Cote d'Ivoire
Country Specific Information
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August 17, 2012

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Cote d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast) is a developing country on the western coast of Africa. The official capital is Yamoussoukro, but Abidjan is the largest city, the main commercial center, and the location of the Ivorian government and the U.S. Embassy. The official language is French; English is not widely used. Cote d’Ivoire is a republic whose constitution provides for separate branches of government under a strong president.

Since 1999, Cote d’Ivoirehas experienced several episodes of political unrest and violence - most recently, the post-electoral crisis following presidential elections in late 2010. After President Alassane Ouattara’s inauguration in May 2011, violence and instability subsided significantly. As of March 26, 2012, the U.S. Embassy in Cote d’Ivoire returned to operating as a fully accompanied post, allowing minor dependents of U.S. government employees to travel or accompany family members to Abidjan. Since the post-electoral crisis ended, schools and businesses have reopened and government services such as police and gendarme activity have nearly returned to pre-crisis levels. The airport and ports have also fully resumed operations. The Embassy continues to monitor the host country's capacity for providing basic services to its population, particularly related to safety and security issues. Police and gendarmes are not always able to fulfill their public security mandate due to antiquated training and an acute lack of resources, such as weapons, transportation, and communications equipment. The potential for civil unrest, however, remains. The government faces significant challenges in terms of security, the economy, national reconciliation, and humanitarian needs.

Tourist facilities in and near Abidjan, the commercial capital, are good; accommodations in many other locations are limited in quality and availability. Read the Department of State's Background Notes on Cote d'Ivoire for additional information.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM (STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Cote d'Ivoire, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you enroll, we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. Here’s the link to the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

Embassy Abidjan
Address: 01 B.P. 1712
Abidjan 01 Cote d’Ivoire.
Telephone: 225-22-49-40-00
Emergency after-hours telephone: 225-22-49-44-50
Facsimile: 225-22-49-42-02
Email: AbjAmcit@state.gov

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ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: The Ivorian government requires U.S. citizens to have a valid visa for entry into Cote d'Ivoire, as well as a passport with more than six months of remaining validity. U.S. citizens traveling to Cote d'Ivoire should check with the nearest Ivorian embassy or consulate for details regarding the latest visa procedures and fees. Please note that visas are not available at the airport upon arrival, and that airport immigration control officials in Abidjan have both detained and denied entry to U.S. citizens arriving in Cote d’Ivoire without a visa. In addition to visa and passport requirements, an international health certificate showing current yellow fever immunization is required for entry into Cote d’Ivoire. Without it, the traveler may be required to submit to vaccination at entry before clearing immigration, at a cost of 5,000 CFA (a little over $10).

An exit permit is required for all art objects being removed from Cote d'Ivoire. The export permit costs 2000 CFA plus 500 CFA per object(approximately one to four U.S. dollars). Only the National Museum has the authority to issue the permits.

Foreign travelers are sometimes approached at ports of entry by individuals with offers to expedite passport control and customs, and are then asked to pay an exorbitant fee, both for the service and for the passport and customs officers. Travelers to Cote d’Ivoire are advised that there is no need to pay a police officer or customs officer for any service rendered during an arrival or departure, and that they should not surrender their passports or other important documents to anyone except easily identifiable government officials in uniform.

U.S. citizens intending to establish a residence in Cote d’Ivoire must apply for a residency permit “carte de séjour” at the Office d’Identification Nationale. (Note: "Cartes de séjour" are not issued to children under the age of 16 who are documented on their parents' visas.)

Travelers may obtain the latest information and details on entry requirements from the Embassy of the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire, 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007, tel. (202) 797-0300. Cote d’Ivoire has a Consulate in Los Angeles located at 3550 Wilshire Blvd, Ste 1728, Los Angeles, CA 90010, tel. (310) 358-3339. There are honorary consulates for Cote d’Ivoire in San Francisco, Stamford, Orlando, Houston, and Detroit. If you are currently overseas, you should inquire at the nearest Ivorian embassy or consulate.

