El Salvador E-Visa for Ivory Coast Citizens: 2026 Travel Requirements

For citizens of Côte d'Ivoire planning a journey to El Salvador—whether to experience the vibrant "Surf City" coastline or the lush coffee plantations of the interior—obtaining an official electronic travel permit is a mandatory requirement. As El Salvador streamlines its 2026 entry protocols, Ivorian passport holders can now manage their visa process online, ensuring a seamless departure from the West African coast to Central America.

Visa Policy and Exemptions for Ivorian Travelers

Under current Salvadoran immigration laws, Côte d'Ivoire is classified as a country whose citizens require a visa for entry. However, a significant travel shortcut exists: if you possess a valid, multiple-entry visa from the United States, Canada, or any Schengen member state, you may be exempt from the Salvadoran e-visa requirement. If you do not hold one of these third-party visas, you must secure your official electronic permit before arriving at Port Bouët Airport (ABJ) in Abidjan.

Document Preparation and Long-Haul Logistics

Traveling from Abidjan to San Salvador (SAL) is a significant transcontinental journey, often exceeding 20 hours of travel time. To ensure your application is processed without delay, all digital documents must be high-resolution and meet official standards.

The foundation of your request is the Ivory Coast specific document checklist, which includes your passport's bio-page and a professional digital photograph. Logistically, there are no direct flights connecting the two nations. Most travelers from Côte d'Ivoire utilize routes through Casablanca (CMN) with Royal Air Maroc, Madrid (MAD), or Istanbul (IST).

Because many of these routes involve layovers in Europe or North America, we strongly recommend checking the transit visa requirements for connecting flights to ensure you have the necessary permits for your stopover cities. A confirmed flight itinerary is mandatory for the Salvadoran authorities to verify your arrival and departure dates.

Currency and Financial Information

Planning your finances is crucial when traveling between such distinct regions. The West African CFA Franc (XOF) is not accepted or exchangeable in El Salvador. The Salvadoran economy operates on a dual-currency system where the United States Dollar (USD) and Bitcoin are both recognized as legal tender.

For your daily expenses in El Salvador, we recommend carrying USD in cash, particularly in small denominations ($1, $5, and $10). While credit cards are accepted in major urban hotels in San Salvador, cash is the most practical way to pay for transportation to the volcanic parks or for traditional dining at local "comedores."

Final Approval and Arrival Procedures

The standard processing fee for the e-visa for Ivory Coast citizens is $100, and most applications are finalized within 5 to 9 business days. Once your approval is delivered via email, you must print a physical copy of the document. Upon arrival at the San Oscar Arnulfo Romero International Airport, you will present this paper copy to the immigration officials to receive your official entry stamp, allowing you to stay for a period of up to 90 days.