Applying for a French visa from Ivory Coast: instructions

Ivorians who plan to visit France for a stay of less than 90 days must apply for a visa. This is a Schengen visa for short stays that allows many non-European citizens to enter and move freely within the Schengen area, which includes France.
From mandatory procedures for submitting a complete file, to deadlines and various fees, we will guide you through the process to apply for your visa for France in Côte d'Ivoire.

Where to apply for my France visa in Côte d'Ivoire?

France visa applications submitted in Côte d'Ivoire are processed by the French Consulate General in Abidjan, which is the only authority authorized to make visa decisions.
However, to reduce waiting times and streamline the process, the French consular authorities in Côte d'Ivoire have outsourced part of the procedures to a service provider.
It is VFS Global Abidjan that handles visa applicants, including appointment scheduling, biometric data collection, visa fee payment, and receiving application files before forwarding them to the consulate.

1. You must first log in to France-Visas (france-visas.gouv.fr), the official site for French visas, to create a personal account
2. Review the list of documents and supporting documents to attach to your application file
3. Fill out the visa application form online. Print and sign it. You must attach this completed and signed form to the application file you will present during your appointment at the visa service
4. You will then be directed to the VFS Global Abidjan website (visa.vfsglobal.com/civ/fr/fra) to schedule an appointment. An email will be sent to you with an appointment confirmation letter that you must print and present on the day of your interview at the visa center.

Note: After registration on France-Visas, holders of diplomatic and service passports can present themselves without an appointment at the diplomatic and service passport service of the French Embassy in Abidjan. The processing time from application submission to visa issuance is 48 hours.

What are the deadlines to apply and get a visa for France?

Make sure to allow enough time for preparing your file, gathering supporting documents, making an appointment for the visa, and processing your application.
You can apply for a France visa up to 3 to 6 months before the scheduled travel date.
Usually, VFS Global gives appointments within 2 working days.
The processing time for applications varies depending on the purpose of travel and the applicant's nationality (a non-Ivorian resident legally in Côte d'Ivoire whose nationality requires a Schengen visa can also apply for a France visa through the French consular services).
For short-stay visa applications: expect an average processing time of 10 to 15 days for Ivorian nationals, and a minimum of 15 days for third-country nationals.
For long-stay visa applications: expect an average processing time of 1 month. In some cases, it may take several months.

What documents do I need for a France short-stay visa application?

During your appointment at the visa service, you must bring a complete application file with all documents and supporting documents (originals and copies) listed when you registered online. These documents may vary depending on the purpose of your trip and your profile.
The list below is not exhaustive.
Among the documents typically required are:

• your passport: issued less than 10 years ago, with a validity exceeding 3 months after the date you must leave the Schengen area. It must have 2 blank pages
• the France visa application form (since February 2, 2020, this is Cerfa n°14076*03) duly completed and signed.
• the France-Visas receipt
• two identical, recent, and compliant passport-sized photos
• proof of your legal residence (residence permit) in Côte d'Ivoire if you are not an Ivorian national
• proof of the purpose of your trip: return ticket reservation or pre-reservation, proof of family ties with the host (for family travel purposes, for example)…
• proof of accommodation in France: invitation letter, hotel reservation...
• proof of your financial means: last 3 bank statements, last 3 salary or pension slips. If applicable, a sponsorship letter and supporting documents for the sponsor's identity and income
• proof of your settlement in your country of residence: these documents vary depending on your status (employee, civil servant, merchant, self-employed, retiree, student...) and are specified during your online visa application
• the attestation of travel medical insurance: it is mandatory

Special case: airport transit visa

People holding an ordinary passport issued by Côte d'Ivoire who must transit through a French airport before reaching their final destination (outside the Schengen area) must apply for a airport transit visa (referred to as type "A").
To apply for a VTA, they must log in to France-Visas to find out the procedure and supporting documents to include in their file. They must also pay the visa fee (€80) and service fees.
Note: a VTA does not allow its holder to enter the Schengen area, including France. They must remain in the international zone of the airport through which they are transiting.