The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Cote d'Ivoire.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Since President Ouattara fully assumed office in May 2011, the country is no longer divided, although some political tensions persist and sometimes lead to localized violent incidents. The normal security infrastructure of police and gendarmerie is in a state of transition and reestablishment. The military often performs traditional civilian law enforcement functions for which is it not properly trained, and the military and police themselves have also recently been the subject of targeted attacks in which several soldiers and policemen were killed.

The banking system is open and money-wire services are operational in Cote d'Ivoire.

The Embassy’s ability to provide consular services outside of the Abidjan area, including emergency assistance, is severely limited. Many areas of Cote d’Ivoire are difficult to access, and travel in these areas is hazardous. Outside the major cities, infrastructure is poor, medical care is limited, and there are few facilities for tourists.

The U.S. Embassy in Abidjan and the Department of State continue to monitor the securitysituation in Cote d’Ivoire closely. U.S. citizens are reminded that even demonstrations and/or political events intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and possibly escalate into violence. U.S. citizens are therefore urged to avoid the areas of demonstrations, and to exercise caution if within the vicinity of any demonstrations or political events.  U.S. citizens in Cote d’Ivoire are advised to stay current on media coverage of local events and to remain aware of their surroundings at all times.

U.S. citizens should avoid crowds and demonstrations, be aware of their surroundings, and use common sense to avoid situations and locations that could be dangerous. Swimming in coastal waters is dangerous and strongly discouraged, even for excellent swimmers. The ocean currents along the coast are powerful and treacherous, and several people drown each year.

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CRIME: Crime continues to be a major public security concern in Cote d’Ivoire. Armed carjackings, robberies of businesses, and home invasions have occurred and targeted residents, including expatriates, who are perceived as wealthy. U.S. citizens, either visiting or residing in Cote d’Ivoire, are strongly encouraged to remain alert and aware of their surroundings to prevent becoming a victim of crime. The general guidance for travel to Cote d’Ivoire is to exercise the same prudence and caution you that you would in any metropolitan area in the United States. Common sense steps include refraining from displaying jewelry and other valuables and carrying limited amounts of cash and only photocopies of key documents. In addition, home and car doors should be locked at all times. When moving about the city, stay in well-lit areas and walk confidently at a steady pace on the side of the street facing traffic close to the curb. Avoid crowds, mass transit, alleys, and sparsely populated areas. Take caution when walking past concealed areas such as doorways and bushes. Whenever possible, travel in pairs or small groups. If you go out at night and need transportation, orange taxis are metered, although no safer than any other taxis. There have been reports of muggings and robbery scams even in metered taxis. Always carry identification and be discreet about your transactions, especially on the street. Normal spending habits of Westerners may appear extravagant to Ivoirians.

Be particularly alert when visiting Abidjan’s Koumassi, Yopougon, and Abobo districts. When traveling outside of Abidjan, you should avoid traveling after dark and should be aware that police and security forces often use vehicular checkpoints to extort money from drivers and passengers. If you must travel after dark, use extreme caution. 

U.S. citizens who are stopped by police/security forces are urged to be polite and cooperate. If you are ticketed, you should ask the officer for a receipt for any items confiscated by the police, such as a driver’s license or other identification. Drivers issued a ticket should note, however, that it is legal to pay the police officer money by the side of the road, but the amount paid should not exceed the amount printed on the ticket itself. The fees generally range from 500 CFA to 2,000 CFA (approximately one to four U.S. dollars).

U.S. citizens detained by the police should ask that the U.S. Embassy be notified immediately at 225 2249-4000/4050.

Contact information for local authorities includes:Abidjan Prefecture of Police: 225 2021-0022
Police Headquarters: 225 2022-0822
Ministry of Security: 225 2022-1950/1941
Police Emergency Number: 225 3163-3536/4503
While there have been relatively few reported cases of sexual assault against foreigners, the actual rate of assault may be higher. U.S. citizens have been economic targets. Travelers should avoid large gatherings and political demonstrations, as they can quickly turn violent.

