Ivory Coast is a country in West Africa. It borders Liberia and Guinea in the north, Mali in the northeast, Burkina Faso in the east, Ghana in the south-east, and Togo in the southwest. The coast of Ivory Coast is made up of mangrove forests that line the shoreline. There are many small islands that dot the coastline.
The Ivorian population is largely descended from Africans who arrived as slaves to French plantations during 18th and 19th century. Nowadays they predominantly speak French or African languages belonging to Niger-Congo family-like Baoulé, Dioula or Dan. The country has designated many international airports and ports of entry that offer visa-free access to its visitors. This includes the Felix Houphouet Boigny International Airport in Abidjan, the country’s economic capital, as well as seaports such as Abidjan Port and Grand-Bassam Port.
Visa requirements
The visa requirements for traveling to the Ivory Coast depend on your purpose. The country offers visas for a variety of purposes including tourism, business, media coverage and study. For tourists, there are visas specific to visiting family members in Ivory Coast.
Some travelers require a visa before they can travel because they are not citizens of one of the eligible countries. This applies if you are from America, Canada, India or Japan and many other countries that do not have a visa waiver agreement with the Ivory coast.
A recent study by the World Bank revealed that Ivory Coast is one of the top ten countries in terms of visa refusals.
Ivory Coast is a country in Western Africa.The economy of Ivory Coast relies heavily on agriculture and tourism, and as such, the country also offers hospitality services like hotels and other accommodation facilities.Issues with tourism in Ivory Coast can be traced back to the 2014 Ebola epidemic which caused much anxiety among travelers worldwide. In recent years, however, there have been an increasing number of visitors to the country again for both business and leisure purposes. High levels of unemployment are another problem that undermines growth prospects; while young people represent nearly 60% of the total population, they account for a mere 20% of jobs available in Ivory Coast today.
READ ALSO: Ivory Coast Visa Policy
Ivory Coast visa for Indians
India and the Ivory Coast have a visa agreement for diplomatic, service, and business purposes. However, it is not valid for tourism. The Ivory Coast requires that all Indian tourists who wish to visit on a short-term basis must apply for a tourist visa in advance. The application process takes up to two weeks and involves paying a $30 processing fee. A visa is only required by citizens of countries other than India who plan on staying in the Ivory Coast for longer than 90 days, or who plan on going any place other than Abidjan or Bouake.
To get a visa for the Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), an Indian citizen must first submit their application to the embassy in Abuja, Nigeria or Accra, Ghana. Then they will be interviewed at the embassy in order to verify the reasons of their stay in Côte d'Ivoire. They will also need to submit an itinerary of their planned stay with hotel reservations and flight tickets as well as medical insurance.
The applicant should also have documents like marriage certificates or birth certificates that prove that they are not trying to immigrate illegally in order to avoid rejection from authorities at the airport.
Common Misconceptions
One of the most common misconceptions about the Ivory Coast is that it is dangerous and unsafe, but this couldn't be further from the truth. It's a popular place to visit and home to many tourist attractions, including vibrant markets, beautiful beaches, bustling cities and picturesque villages.
The country's Prime Minister Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta recently announced plans for a new visa system designed to make things easier for both locals and tourists.
India has always had a strong cultural connection with the Ivory Coast because of its proximity to Western Africa. As India's economy continues to grow, so does its presence in this region which means more people are wanting to travel there or live there permanently.
READ ALSO: Cote Divoire Visa Free Countries
Required documents to apply for Ivory Coast Visa for Indians
The most important document that you will need to submit for visa application is an airline ticket (confirmed departure date and boarding pass). You can also submit a hotel booking confirmation. If you need to contact the consulate, you will need to provide your email and phone number.
The required documents for Ivory Coast visa for Indian citizens are as follows:
- A valid passport with at least two blank pages
- One completed and signed visa application form
- One passport sized photo with a white background
- Proof of sufficient funds - a bank statement or proof of credit card details
- Proof of accommodation – hotel booking confirmation
