Côte d'Ivoire: visa and entry rules

Cote d'Ivoire's borders: every crossing point

Cote d'Ivoire's land border crossings, neighbour by neighbour:

With Ghana: Noe - Elubo on the coast, the main crossing.

With Burkina Faso: Ouangolodougou - Niangoloko in the north.

With Mali: Pogo in the north-west.

With Guinea: Sinko and Ouaninou in the west.

With Liberia: Danane - Loguatuo in the west.

The northern directions are complicated by the situation in the border areas of Mali and Burkina Faso.

The main way in is Felix Houphouet-Boigny International Airport in Abidjan.

Driving to Cote d'Ivoire

How long a car may stay in the country and whether a carnet is required to bring it into Cote d'Ivoire are decided by the local customs service. You cannot go by the neighbouring countries' rules.

Insurance is taken out locally, and bought at the border.

An International Driving Permit is required.

Traffic police are active on the main roads, and documents are checked often.

Travelling to Cote d'Ivoire with a pet

You need an international veterinary certificate, endorsed by the state veterinary service of the country you are leaving.

The rabies vaccination must be valid on the date of entry.

An import permit is arranged in advance with the veterinary service.

Check the vaccination, microchip and quarantine requirements for bringing an animal into Cote d'Ivoire with your airline before you buy tickets.

Overstaying your visa in Cote d'Ivoire

A fine is charged for exceeding the validity of your visa and is paid on departure.

You pay at the border, and that is where you will be told how much. There is no finding out the sum in Cote d'Ivoire in advance, so do not book a tight connection and keep cash on you.

Extensions are arranged in advance, before your permitted stay runs out.

A serious overstay means detention and deportation at your own expense.