France & Ivory Coast to Lift Visa Requirements for Diplomatic Passport Holders
Key Takeaways:
- France and Ivory Coast have agreed to waive visa requirements for diplomatic passport holders.
- The agreement aims to strengthen bilateral relations and simplify travel procedures.
- Family members of diplomatic passport holders are also included in the new policy.
Agreement Ratified to Ease Diplomatic Travel
The Ivorian government has taken significant steps to formalize an agreement with France that will allow diplomatic passport holders from both countries to travel visa-free. According to local media reports, the Ivorian Council of Ministers ratified the agreement, originally signed in January 2025, marking a milestone in diplomatic cooperation.
According to Schengen.News, the agreement grants reciprocal short-stay visa exemptions for French and Ivorian nationals who hold a diplomatic passport valid for at least three months. The initiative is designed to strengthen tiesbetween the two nations and facilitate official travel.
Who Benefits from the Agreement?
Once implemented, the new rules will allow diplomats and public officials from both France and Ivory Coast to enter either country without a visa, provided they hold a valid diplomatic passport.
Additionally, as stated by Ivorian Government Spokesman Amadou Coulibaly, the agreement extends beyond diplomats. Family members of diplomatic staff and agents of other public services with diplomatic passports will also benefit. The initiative is expected to streamline administrative procedures and promote smoother official exchanges.
France Leads in Schengen Visa Applications from Ivory Coast
France remains the top destination for Ivorian Schengen visa applicants. According to SchengenVisaInfo, in 2023, Ivorians submitted 71,414 Schengen visa applications, with a staggering 76% (54,283 applications) directed to French authorities. Other European countries with notable application numbers included:
- Spain: 4,591 applications
- Italy: 3,647 applications
- Belgium: 3,464 applications
Together, these four countries processed 92.3% of all Schengen visa applications filed by Ivorians last year.
Visa Approval Rates for Ivorian Applicants
While France received the highest number of applications, Italy recorded the highest approval rate, issuing positive decisions on 80.6% of Ivorian visa applications. Switzerland and Spain also had high approval rates, standing at 80.6% and 70.4%, respectively.
The new visa-free agreement between France and Ivory Coast is expected to simplify diplomatic travel and enhance bilateral cooperation, reinforcing long-standing ties between the two nations.
Sources:
- Schengen.News: https://www.schengen.news
- SchengenVisaInfo: https://www.schengenvisainfo.com
