To submit a visa application, applicants must independently book an appointment through the official portal of VFS Global Côte d’Ivoire – Italy (https://visa.vfsglobal.com/civ/fr/ita). Use of this portal is mandatory for all applicants, pursuant to Recital 6 of Regulation (EU) 2019/1155.
The only exception concerns family members of European Union citizens, who, pursuant to Article 5(2) of Directive 2004/38/EC and Legislative Decree 30/2007, are entitled to priority and free processing of their visa applications. They may send an email to visti.abidjan@esteri.it, indicating the full personal details of the person for whom the visa is requested, as well as the contact information (telephone number and email address) of the person responsible for the application, and attaching a copy of the identity document of the Italian or EU family member with whom reunification is sought. The Visa Office of the Embassy receives on the following days:
- SUBMISSION OF VISA APPLICATION
- Monday: 09:00 – 12:00
- Wednesday: 14:00 – 16:00
- Friday: 09:00 – 12:00
- PASSPORT COLLECTION
- Tuesday: 14:00 – 16:00
- Thursday: 14:00 – 16:00
Further exemptions may be granted only in exceptional cases, following a case‑by‑case assessment, for justified and documented needs of a necessary and urgent nature.
As of 17 November 2025, a waiting‑list function is available, allowing users to register when no appointment slots are available and to be automatically notified as soon as an appointment becomes free.
The reservation of an appointment is always FREE OF CHARGE. Users are strongly encouraged to report any attempt to sell, broker, or request payment for appointments, and not to make any payment, as such practices may constitute fraud.
Once the appointment has been booked, the application must be submitted in person at the premises of VFS Global – Côte d’Ivoire, located at Rue des Carrossiers, Treichville zone 3, Centre commercial HLM, ground floor, Abidjan (Abidjan Visa Application Centre). VFS Centre opening hours are:
- SUBMISSION OF VISA APPLICATION
- Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 13:00
- PASSPORT COLLECTION
- Monday to Friday: 14:00 – 17:00
Applications must be submitted in person to allow for proper identification of the applicant and the collection of fingerprints. Applications may be submitted through a representative – duly authorised by a written power of attorney – only for applicants who have already obtained a Schengen visa within the previous 59 months. This does not exclude that the applicant may still be required to appear in person for identification purposes.
VFS Global – Côte d’Ivoire is responsible solely for receiving and returning documentation to applicants. It has no role in the examination or decision‑making process of visa applications.
PLEASE NOTE: Sending the application form and/or supporting documents by email does not constitute submission of a visa application.
ATTENTION: The Embassy of Italy in Abidjan does not provide any form of consultancy or preliminary assessment of supporting documents for visa applications. Applicants are therefore invited to ensure that they have all necessary supporting documentation before submitting their application.
ATTENTION: Applicants are advised to provide valid and regularly monitored telephone numbers and/or email addresses in their visa application, so that they can be contacted if necessary and receive timely information on the outcome of their application.