Do You Need A Visa To Transit Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire?

Intro

Before heading out on my flight from Lagos to Abidjan, I found very little information regarding visa requirements for connecting passengers in the Ivory Coast. Not a single friend or the internet could inform, and the Cote d'Ivoire embassy didn't answer. However, I am here to inform you that you do not need a visa to transit Abidjan, but you can do so on one condition.

Same Ticket

There is a catch, though, for not needing to have a visa. The only way that this works is if you are on the same ticket. For example:

Lagos-Abidjan-Dakar all on one ticket Air Cote d'Ivoire- no visa required

Lagos-Abidjan (Air Cote d'Ivoire)-Addis Ababa (visa required)

The reason is that once you arrive in Abidjan, there will be a lane to the right for connecting passengers. If you don't have to change airlines, your bags will be sent through directly, and you can utilize the connecting lane. Even if you have no bags, most airlines don't have any sort of customer service airside to re-check in.

Connecting passengers to the right, immigration to the left

Granted, when you arrive at the connecting passenger's checkpoint, they will ask to see your onward boarding pass. Ordinarily, you might be able to get away with online check-in on a carrier like Ethiopian, but I wouldn't risk it unless it is all on one ticket.

Additionally, do not freak out if you are flying Ethiopian from New York-Abidjan-Addis Ababa and vice versa. YOU DO NOT NEED A VISA.

Final Thoughts

There is no need to fret; even if you have a US passport, you do not need a visa to transit on the same booking in Abidjan. As long as you have an onward flight that is part of the same itinerary, just follow the signs for connecting flights.