Ivory Coast: do South Africans need a visa?
South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Ivory Coast.
The visa is valid for 3 months with multiple entries. SNEDAI does not state a separate maximum stay, so you can stay within the 3-month validity.
E-visa needed. Apply online for pre-enrolment on the official SNEDAI platform (snedai.com) and pay. After approval you collect a printed biometric visa on arrival at Abidjan airport. This is a paid visa, not a free travel authorisation. Only diplomatic and service passports from South Africa are exempt; ordinary passports are not.13
Ivory Coast is one of 51 countries where South Africans apply online before travelling. See them all.
Before you travel
Length of stay
Purpose of visit
Not published by official sources
Passport validity
How to apply
1. Register on snedai.com/e-visa and enter your details. 2. Upload three mandatory documents: passport identity page, return flight reservation, and an invitation letter or accommodation certificate (JPG, PNG, GIF or PDF, max 1 MB each). 3. Pay EUR 73 (bank fees included) by Visa or Mastercard. 4. Wait up to 48 business hours (Monday to Friday) for an email reply. 5. The approved pre-enrolment is valid for 3 months. On arrival at Abidjan airport, go to the visa enrolment desk (open 24 hours, 7 days) for fingerprints and photo; the visa is printed on the spot. UK advice says apply at least 10 working days before travel.14
Confirmed on an official government source
Where South Africans apply
Online only, at snedai.com. The visa is collected at Abidjan airport. Whether the Embassy of Côte d'Ivoire in Pretoria still issues sticker visas was not checked.1
Confirmed on an official government source
Travel insurance
Not published by official sources
Return or onward ticket
A return flight reservation is a mandatory upload for the e-visa.1
Confirmed on an official government source
Proof of funds
Not published by official sources
Accommodation or invitation
An invitation letter or accommodation certificate is a mandatory upload for the e-visa.1
Confirmed on an official government source
Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa
IVORY COAST: A yellow fever certificate is required to enter, whatever country you arrive from (UK and US advice). SOUTH AFRICA: Ivory Coast is on South Africa's yellow fever risk list. Everyone over 1 year old, South Africans included, returning to South Africa from Ivory Coast, or after an airport transit of more than 12 hours there, must show a valid yellow fever certificate on arrival in South Africa. Get vaccinated at least 10 days before travel; the certificate is valid for life.456
Confirmed by other governments' official advice
Arrival forms
Extending your stay and overstaying
Not published by official sources
Transit
Not published by official sources
Travelling with children
Not published by official sources
Sources
Official
The destination's own government
Other government
Official advice from other governments
- 4UK FCDO gov.uk
- 5US Department of State travel.state.gov
- 6DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za
Reference
Used to find official sources, never the final word
- 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.