How does the appointment at the visa center go?

Unless you are exempt from biometric data collection (children under 12 years old or applicants who have already received a visa with the mention (VIS) within the last 59 months), you must appear in person at the appointment.
You must bring your appointment confirmation, the required documents for your France visa application, and payment methods to cover the visa fee and service charges.
You must follow the strict security guidelines imposed by the visa center in Abidjan, which are provided when making the appointment. An agent will verify that your file contains all the required documents and supporting materials.

If your file is complete, the agent will give you a receipt with a reference number and forward your application to the consulate after you have paid the fees and provided your biometric data (fingerprints and photo).
If your file is incomplete (missing documents), you can:

• choose not to submit your file and complete it with the required supporting documents and reschedule your appointment. You will not have to pay the visa fee if you do not submit your file
• choose to submit your incomplete file at your own risk, understanding that your visa application may be rejected and the fees paid may be forfeited. In this case, a VFS agent will ask you to sign a waiver indicating that your file is incomplete and specifying which documents are missing.

Important: A complete file submitted to the consular authorities does not automatically imply that your France visa application will be accepted.

With your reference number provided when submitting your file, you can track the progress of your application by logging into the VFS Global website. When the consular authorities have made a decision regarding your visa application, they will send your travel document (passport with the visa if granted) to the VFS Global Centre. VFS will then send your passport to the address you provided by mail.

Tip: If you do not have any other identity document other than your passport, consider making a photocopy of the page containing your personal information before submitting your file.

What are the fees for a France visa application?

When submitting your visa application, you must pay fees which consist of the visa application fees, collected by the French authorities, and the service fees, collected by VFS Global.
You may have already paid the service fees online when booking your appointment on the VFS Global website. In this case, be sure to have the payment receipt.
If the fees are quoted in euros, they must be paid in local currency.
These fees are not refundable in case of visa refusal.

Fee Schedule for a Short Stay France Visa

• For a short stay France visa:
  Adult: 80 €
  Child aged 12 to 18 years: 80 €
  Child aged 6 to under 12 years: 40 €
  Child under 6 years: free
  Spouses of French nationals and family members of EU-EEA-Swiss nationals: free
   
• For a short stay visa for Guadeloupe, Guyana, Martinique, Reunion, Saint Martin, and Saint Barthelemy:
  Adult: 60 €
  Child aged 12 to 18 years: 60 €
  Child aged 6 to under 12 years: 35 €
  Child under 6 years: free
  Spouses of French nationals and family members of EU-EEA-Swiss nationals: free
   
• For a short stay visa for New Caledonia, French Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Mayotte, and the French Southern and Antarctic Lands: 9 €
  Spouses of French nationals and family members of EU-EEA-Swiss nationals: free

VFS Global Service Fees

The service fees amount to 34.65 EUR per visa applicant. This amount is payable in local currency (at the exchange rate set by the French authorities, which may fluctuate).
Important:

• This amount includes fees for the return of your passport by mail to Abidjan. For delivery to other parts of Côte d'Ivoire (outside Abidjan), additional fees (6,000 CFA, approximately 9 euros) apply.
• The service fees must be paid online when booking your appointment with the VFS Global center.
• They can be paid online via Orange/MTN/Moov Money or by credit card.

Do I have to take out travel insurance to come to France?

It is mandatory. In accordance with the Schengen Visa Code, Ivorian short-stay visa applicants must submit proof of travel insurance with their application. Without this certificate, your France visa application will be refused. This travel insurance must cover you in case of accidents, health issues, medical emergencies, and repatriation. The insurance must guarantee a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.

Why choose AXA Schengen Travel Insurance?

