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IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR STUDENTS AND OTHER NONIMMIGRANT VISA APPLICANTS
U.S. Embassy Abidjan is committed to transparently and regularly sharing the status of visa operations. We are currently offering routine non-immigrant visa services as resources and local conditions allow. Students should schedule their appointment as soon as possible upon receiving an I-20. Student visas for qualified applicants can be issued as early as 120 days in advance of the start of the program. Please visit our website at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ci to start a visa application.
In case of emergency, visit our website and read the instructions on how to submit an expedited visa appointment: https://ustraveldocs.com/ci/ci-niv-expeditedappointment.asp.
INTERVIEW WAIVER
Nonimmigrant visa applicants who meet certain criteria may be eligible for interview waiver. Please visit our appointment website at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/ci/ to determine your eligibility.
MRV FEE
All nonimmigrant visa application fee (also known as the MRV fee) payments made on or after October 1, 2022, are valid for 365 days from the date a receipt is issued for payment of the MRV fee. Applicants must schedule an interview appointment or submit an interview waiver application during this 365-day period. Please note applicants must only schedule their interview or submit their waiver application within the 365-day period. There is no requirement the interview must occur during the 365-day period. All receipts for payment of MRV fees issued before October 1, 2022, were extended until September 30, 2023, and remain valid until this date. If a nonimmigrant visa appointment is cancelled/re-scheduled more than 3 times, a new MRV fee payment is required.
Visa Appointment Wait Times
Advance travel planning and early visa application are important. If you reside in Côte d’Ivoire and plan to apply for a nonimmigrant visa to come to the United States as a temporary visitor, please review the current wait time in Abidjan at this site. The wait times for nonresidents is below:
| Nonimmigrant Visa Type | Appointment Wait Time |
|---|---|
| Interview Required Visitors (B1/B2) | 234 Calendar Days |
| Interview Required Students/Exchange Visitors (F, M, J) | 78 Calendar Days |
| Interview Required Petition-Based Temporary Workers (H, L, O, P, Q) | 7 Calendar Days |
| Interview Required Crew and Transit (C, D, C1/D) | 16 Calendar Days |
U.S. Embassy Abidjan has resumed routine immigrant visa services.
We acknowledge the stress and hardships visa applicants have borne due to reduced operating capacity as a result of COVID and the necessary measures taken to protect health and safety or to comply with local requirements, as well as COVID-related limitations on their travel or visa issuance. We also recognize the importance of each visa category. However, during the pandemic, U.S. Embassies worldwide have been forced to make difficult decisions regarding how our consular sections should prioritize visa applications as they operate at limited capacity and work through a backlog of visa cases. We thank all past, current, and future visa applicants for their continued patience and understanding.
A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship or nationality.
Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa section of this website is all about U.S. visas for foreign citizens to travel to the United States. If you cannot find what you are looking for here, please visit Travel.State.gov for additional information.
Note: U.S. citizens do not need a U.S. visa for travel to the United States, but when planning travel abroad a U.S. citizen may need a visa issued by the embassy or consulate of the country they wish to visit.
For nonimmigrant visas, you can go directly to the online application for the DS-160; or for immigrant visas, directly to the USCIS site for the relevant forms. If you are unsure, please use the Visa Wizard below to help you determine your visa type.
Treaty Trader & Investor Visas
Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation.
Rights and Protections for Temporary Workers
The pamphlet linked below informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories.
Rights and Protections for Immigrant Visa Applicants
The pamphlet informs applicants applying for K-1 visas, K-3, IR-1/CR-1 immigrant visas, and F2A immigrant visas of their legal rights relating to domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse.
Medical Exam Procedure & Costs
Only the panel physician agreed by the U.S. Embassy is authorized to provide medical examinations for immigration purposes.
Information for Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)
If you are a Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR), special travel considerations apply that you should be aware of.
Tips for Online Document Submission
View tips for Uploading supporting documentation to CEAC.
All entrants to the Consular Section at the U.S. Embassy in Abidjan are strongly encouraged to wear a mask that covers the nose and mouth while inside the building. Individuals who are exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19 or may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19 may not enter U.S. Embassy grounds.
Mobile phones and other electronic devices are not permitted on U.S. Embassy grounds, including the Consular Section.
Starting October 1, 2021, in accordance with a new U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) policy, immigrant visa, and non-immigrant visa applicants recommended for a medical exam will be required to obtain full COVID-19 vaccination. Some waivers may be available in countries where a COVID-19 vaccine is not routinely available or if the vaccine is not age appropriate. The Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines are available in Côte d’Ivoire. Unlike other required vaccinations, applicants must complete the entire COVID-19 vaccine series for the medical examination to be considered complete.
This requirement does not apply to non-immigrant visa classifications such as tourist or student visas.
For more information, please visit Diseases and Vaccines Included | Immigrant and Refugee Health | CDC
Official Visit the USA Website
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Browse 180 pages packed with beautiful photography, detailed location descriptions and real travel stories.
No matter your destination or travel style, create a personalized, day-by-day itinerary that’s just right for you.
Watch our videos to learn about the diverse destinations and exciting travel experiences, all within your reach.
As your official guide, we’ll show you a diverse range of unique experiences that are all within your reach.
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Outside of Côte d'Ivoire: (+225) 27 22 49 4000
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