ECOWAS free movement and entry for CEDEAO nationals

Côte d'Ivoire is a member of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS / CEDEAO). Holders of ECOWAS passports are exempt from entry visas, and a national identity card of an ECOWAS state is accepted as a valid travel document for entry.

Visa exemption removes the entry-visa requirement, but ECOWAS nationals who settle in Côte d'Ivoire are still subject to the rules on the stay of foreigners. Note that the ONECI resident card obligation is specifically framed for non-ECOWAS (non-CEDEAO) citizens; ECOWAS nationals should confirm the current registration or identification requirements that apply to them.

This is what makes Côte d'Ivoire's entry regime distinctive: for a large group of West African nationals, movement into the country is visa-free, while all other nationalities fall under the standard visa and permit system.

Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.