Yamoussoukro Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Holders of passports from ECOWAS member states and a handful of other countries may enter without a visa.
ECOWAS nationals may use national ID cards instead of passports. All others must hold biometric passports.
Most non-ECOWAS visitors must obtain an eVisa online before boarding their flight to Yamoussoukro.
Cost: Moderate government fee plus processing charge. Payment online by card.
The eVisa is accepted only at designated airports, including Yamoussoukro (ASK) and Abidjan (ABJ). Overland arrivals must use an embassy visa.
Visitors whose nationalities are not eligible for eVisa, or who enter overland, must secure a sticker visa from an Ivorian embassy or consulate.
Applicants already inside West Africa often use the Ivorian consulates in Dakar, Accra, or Bamako.
Arrival Process
Arriving passengers at Yamoussoukro airport step through four sequential controls. Follow the posted lanes. Airport staff speak French and basic English.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Ivorian customs apply the UEMOA external tariff. Passengers 18+ may import limited quantities duty-free; anything above must be declared and taxed.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotic drugs, zero tolerance policy, severe penalties
- Counterfeit currency and pirated media, seizure and prosecution
- Explosives, flick knives, and pepper spray, classified as weapons
Restricted Items
- Firearms and ammunition, advance police permit required
- Endangered wildlife products, CITES export permit needed
- Medications containing pseudo or codeine, carry doctor letter and pharmacy receipt
Health Requirements
Côte d'Ivoire requires yellow-fever vaccination for all arriving passengers over 9 months of age, including transit passengers leaving the airport. Other vaccinations are recommended but optional for entry into Yamoussoukro.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A
- Typhoid
- Hepatitis B
- Meningococcal meningitis ( Dec, Jun)
- Rabies (for rural travel)
- Routine boosters (MMR, DPT, flu)
Health Insurance
No statutory cover. Travelers should purchase complete medical insurance that includes evacuation, since serious cases are airlifted to Abidjan or Europe.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
Minors need their own passport. If only one parent travels, carry notarized consent letter from the other parent plus child's birth certificate. Immigration sometimes phones the absent parent to verify.
Dogs and cats need rabies shot ≥ 30 days before travel, veterinary health certificate issued within 5 days of departure, and import permit obtained from Ministère de l'Agriculture in Abidjan at least 2 weeks ahead. Pets arrive as cargo; 48-hour advance notice to airline is essential.
Before the 90-day tourist stamp expires, apply at the Préfecture in Yamoussoukro for a residence permit (titre de séjour). You'll need a local sponsor, proof of income, medical check, and moderate fee. Process takes 2, 4 weeks.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
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