numbers
Frequently asked questions
No. Ivory Coast passport holders get visa-free entry for up to 90 days. Just show up with a valid passport and a return ticket.
No. The visa-free entry is not extendable. If you need to stay longer, you must leave Senegal and re-enter, or apply for a long-stay visa at the Senegalese embassy in Abidjan before you travel.
You will be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry at immigration. Renew your passport before you travel.
Yes, if you're arriving from a country with yellow fever risk (Ivory Coast is one). You'll need to show a yellow fever vaccination certificate (the yellow card) at immigration. Get the shot at least 10 days before travel.
Yes, the same visa-free rules apply at land borders. But be prepared for longer queues and more scrutiny. Have your passport, return ticket, and accommodation details ready.
No. Senegal does not require an arrival declaration or eTA. Just show up with your passport and ticket.
The local currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). Euros and US dollars are not widely accepted outside hotels and big shops. Bring some CFA francs or withdraw from ATMs at the airport.
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.