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Pathway

Côte d’Ivoire Business Residence

Ivory Coast Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you will actively run a business in Côte d’Ivoire, you can apply for residence using the trader category. You need to register the business and meet the requirements for your own role. The business approvals and your residence card are separate parts of the process.

Activity
An active local trading business
Business records
Commercial registration and evidence of tax compliance
Your role
Obtain any required work or professional permission

Summary

Côte d’Ivoire's trader category links residence to an active, properly registered business. ONECI, the national identity office, asks for commercial-register records and evidence that the business meets its tax obligations. The applicant must separately obtain any approval needed for their sector or personal work.

The resident-card process also involves online registration, sponsorship and local-address documents. Passive share ownership or a property purchase does not replace these requirements. Business approval and immigration permission are distinct decisions.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Register the trading activity and obtain any required permission for the sector or your work. ONECI, the national identity office, asks for your commercial-register record and evidence that the business meets its tax obligations.

You also need the online registration completed before your appointment, sponsorship forms, a local residence certificate, identity and lawful-entry records, and the current fee. Confirm the complete checklist with the office handling your application.

Applying to live in Côte d’Ivoire through a business
  1. Confirm and register the business activity Check foreign-ownership rules and permission for your own role.
  2. Prepare the business and residence records Gather registration, tax, sponsorship, address, and personal documents.
  3. Complete ONECI registration and the residence application Follow the approved activity and renewal conditions.

The company paperwork does not replace your own residence and work approvals.

What This Route Allows

If approved, you can live in Côte d’Ivoire for the business activity and period accepted by the authorities. Keep any separate work or professional approval valid alongside the residence card.

What This Route Is Not

Registering a company, holding shares without a qualifying active role, or buying property alone does not grant residence. This route does not grant citizenship or promise permanent residence.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that foreign ownership and your proposed activity and role are allowed.
  2. Complete the business registration and required work or professional approvals.
  3. Gather business, tax, sponsorship, address, identity, and entry records and complete ONECI’s online registration.
  4. Submit the residence application and keep the supporting records current for renewal.

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Sources