Need to Buy Ivory Coast Visa? Heres What You Should Know

Well, howdy folks! You wanna go to that there Ivory Coast, huh? It ain’t as easy as walkin’ down the road to Bessie’s for some fresh eggs, lemme tell ya. You gotta get yourself one of them visa thingamajigs. Don’t know why they make such a fuss, but that’s how it is.

What’s a Visa Anyways?

Basically, it’s a piece of paper, or somethin’ on your computer these days, that says you’re allowed to visit their country. Like a hall pass, but for a whole ‘nother country. Ivory Coast, they want to know who’s comin’ and goin’, I reckon. Can’t say I blame ’em, what with all the goings-on in the world these days.

Types of Visas for Ivory Coast

Now, there’s different kinds of these visas. They got visas for tourists, them folks who just wanna gawk at stuff and take pictures. And then there’s visas for business folks, the ones wearin’ suits and carryin’ briefcases. Don’t rightly know what you’re doin’, but you gotta figure out which one you need. This here article mostly talks about the tourist kind, ’cause that’s what most folks get, I hear.

• Tourist Visa: For them sightseers.
• Business Visa: For the suit-and-tie fellas.

Getting Your Ivory Coast Visa

Alright, so how do you get this here visa? Well, you got a couple of ways, it seems. The young’uns, they do it all on that there internet. They call it an “e-visa.” Sounds fancy, but it’s just fillin’ out papers on your computer, like orderin’ seeds from the catalog, but more official-like.

The E-Visa Way (for them tech-savvy folks)

If you’re gonna do it online, you gotta go to their website. I ain’t gonna tell you the address, ’cause I don’t rightly know it, and these things change faster than the weather. But your kids or grandkids, they’ll know. Just tell ’em you need an e-visa for Ivory Coast. They’ll figure it out.

Here’s the gist of it:

• You fill out the application. They’ll ask you all sorts of questions – your name, where you live, why you wanna go to Ivory Coast. Just tell ’em the truth, mostly.
• You pay the fee. Nothin’s free these days, not even breathin’ air, it seems. They’ll want their money, so be prepared to shell out some cash. How much? Well, that depends. They change their minds more often than my old rooster crows. You’ll have to look it up.
• You wait. This ain’t instant noodles, folks. It takes time. They say at least ten workin’ days, but sometimes it’s longer. So, don’t go bookin’ your plane ticket before you got that visa in hand. That’d be like plantin’ seeds before the ground thaws – a waste of time and money.
• You get approved (hopefully!). If they like what they see, they’ll send you somethin’ sayin’ you’re good to go. You print it out, or show it on your phone when you get to the airport. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy, like the young’uns say. But if you are not approved, maybe go somewhere else. Plenty of fish in the sea, as the saying goes. No need to go where you’re not wanted.

The Old-Fashioned Way (for folks like me)

Now, if you ain’t too keen on that there computer stuff, you can still do it the old-fashioned way. You gotta go to the embassy or consulate, that’s like their official office in your country. Again, you’ll have to find out where that is, ’cause I sure don’t know. Probably in one of them big cities, where all the hubbub is.

Here’s what you gotta do:

• Get yourself some passport photos. You know, them little pictures where you gotta look all serious-like. Don’t smile too much; they don’t like that.
• Fill out the paperwork. Yep, more papers. They love their papers, them government folks. Just answer the questions as best you can. If you don’t know somethin’, ask your neighbor or your kid. No shame in askin’ for help.
• Pay the fee. Same as before, they want their money. Cash, check, maybe they take them credit cards now, I don’t know. Just be prepared to pay.
• Wait some more. It takes time this way too, maybe even longer. So, be patient. Good things come to those who wait, or so they say. I’ve been waiting for a decent rain for a month, so sometimes waiting is all you can do.
• Pick up your visa. If they approve you, you go back and get your visa stamped in your passport. Then you’re all set to go.

Important Things to Remember

Now, a few things you gotta keep in mind. First off, that visa ain’t good forever. It’s got an expiration date, like milk in the fridge. Usually, it’s good for three months after they give it to you. And once you get to Ivory Coast, you can only stay for 30 days, or so I heard. Don’t go overstayin’ your welcome, or you might get in trouble.

And make sure your passport is valid. That’s that little book that says who you are and where you’re from. It needs to be good for at least six months after you plan on leavin’ Ivory Coast. Otherwise, they might not even let you on the plane.

Final Thoughts

So, there you have it. That’s about all I know about gettin’ a visa for Ivory Coast. It ain’t rocket science, but it ain’t exactly simple neither. Just take it one step at a time, do your homework, and you’ll be fine. And if you get confused, ask somebody. There’s always someone who knows more than you do, especially in them big cities with all the fancy folks. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go check on my chickens. Those hens are always gettin’ into somethin’. Safe travels, and don’t forget to send a postcard!

And another thing, make sure you plan this trip way before you want to go. This stuff takes time, remember. Don’t be callin’ me the day before your flight sayin’ you don’t have your visa, cause there ain’t nothin’ I can do for ya then! You gotta be prepared. That’s the key to life, see. Be prepared, like them boy scouts. Or girl scouts. Whoever they are. Just be prepared. And don’t cause any trouble over there. Be polite, and don’t go around breakin’ things, and you should be alright. That’s just good common sense, if you ask me.