It is accepted by all consulates and embassies of Schengen member countries... including France! It is the ideal solution. You can immediately obtain your travel insurance certificate by applying online. Its basic Low-Cost plan (22€ per week of stay) covers medical expenses up to 30,000 €, repatriation, and 24/7 assistance. Without wasting time, you can attach this certificate to your France visa application from Côte d'Ivoire.

Covid: Health Conditions for Entering France from Côte d'Ivoire

In addition to the usual rules governing the right to stay (valid passport accompanied by the required documents: short stay visa, long stay visa, residence permit, etc.), all travelers to France must comply with entry requirements during the health crisis. These vary according to vaccination status and the traveler's country of origin.

(Since February 12, 2022)

1. For vaccinated travelers regardless of the country of origin: no Covid-19 testing will be required before departure, but they must present proof of complete vaccination status ^₍₁₎
    
2. For unvaccinated travelers
   • From a "green" list country ^₍₂₎: mandatory presentation of a negative PCR test result less than 72 hours old or an antigen test (TAG) less than 48 hours old. Children under 12 are exempt from these formalities.
     
     From an "orange" list country, they must:
   • have a compelling reason justifying the necessity of their trip to mainland France,
   • present either a negative PCR or antigen test result or a recovery certificate and agree to undergo a test upon arrival.
     
     In case of a positive result, they will need to isolate, following the recommendations of French health insurance. Children under 12 are exempt from these formalities.

IMPORTANT: All travelers - regardless of their vaccination status - must carry a sworn declaration stating that they do not exhibit Covid-19 symptoms and are not aware of having been a contact case in the 14 days preceding their travel.

(1)According to European regulations, a vaccination scheme is considered complete under the following criteria:

• 28 days after the administration of a dose for the Janssen vaccine
• 7 days after the administration of a second dose for other vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency (Pfizer/Comirnaty, Moderna, AstraZeneca/Vaxzevria/Covishield)
• For individuals who have received all the required doses of a vaccine authorized by the WHO but not recognized by the EMA: 7 days after the administration of a supplementary dose of an mRNA vaccine recognized by the EMA

Note: Since February 1, 2022, for the vaccination schedule to remain recognized as complete, individuals aged 18 or older, who wish to enter French territory, must have received a supplementary mRNA vaccine dose (booster dose) no later than 9 months following the last required dose.

(2) France has established a classification of countries and territories based on health indicators. This color classification may change depending on the health situation and/or the concerning appearance of variants. Therefore, we recommend regularly checking the updated list provided by the French government to know the status of Ivory Coast when you plan to come to France.

_{We do our best to provide you with the most reliable and up-to-date information possible, but visa regulations can be modified at any time by the French consulate in your country if circumstances require it. Therefore, we cannot be held responsible for these changes. Please contact the consular authorities to know the precise requirements in effect when you submit your visa application.}

For more information

• How to get a visa for France in Morocco?
• How to get a visa for France in Algeria?
• How to get a visa for France in Tunisia?
• How to get a visa for France in Cameroon?
• How to get a visa for France in the Democratic Republic of Congo?
• How to get a visa for France in Madagascar?
• How to get a visa for France in Gabon?
• How to get a visa for France in Senegal?
• Marriage in France: what visa should you apply for to come to France?
• What is a tourist visa for France?
• How to get a student visa for France?
• How to get a work visa for France?

Frequently asked questions about the France visa from Ivory Coast

We are traveling as a family – can I make a group appointment for our visa application to France from Ivory Coast?

No. If you are part of a family or group traveling together, you will need to make an individual appointment for each family member or group member with the visa services.

What is the maximum waiting time to get a response after applying for a France visa?

Since the implementation of the new Community Visa Code in February 2020, the maximum processing time for a short-stay visa application (90 days maximum within a 180-day period) is now 45 days maximum (instead of 60 days).

Where should I apply for a France visa in Ivory Coast?

Visa applications for France are processed by the Consulate General of France in Abidjan. However, you will need to submit your application at an external visa center after pre-registering your application on France-Visas – the official French visa website – and after making an appointment with the visa center.