Our quick reference guides have vital information on pay, benefits, tax and visas - everything you need to work and live in Côte d’Ivoire:
Foreign workers usually earn two to three times as much as Africans in the same job classification. Employers are required to deduct taxes on salaries. The maximum work period is 40 hours a week. By law, all employers carry worker's compensation insurance.
Everyone living in Côte d’Ivoire, which means every person owning a residence or regularly living in the country, must pay annual personal income taxes (called “impôt sur le revenu”). Personal incomes are taxable on two levels - a general tax and a specific tax based on the income group. The amount of income from sources inside and outside Côte d’Ivoire is taxable. All remuneration, earnings or benefits obtained are subject to personal income tax.
It is possible to get more information at the General Directorate of Taxes Alternate, at the Ministry of Economy & Finance (Cité Administrative, Tour E 11eme Étage Plateau Abidjan, Abidjan BP V 103).
A visa is required to work in Côte d’Ivoire and is valid for a maximum of three months. An extension is required to stay longer. To get a visa, a company letter - stating a specific mission - and a confirmation of itinerary from a travel agent must be provided. Natives from an ECOWAS member state do not need a visa to work in the country.
For more information, contact the nearest Côte d’Ivoire embassy. The Africa guide website provides a list of Côte d’Ivoire tourism offices and embassies. When you arrive, apply for a “carte de séjour” (permit to stay) from the local authorities.
It is essential to speak some French if you want to work here. Although the country was previously referred to in English as "Ivory Coast", the country has requested that it be called "Côte d'Ivoire" (the equivalent in French). Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, however, Abidjan remains the commercial and administrative centre.
Health insurance is needed to work in Côte d’Ivoire. If you are being treated, you should bring all medications and prescription drugs (in their original containers) with you, as medical facilities are limited, particularly outside Abidjan. It may be better to choose private clinics over government hospitals, as they will have modern medical equipment.
Vaccination against yellow fever, tuberculosis, cholera, hepatitis A and B, typhoid and tetanus is needed. In addition, you should take anti-malarial drugs and measures to avoid insect bites. It is advisable to drink only bottled water and to avoid ice cubes. Care should be taken in the preparation of food, and visitors should avoid small local food stalls (called maquis).
Credit cards are accepted in hotels, restaurants and some stores. Travellers' cheques in USD or euros and bank cards are accepted only in large banks in Abidjan. Credit and bank card fraud is frequent in Côte d’Ivoire.
You can check the MasterCard ATM locator page for ATM locations around Côte d’Ivoire. As there are only a few ATMs, you should have cash with you, but only what you need for the day.
Click here for a list of banks and financial institutions in Côte d’Ivoire (the list is not exhaustive and subject to change).
Renting a five-room apartment in Abidjan will cost around 1,000,000 XOF (1,500 euros) (2002), with prices changing regularly. After a five-year crisis, the real estate situation is getting better, but is not organised. Advertisements can be found in local newspapers and in real estate agencies. In Abidjan, expatriates may prefer to live in residential neighbourhoods such as Cocody, Vieux Cocody, Les Deux Plateaux and Riviera. It is advisable to draw up an inventory of fixtures before signing the contract.
The road system, although deteriorating, is relatively good. Road regulations are barely respected, however, and serious accidents are frequent. Military checkpoints are frequent. An International Driving Permit is required.
Public transportation is quite adequate in Abidjan.
Taxis are often in poor condition. Travellers should insist that the meter be turned on and should pay only the indicated price. Although the Abidjan airport meets International Air Transport Association (IATA) aviation safety standards, regional flights are not held to the same standards. Seats must be booked in advance.
The currency in Côte d’Ivoire is the African Financial Community franc (XOF).
