Côte d'Ivoire entry requirements for Romania passport holders

Checked daily · Updated June 1, 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

Romanian passport holders need a visa to enter Côte d'Ivoire. You must apply online before you travel — there is no visa on arrival. Plan ahead: processing can take a couple of weeks, so start your application at least a month before your trip in 2026.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Visa application
eVisa (SNEDAI)
Apply for an eVisa through the SNEDAI portal before departure. The online form takes about 15 minutes and you need a digital passport photo and a hotel booking confirmation. Approval usually comes within 3 business days — print the approval letter and carry it with your passport.Apply for eVisaRequired
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your Romanian passport must be valid for at least the entire period you plan to stay in Côte d'Ivoire. Airlines check this at check-in — if your passport expires before you leave, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure
Immigration officers at Abidjan airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed copy or a screenshot of your booking ready — they will check the date matches your visa validity.Required
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host. Officers at passport control sometimes ask for this, especially if you arrive without a clear itinerary.Recommended
Proof of funds
Bank statement or cash
Have a recent bank statement or enough cash (around 500 USD equivalent) to show you can support yourself. Border officers rarely ask, but it can speed things up if questioned.Recommended
Yellow fever vaccine is mandatory
You must have a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate (yellow card) to enter Côte d'Ivoire. Without it, you may be refused entry or forced to get vaccinated at the airport (and pay a fine). Get the shot at least 10 days before you fly.
Currency and cash
The local currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF). ATMs are common in Abidjan but less so elsewhere. Carry some cash in euros or US dollars for emergencies. Credit cards are accepted at major hotels and restaurants, but not everywhere.

What happens at the border

1
Apply for the visa online
Go to the official e-visa portal (snedai.com) and fill out the application. Upload a passport-style photo and a copy of your passport data page. Pay the fee online — around €70–€100 depending on processing speed. Wait for approval, which usually takes 5–15 working days. Print the approval email and keep it with your passport.
2
Prepare your documents for travel
Before you leave, gather: your printed visa approval, passport with 6+ months validity, return ticket, first-night hotel booking, and travel insurance. Save digital copies on your phone as backup.
3
Arrive at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (Abidjan)
After landing, follow signs to 'Immigration' or 'Passport Control'. Join the queue for foreign passports. Have your passport, visa approval, and return ticket ready. The officer will check your documents, take fingerprints (usually index fingers), and stamp your passport. Keep the stamp visible — you'll need it when you leave.
4
Collect your luggage and exit
After passport control, go to baggage claim. If you have nothing to declare, use the green channel. If you're carrying large amounts of cash or restricted goods, use the red channel. Then you're free to exit the arrivals hall.
Download Côte d'Ivoire Entry Checklist
PDF · Romania Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated June 1, 2026
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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€80 (~$87 USD)

Standard option for tourism, requires invitation or hotel booking.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue
Cost€150 (~$163 USD)

Ideal for frequent travellers, allows multiple entries.

Long-stay visa (visiteur)
Max stay1 year
Validity1 year
Cost€200 (~$217 USD)

For longer stays, requires proof of sufficient funds and accommodation.

work visa
Carte de Séjour (Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
€200 (~$217 USD) application fee
For those with a job offer in Côte d'Ivoire. Requires employer sponsorship and work contract. Allows long-term residence.
student visa
Carte de Séjour (Étudiant)
1 year, renewable
€100 (~$109 USD) application fee
For enrolled students at a recognized Ivorian institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Carte de Séjour (Investisseur)
2 years, renewable
€500 (~$543 USD) application fee
For investors with a minimum investment of €50,000 in a local business. Includes family reunification.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Tourist visa (single entry)Standard fee for a single-entry visa, valid for up to 90 days.€80 (~$87 USD)
Tourist visa (multiple entry)Allows multiple entries within validity period.€150 (~$163 USD)
Visa extension (per month)Extensions are possible for up to 3 months, subject to approval.€30 (~$33 USD) per month
Overstay fine (per day)Maximum fine is €300 (~$326 USD).€10 (~$11 USD) per day

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 Côte d'Ivoire

No transit visa needed

Romanian passport holders do not need a transit visa to change planes at Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (Abidjan) as long as they remain airside.

Airside transitAllowed up to 24h
Transit hubsFélix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ) · Bouaké Airport (BYK)

Health & vaccines for Côte d'Ivoire

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers over 1 year of age arriving from endemic countries or if travelling from a country with risk of yellow fever transmission.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialPolioRecommendedRabiesConsiderMeningitisConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Present throughout the country, especially in rural areas. Prophylaxis recommended.

Dengue FeverModerate risk

Occurs in urban and semi-urban areas, especially during rainy season.

CholeraLow risk

Rare but possible in areas with poor sanitation. Vaccination recommended for high-risk travellers.

Malaria risk: high

Malaria is high throughout Côte d'Ivoire, including urban areas. Prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil, doxycycline) is strongly recommended.

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

Immigration offices for extensions

Abidjan
Direction Générale de la Documentation et de l'Immigration
Avenue Jean Paul II, Abidjan
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30

Main immigration office for visa extensions and permits.

Abidjan
Service des Étrangers (Port Bouët)
Port Bouët, Abidjan
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:00

Handles residence permits and long-stay visas.

Practical information for RO travellers

Country basics
CapitalYamoussoukro
LanguageFrench
Driving sideRight-hand traffic
US driving licenceUS visitors can drive with a valid US license for up to 3 months; an International Driving Permit is recommended.
Money
CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 564.01 XOF
updated Jun 3
Time zone
Local timeUTC+0
vs New York+5h
vs Los Angeles+8h
Electricity
Voltage230V / 50Hz
Plug types
C,EType C (two round pins) and Type E (two round pins with a hole for the male earth pin)
⚠ 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
Police110
Medical185
US EmbassyFind contact

Frequently asked questions

No. There is no visa on arrival for Romanian passport holders. You must apply online at snedai.com before you travel.
Processing usually takes 5–15 working days. Apply at least a month before your trip to be safe. You can pay extra for faster processing (around €100 total).
The standard e-visa fee is about €70–€80. Express processing costs around €100. Fees are paid online during the application.
You will be denied entry. Renew your passport before applying for the visa. The 6-month validity is counted from your date of arrival in Côte d'Ivoire.
Yes. Côte d'Ivoire requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all travellers over 1 year old. You'll need to show your International Certificate of Vaccination (the yellow card) at immigration. Get the vaccine at least 10 days before travel.
The e-visa is typically valid for a single entry up to 90 days. Extensions are possible but must be arranged through the immigration office in Abidjan before your visa expires. It's not guaranteed, so plan your trip within the visa period.
Have your passport (with visa approval), return ticket, hotel booking, and yellow fever certificate ready. The officer may also ask for proof of sufficient funds — a bank statement or credit card is usually fine.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on June 1, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.