Do China passport holders need a visa to visit CI?
Chinese ordinary passport holders need a visa for Côte d'Ivoire, obtained as a pre-arrival e-Visa through the official SNEDAI portal. You apply and pay online before departure (at least 48 hours ahead), receive an approval/confirmation by email, and the biometric visa is finalized and collected on arrival at Abidjan Port-Bouët Airport. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory. Côte d'Ivoire does not grant visa-free entry to ordinary Chinese passport holders; only Chinese diplomatic and service passport holders are visa-exempt. The standard route for tourists is the official Ivorian e-Visa run by SNEDAI (snedai.com/e-visa). The applicant completes the form online, uploads a passport scan and photo, pays the fee (EUR 73) by card, and must submit at least 48 hours before the flight. After approval an email/pre-enrollment confirmation is issued, which is printed and presented on arrival at Abidjan; biometrics (fingerprints/photo) are then captured and the physical visa sticker is issued at the airport. The visa is valid for up to 90 days and typically allows a stay of up to 90 days. Because the e-Visa must be requested and approved online before boarding, this is an e-Visa scheme rather than a true visa-on-arrival. A passport valid at least 6 months, onward/return ticket, proof of accommodation, and a valid yellow fever vaccination certificate are required. Travelers should always reconfirm on the official SNEDAI portal as fees and procedures can change.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMSINGLE 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.