Credit card use in Cote d’Ivoire is limited, particularly outside Abidjan, and credit card fraud is an increasing problem. Business fraud is common and the perpetrators often target foreigners. Schemes previously associated with Nigeria are now prevalent throughout West Africa, including Cote d’Ivoire, and pose a risk of grave financial loss. Typically these scams begin with unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from strangers who promise quick financial gain, often by transferring large sums of money or valuables out of the country, but then require a series of "advance fees" to be paid, such as fees for legal documents or taxes. Of course, the final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is simply to collect the advance fees. A common variation is the scammer’s claim to be a refugee or émigré of a prominent West African family, who needs assistance transferring large sums of cash. Another common scam involves alleged victims of a serious accident or injury in need of money for life-saving medical care. Still other variations appear to be legitimate business deals that require advance payments on contracts or large purchases of merchandise using fraudulent credit cards. Sometimes victims are convinced to provide bank account and credit card information, and authorize financial transactions that drain their accounts, causing them to incur large debts.

The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense, if a proposition looks too good to be true it is probably a scam, particularly if you have never met the correspondent. You should carefully check and research any unsolicited business proposal before committing funds, providing goods or services, or undertaking travel. A good clue to a scam is the phone number given to the victim; legitimate businesses and offices provide fixed line numbers, while scams typically use only cellular (cell) phones. In Cote d’Ivoire, most cell phone numbers start with 44, 45, 46, 48, 60, 66, or 67. It is virtually impossible to recover money lost through these scams. For additional information, please consult the Department of State's brochure on international financial scams.

Don't buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal in the United States, if you purchase them, you may also be breaking local law.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates ).

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of violent crimes such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and if you want us to, we cancontact family members or friend.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

The local equivalent to the “911” emergency line in Cote d’Ivoire is 111.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Cote d'Ivoire, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don't have your passport with you. In some places, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods, for example. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Cote d'Ivoire, your U.S. passport won't help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It's very important to know what's legal and what's not where you are going. Persons violating Ivorian laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Cote d'Ivoire are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.

Under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Cote d'Ivoire, you may request that police, prison officials, and other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. You may also ask that they forward communications to the U.S. embassy or consulate on your behalf.

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Ivorian customs authorities encourage the use of an ATA (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission) Carnet for the temporary admission of professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and fair purposes. ATA Carnet Headquarters, at the U.S. Council for International Business, 1212 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036, issues and guarantees the ATA Carnet in the United States. For additional information, call (212) 354-4480 or e-mail ATA Carnet Headquarters.

If traveling to another West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) country, expatriate residents leaving Cote d’Ivoire must declare the amount of currency being taken out of the country. Residents traveling to countries that use the CFA franc currency, but are not WAEMU members, are prohibited from taking CFA francs out of Cote d’Ivoire and are authorized to carry up to the equivalent of 2,000,000 CFA francs (approximately $4,000) in any other currency. You can take funds in excess of that amount out of the country in the form of travelers or bank checks. If going to any other country, tourists are prohibited from taking more than 500,000 CFA francs (approximately $1,000) and business operators are prohibited from taking more than 2,000,000 CFA francs (approximately $4,000) without government approval.

Carry a photocopy of your U.S. passport, visa, and entry stamps. You should also carry your international driver’s license, especially if you plan to drive anywhere in Cote d’Ivoire. U.S. driver’s licenses are not valid in Cote d’Ivoire. Government corruption remains a serious problem in Cote d’Ivoire, and has an impact on judicial proceedings, contract awards, customs, and tax issues. Uniformed security forces (police, military, gendarmes) routinely stop vehicles for traffic violations and security checks. If you are stopped, politely present your identification. Police and security officials rarely speak English. If you are stopped at one of these checkpoints and asked to pay a bribe, politely refuse and present your photocopy of your U.S. passport, visa, and entry stamp.

Taking pictures is prohibited near sensitive installations, including military sites, government buildings such as radio and television stations, the Presidency building, the airport, and the DeGaulle and Houphouet-Boigny bridges in Abidjan.

Please see our Customs Information sheet.

Accessibility:Individuals with disabilities should be aware that there are almost no accommodations made for individuals with disabilities in Cote d’Ivoire.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Abidjan has privately-run medical and dental facilities that are adequate, but do not fully meet U.S. standards. Good physician specialists can be found, though few speak English. While pharmacies are well-stocked with medications produced in Europe, newer drugs may not be available. If you plan a lengthy trip to Cote d’Ivoire, you should bring enough medication to last the entire stay, not just a prescription, in your carry-on luggage. Medical care outside of Abidjan is extremely limited.

