Overall Rank: #170 out of 199 countries
Ivory Coast ranks #170 out of 199 countries and territories in the Globevisa Passport Ranking, placing it in the low-ranking category. Across the five core dimensions — Mobility (#147), Governance (#151), Security (#167), Education (#159), and Quality of Life (#166) — Ivory Coast performs strongest in mobility (#147), followed by governance (#151). Its weakest dimension is security (#167).
Mobility: #147 (score 27/100), Governance: #151 (score 25/100), Security: #167 (score 17/100), Education: #159 (score 21/100), Quality of Life: #166 (score 17/100)
Ivory Coast ranks #170 globally in the 2026 Globevisa Passport Ranking, which evaluates 199 countries and territories worldwide. Unlike traditional passport indices that focus solely on visa-free destination counts, the Globevisa Passport Ranking provides a comprehensive structural assessment across five core dimensions: Mobility, Governance, Security, Education, and Quality of Life. Ivory Coast shows a relatively balanced profile across all dimensions. However, Mobility (#147) and Governance (#151) and Education (#159) and Quality of Life (#166) and Security (#167) represent structural areas of concern.
Country Overview: Ivory Coast is a resource-rich West African emerging market with a traditional economy and highly restricted immigration pathways for foreign nationals. / Limited mobility passport with restricted immigration pathways (Not currently recommended).
Identity Attributes: Not Recommended
Global Taxation: Yes (Worldwide Taxation)
Cost of Living: Medium
Culture & Adaptation: French-dominant environment with significant English language barriers; High hospitality and vibrant local culture; Most suitable for Francophone professionals and those familiar with West African social norms
Employment & Development: Rapidly expanding economy centered on agribusiness, energy, and extractives; growing demand for specialized professionals in infrastructure and digital sectors; French language proficiency and a large informal labor market as significant entry barriers.
Holding an Ivory Coast passport does not currently provide visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, or the United States, and formal visa applications are generally required for these regions. Internationally, the passport is considered to have limited mobility, with its ranking reflecting a need for prior authorization for most major global economies. While the risk of losing major visa-free agreements is low due to the current lack of such privileges, the document remains subject to rigorous vetting and high refusal rates in certain jurisdictions due to security and migration concerns. Travelers should expect thorough documentation requirements and significant processing times when applying for travel to major Western destinations.
The current immigration landscape in Ivory Coast is considered relatively stable but evolving, supported by a decade of steady economic growth and established legal frameworks governing residency and naturalization. While the country has a history of political shifts that previously impacted migration flows, recent policy efforts have focused on modernizing border management and strengthening international security cooperation. Future applicants may face increasing scrutiny as the government works to address strategic deficiencies in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing regimes to meet international compliance standards. Consequently, while pathways remain open, regulatory updates or heightened due diligence requirements could occur to align with evolving global transparency norms.
Côte d'Ivoire has maintained steady political stability and significant economic growth in recent years, though the socio-political landscape remains periodically fragile due to historical tensions. Safety conditions vary significantly by region, with major urban centers like Abidjan experiencing common petty and violent crime, while northern border areas near Mali and Burkina Faso face elevated risks related to terrorism and regional instability. Institutional security is upheld by the national police and gendarmerie, but enforcement capacity and resources can be inconsistent, particularly in rural or peripheral districts. Residents are encouraged to exercise heightened vigilance, utilize private security measures in residential areas, and monitor local developments to ensure personal and property safety.