Côte d'Ivoire entry requirements for Senegal passport holders

Checked daily · Updated May 29, 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

Senegalese passport holders can travel to Côte d'Ivoire visa-free for stays up to 90 days. This policy has been in place for years and remains unchanged in 2026. Just show up at the airport with your passport and you'll get a stamp on arrival — no application, no fee.

Entry requirements

RequirementDetailsStatus
Valid passport
Must be valid for the duration of stay
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended departure date from Côte d'Ivoire. Airlines check this before boarding — if your passport expires sooner, you will be denied boarding.Required
Return or onward ticket
Proof of departure from Côte d'Ivoire
Immigration officers at Abidjan airport routinely ask for a return or onward ticket. Have a printed or digital copy of your flight booking ready — they will check the date matches your visa-free 90-day limit.Recommended
Proof of accommodation
Hotel booking or host invitation
Carry a printed hotel reservation or a letter of invitation from your host in Côte d'Ivoire. Immigration may ask where you are staying — having a booking confirmation avoids delays.Recommended
Proof of funds
Show you can support yourself during your stay
Have access to at least 200,000 CFA francs (about $330 USD) in cash or on a card. Officers rarely ask, but if they do, showing a bank statement or cash is enough.Recommended
Yellow fever vaccine is mandatory
You must carry your yellow fever vaccination certificate (International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis). Immigration officers check it. Without it, you may be vaccinated at the airport or refused entry.
No visa, no fee, no forms
This is one of the simplest entries in West Africa. No visa application, no payment, no arrival card. Just a valid passport and a yellow fever certificate.

What happens at the border

1
Arrive at the airport
At Félix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (Abidjan) or any other entry point, head to the 'Foreign Passports' queue. Have your passport and boarding pass ready.
2
Get your entry stamp
Hand over your passport. The officer will stamp it with a 90-day visa-free entry. No forms to fill, no fee to pay. This takes about 1-2 minutes.
3
Collect luggage and exit
After immigration, pick up your bags from the carousel, then walk through customs (usually green channel if nothing to declare). You're in.
Download Côte d'Ivoire Entry Checklist
PDF · Senegal Passport · Includes QR codes · Updated May 29, 2026
Download PDF

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, non-extendable
Validity3 months from issue date
Cost50,000 XOF (~$80 USD)

Apply at Ivorian embassy abroad; required for stays beyond visa-free period.

Tourist visa (multiple entry)
Max stay90 days per entry
Validity6 months from issue date
Cost100,000 XOF (~$160 USD)

Allows multiple entries; useful for frequent travellers.

Long-stay visa (visa de long séjour)
Max stay1 year, renewable
Validity1 year from issue date
Cost200,000 XOF (~$320 USD)

Requires proof of purpose (work, study, family reunion).

work visa
Carte de Séjour (Travailleur)
1 year, renewable
~200,000 XOF (~$320 USD) per year
For foreign workers 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
~100,000 XOF (~$160 USD) per year
For students enrolled in an Ivorian educational institution. Requires proof of enrollment and sufficient funds.
investor visa
Carte de Séjour (Investisseur)
2 years, renewable
~500,000 XOF (~$800 USD) initial fee
For investors with a minimum investment of 50 million XOF in Côte d'Ivoire. Requires business plan and proof of funds.
Other fees
ServiceCost
Overstay fine per dayMaximum cap not specified; avoid overstay.5,000 XOF (~$8 USD) per day

Common reasons for entry denial

No return ticket30%
Insufficient funds25%
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 Côte d'Ivoire

No transit visa needed

Senegal passport holders transiting through Côte d'Ivoire do not need a transit visa if they remain airside and have a confirmed onward ticket.

Airside transitAllowed
Transit hubsFélix-Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (ABJ)

Health & vaccines for Côte d'Ivoire

Required for entry
Yellow FeverRequired for all travellers arriving from endemic countries; Senegal is endemic, so certificate is mandatory.
Recommended vaccines
Hepatitis AEssentialTyphoidEssentialRoutine vaccines (MMR, DTP, polio)RecommendedRabiesConsider
Health risks
MalariaHigh risk

Widespread throughout the country; prophylaxis recommended.

Dengue feverModerate risk

Occurs in urban and rural areas; mosquito avoidance advised.

Food and waterborne diseasesHigh risk

Common; drink bottled water and eat thoroughly cooked food.

Malaria risk: high

All regions, including urban areas; use prophylaxis (e.g., atovaquone-proguanil) and mosquito nets.

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 (DGDI)
Avenue de la République, Plateau, Abidjan
Mon–Fri 08:00–16:30

Main office for visa extensions and immigration matters; bring passport, photos, and fee.

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 SN 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 = 563.41 XOF
updated May 29
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, you don't. Senegal and Côte d'Ivoire have a visa-free agreement. You can enter for up to 90 days with just your passport.
Up to 90 days per visit. The stamp you get on arrival is valid for 90 days. If you want to stay longer, you'd need to apply for an extension at the immigration office in Abidjan — but that's not guaranteed.
Extensions are not routinely granted. The database shows no standard extension process. If you overstay, you risk fines or being flagged. Best to leave before day 90.
You'll likely be denied boarding by the airline or refused entry by immigration. Renew your passport before traveling. The 6-month validity rule is strictly enforced.
Yes, it's officially required for entry into Côte d'Ivoire. You'll need to show your yellow fever vaccination certificate (the little yellow booklet) at immigration. If you don't have it, you may be vaccinated on the spot or denied entry.
No, there's no electronic arrival declaration or paper form required for Senegalese citizens. Just your passport and the stamp.
The West African CFA franc (XOF). It's pegged to the euro. You can exchange euros or US dollars at banks and exchange offices in Abidjan. ATMs are widely available in cities.

Official sources

Always verify before you travel
Entry requirements change. This page was verified on May 29, 2026. Always check the official embassy or government source before booking. Report an error — we update within 24 hours.