Malaria is a serious health problem in Cote d’Ivoire. For more information on malaria, including protective measures, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) web site.

The avian influenza or “bird flu” virus (H5N1) was confirmed in animals in Cote d’Ivoire as of June 2006 and could recur. For more information regarding avian influenza, please visit the CDC’s avian influenza web page, and read the State Department’s "2009-H1N1, Pandemic Influenza, and H5N1" influenza Fact Sheet.

In January 2011, the Ministry of Health of Côte d’Ivoire and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a yellow fever outbreak in the central and northern districts of Beoumi, Katiola, Seguela, and Mankono. Based on the ongoing nationwide risk of yellow fever, the CDC has a long-standing recommendation for all travelers to Côte d’Ivoire to obtain the yellow fever vaccine, and the government of Cote d'Ivoire requires it for entry into the country. In response to the current outbreak, at the end of January 2011, the Ministry of Health of Côte d’Ivoire conducted a mass vaccination campaign in the affected districts. 

There are yearly cholera outbreaks. The risk of contracting acute watery diarrhea, including cholera, can be significantly reduced by drinking purified water, bleaching produce, and eating meat and seafood that are thoroughly cooked and hot.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions on the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

Tuberculosis is an increasingly serious health concern in Cote d’Ivoire. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can't assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It's very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I'm out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In Côte d’Ivoire,doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors' and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn't go with you when you travel, it's a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page. Medevac insurance is usually separate from medical insurance, and is recommended for visits to Côte d’Ivoire.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Cote d'Ivoire, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Cote d’Ivoire is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance. Serious traffic accidents, one of the greatest threats to U.S. citizens in Cote d’Ivoire, occur regularly in Abidjan. Unsafe road conditions, unskilled drivers, and poorly maintained and overloaded vehicles create very poor driving conditions. Speed limits, lane markings, and signals are not respected, and drivers do not yield for pedestrians or bicyclists. Drive defensively, watch out for public transportation vehicles that stop and start without warning, and be especially cautious at intersections because traffic lights often malfunction. If you drive at night, beware of vehicles without headlights or taillights and pedestrians and bicycles along the roadside. In case of an accident, do not move your vehicle until a police officer tells you to do so. However, if there is no other vehicle to take the injured to a hospital, or if you believe your life is in danger from others at the site of the accident, go to the nearest hospital or police station.

Abidjan has a poor public transportation system; if you choose to travel by bus despite the risks, the “Express” line is believed to be the safest and most reliable. In Abidjan, taxis are readily available, inexpensive (metered), but poorly maintained and notorious for not respecting the rules of the road. There have been reports of robberies in metered or Orange taxis, widely thought to be the most secure form of public transportation. Communal taxis (“woro-woros”), used only within the limits of each commune, are not metered and are dangerous. Don’t use local vans ("Gbaka") because they are frequently involved in accidents.

While carjacking incidents are not as frequent as in other high-crime cities, they do occur, including vehicles with diplomatic plates. The Embassy recommends that motorists drive with doors locked and windows closed at all times. While stopped in traffic, allow enough room between your car and the one in front to maneuver out if needed. Before getting into your car, look around to see if there is anyone paying unusual attention and, if someone appears to be watching, don’t go to your vehicle, get assistance instead. If confronted, remain courteous and calm and, if threatened, do not resist. Please report any incident to the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan.

Emergency services such as ambulance service (SAMU) exist in Abidjan and larger towns, but such service is unreliable. Call 185 or 2244-5553. In smaller towns there is usually no ambulance service available, but ambulances may be dispatched from larger towns.

Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Cote d'Ivoire’s Civil Aviation Authority as not being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Cote d'Ivoire’s air carrier operations. You can find further information on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on inter-country adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Cote d'Ivoire dated December 16, 2011, to update Country Description, Threats to Safety and Security, Traffic Safety and Road Conditions, and Medical Facilities and Health Information.

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