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Visa requirements · updated Aug 2026

Do Ivory Coast citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?

Visa required

Ivory Coast citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.

VISAXSAug 2026
Visa required
Ivory Coast → Bulgaria
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Everything for your trip to Bulgaria

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Ivory Coast vs Bulgaria: passport comparison

Ivory Coast

28

visa-free countries

Global rank: #150 · mobility 81.2

Bulgaria

118

visa-free countries

Global rank: #35 · mobility 167
13

countries both Ivory Coast and Bulgaria can enter visa-free together

Ivory Coast + Bulgaria: passport compatibility

29%

of the world — where both passports have the same visa access

Where Ivory Coast and Bulgaria travel together — by entry type:

13 both visa-free
15 both visa on arrival
19 both e-visa / eTA
11 both need a visa
139 access differs

Where Ivory Coast and Bulgaria can travel visa-free together

Travelling as a pair with two different passports? Here is the full list of countries where BOTH of you can enter without a prior visa — plus where your access differs.

Both visa-free (13)

Sort by max stay or the destination's passport strength (tap a header), and filter by region.

Where to apply: Bulgaria has no mission in Ivory Coast

Guides tell you a visa is required but never warn that there is nowhere to file it — the mission simply does not exist in your country. We picked the nearest countries that do accept applications and measured the distance.

1
Nigeria 1,574 km
Applications accepted in: Abuja
2
Algeria 2,401 km
Applications accepted in: Algiers
3
Morocco 2,701 km
Applications accepted in: Rabat

Distances are measured between country centroids — a rough guide, not a route. Before you travel, confirm with the chosen consulate that it accepts applicants resident elsewhere: many operate a consular district, and out-of-district applications are not always accepted, often with a longer queue.

Your odds of getting the visa: Ivory Coast → Bulgaria

Visa guides tell you whether a visa is required. This block answers the second question — will you get it. Figures come from the European Commission's official 2025 statistics, broken down per country pair.

31,7%
of Schengen visa applications refused in Ivory Coast
+17,2 pp above the Schengen average (14.5%) — refused more often than average
-1.2 pp year-over-year: 2024 was 32.9%, now 31.7%
81,886applications filed
56,502visas issued
25,969refusals
#28strictest of 118 countries

The Commission counts applications by where they were filed — at consulates located in Ivory Coast — rather than by the applicant's nationality. For most countries these nearly coincide, but applications filed there by other nationals are included too. 2025 data. Source: European Commission, DG HOME

How the entry rule changed: Ivory Coast → Bulgaria

We keep our own archive of visa-rule snapshots and diff them against each other. Here is what changed over the observed period.

The Ivory Coast → Bulgaria rule itself held steady over the observed period. The context around it did move:

1rule changes for the Ivory Coast passport, 1 of them easing
July 2024 — June 2026our archive observation window

Comparison is built from our own dataset snapshots; the date marks when we recorded the change, not the official decision date. See all changes →

Bulgaria: good to know

Sofia

Capital

Bulgarian Lev (BGN)

Currency

Eastern European Time (UTC+2)

Time zone

+359

Calling code

Where else Ivory Coast goes visa-free

Check another route

Documents you'll usually need for Bulgaria

The usual basics for the trip. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy or consulate.

Valid passport

Valid at least 6 more months

Return / onward ticket

Proof you will leave the country

Proof of funds

Enough money for your stay

Accommodation

Hotel booking or an invitation

Travel insurance

Recommended, sometimes required

Visa

Obtained at the embassy in advance

Frequently asked

Do Ivory Coast citizens need a visa for Bulgaria?
Ivory Coast citizens need a visa to enter Bulgaria. Apply in advance at an embassy or visa centre.
Which passport is stronger — Ivory Coast or Bulgaria?
The Bulgaria passport is stronger: 118 visa-free countries versus 28. Global rank: Ivory Coast #150, Bulgaria #35.
Where can Ivory Coast and Bulgaria citizens travel together visa-free?
Both passports get visa-free access to 13 of the same countries.
What documents do I need for Bulgaria?
Usually: a valid passport (6+ months), a return ticket, proof of funds and accommodation. Plus a visa obtained from the embassy in advance. Always confirm exact requirements with the embassy.
Can visa requirements change between Ivory Coast and Bulgaria?
Yes, visa rules change periodically. This data is current as of Aug 2026 — always confirm with the embassy before you travel.

Ivory Coast passport ranking

Where else the Ivory Coast passport can take you and how it ranks worldwide.

View the passport