Residence & citizenship
Ivorian Resident Card (Carte de Résident)
The residence document for non-ECOWAS foreigners settling in Côte d'Ivoire, exempting the holder from the entry-visa requirement for up to five years.
Expert reviewed Official guidance referenced
Important information
Immigration rules and fees can change. This information is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always check the latest requirements on the official Ivory Coast government website before you apply.
- Official name
- Carte de résident (foreigner resident card)
- Route type
- Residence card / settlement
- Issuing body
- Office National de l'État Civil et de l'Identification (ONECI)
- Validity
- Up to 5 years, renewable
- Cost
- 300,000 FCFA (non-ECOWAS); 150,000 FCFA (French nationals); 35,000 FCFA (French religious/cooperants)
Who it is for
Non-ECOWAS foreigners residing in Côte d'Ivoire - workers, students, traders, religious personnel, retirees and their dependants.
Requirements
- Copy of passport identity page (or consular card), visa and entry stamp
- Online pre-enrolment receipt and enrolment receipt
- Birth certificate extract and recent residence certificate from ONECI
- Category-specific proof (work attestation, enrolment, commercial register, pension statement, etc.)
- Non-French documents translated and certified
What you can do
- Reside and work legally in Côte d'Ivoire
- Enter without a visa for the card's validity (up to 5 years)
- Open a bank account, sign a lease and carry out administrative operations
How to apply
- Pre-enrol online via ONECI and obtain the pre-enrolment receipt
- Submit the physical dossier at an ONECI resident-card centre by appointment
- Pay the resident-card tax
- Collect the card after processing (about 15 business days for a new card)
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official gov.uk sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.