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Do UAE passport holders need a visa to visit CI?

UAE ordinary passport holders need a visa for Côte d'Ivoire. The standard route is the official eVisa (pre-enrollment) via snedai.com, with the biometric visa issued on arrival at Abidjan (Port Bouët) International Airport. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Côte d'Ivoire does not grant visa-free entry or a separate visa-on-arrival channel to ordinary United Arab Emirates passport holders, so a visa must be obtained before travel. The country operates an official electronic visa (eVisa) system run by SNEDAI, the government-authorized operator. Travelers complete the pre-enrollment application online at snedai.com, pay a fee of 73 EUR, and receive an approval/pre-enrollment confirmation, typically within about 48-72 hours. The physical biometric visa sticker is then issued at the airport on arrival in Abidjan, where fingerprints and a photo are captured. A critical condition is that the eVisa is valid only for entry through Félix Houphouët-Boigny International Airport (Port Bouët) in Abidjan; travelers entering by land or sea must obtain a traditional visa from an Ivorian diplomatic mission instead. The tourist eVisa permits a stay of up to 90 days. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is compulsory for all travelers entering Côte d'Ivoire, and the passport must be valid for at least six months with two blank pages. Because UAE is not on the visa-exemption list for ordinary passports, the verdict is firmly eVisa-required, and travelers should default to applying online before departure rather than assuming any waiver.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMMULTIPLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
UAE (Golden Visa)Living in UAE as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
eVisa (online pre-enrollment, visa issued on arrival at Abidjan airport)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days
per entry
Entries
Multiple entry
from issue date
Visa fee
73 EUR (approx. AED 295)
consular fee only
Processing time
Approx. 48-72 hours after online pre-enrollment
standard track
Validity
90 days from issue
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm eligibility and entry point
Verify you will enter Côte d'Ivoire by air via Abidjan (Port Bouët) International Airport, as the eVisa is only valid for air entry there. Land/sea arrivals require a traditional consular visa.
· Air entry only· Abidjan airport
/02
Prepare documents
Scan your UAE passport bio page (valid 6+ months, 2 blank pages), a passport photo, return/onward flight ticket, hotel reservation or invitation, and your yellow fever vaccination certificate.
· Digital scans· Yellow fever cert
/03
Apply online at snedai.com
Complete the official eVisa pre-enrollment form on the SNEDAI portal, entering personal, passport and travel details across the application pages.
· Official portal· Online form
/04
Pay the visa fee
Pay the 73 EUR fee online by card. The fee is non-refundable, including if the application is rejected for incomplete documents.
· 73 EUR· Non-refundable
/05
Receive pre-enrollment approval
Wait for the approval confirmation, usually within about 48-72 hours. Print the pre-enrollment / approval document to carry with you.
· ~48-72 hrs· Print confirmation
/06
Collect the visa on arrival in Abidjan
At Port Bouët Airport, present the printed approval, passport and documents. Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) are captured and the physical visa is issued.
· Biometrics taken· Visa sticker issued
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
UAE passport valid 6+ months beyond stay with 2 blank pages
required
Completed SNEDAI eVisa online pre-enrollment
required
Printed eVisa pre-enrollment / approval confirmation
required
Yellow fever vaccination certificate
required
Return or onward flight ticket
required
Hotel reservation or letter of invitation
required
Recent passport-style photograph
required
Paid 73 EUR eVisa fee (non-refundable)
required
Arrival via Abidjan (Port Bouët) International Airport
required
Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
recommended
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
eVisa fee73 EUROfficial SNEDAI eVisa fee, paid online, non-refundable
Yellow fever vaccinationApprox. AED 150-300Cost at a clinic in the UAE; certificate mandatory for entry
Optional agency service feeApprox. 20-60 EUROnly if using a third-party processing agent instead of the official portal
Total estimate73 EUR160 EURincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Third-party expedited service
3-7 working days
Private agencies offer rush handling at added cost; not necessary if using the official portal
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
UAE not on visa-exemption list
Côte d'Ivoire's visa policy does not exempt ordinary UAE passport holders, so a visa is mandatory before travel.
High
/02
eVisa is the standard channel
The official SNEDAI eVisa pre-enrollment is the normal route for air travelers, with the visa issued at Abidjan airport.
High
/03
Air entry via Abidjan required
The eVisa is only valid for entry at Port Bouët Airport; land or sea entry needs a consular visa.
Medium
/04
Yellow fever certificate mandatory
All arrivals must show proof of yellow fever vaccination, a common reason for denied boarding or entry.
Medium
/05
Non-refundable fee on incomplete applications
Incomplete or incorrect document uploads can lead to rejection with no fee refund.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
United Arab Emirates to Côte d'Ivoire route verified
Confirmed via Côte d'Ivoire visa policy and SNEDAI eVisa sources that UAE ordinary passport holders require an eVisa (online pre-enrollment, issued on arrival at Abidjan), 73 EUR, up to 90 days, with mandatory yellow fever vaccination.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Do UAE citizens need a visa to visit Côte d'Ivoire?
Yes. Ordinary UAE passport holders are not visa-exempt and must obtain an eVisa before traveling, applying online via the official SNEDAI portal.
Is it a true visa-on-arrival?+
How much does the eVisa cost?+
How long can I stay?+
Can I enter by land or sea with the eVisa?+
Is a yellow fever vaccination required?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the UAE passport

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