Biometric temporary residence cards introduced

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Authorities in Cote d’Ivoire have said that foreign nationals (excluding ECOWAS nationals) holding temporary resident cards are able to replace their current cards with new biometric cards starting today.

What does the change mean? To apply for the new biometric temporary resident card, foreign nationals must personally appear at the Office Nationale d’Identification to have their fingerprints and facial image taken.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: Temporary resident cards (Titre Provisoire de Séjour).
• Who is affected: Non-ECOWAS national temporary resident card holders and their employers.
• Business impact: Companies should make sure all foreign nationals with temporary resident cards have taken the required steps to obtain a biometric temporary resident card.

Background: Following a recent government decision to roll out the introduction of biometric temporary resident cards to all new foreign national applicants, the Office Nationale d’Identification temporarily stopped accepting new applications for temporary resident cards as of Aug. 1. With the official start of the issuance of the new biometric temporary resident card today, foreign workers currently holding non-biometric work cards should also now take steps to substitute the new cards for their old ones. Temporary resident card holders must complete this process by visiting the Office Nationale d’Identification’s Resident Card Center at Cocody-II Plateaux les Vallons in Abidjan to have their biometrics taken and pay a fee of 300,000 CFA francs (about US$540). The fee for French nationals is 150,000 CFA francs. It is not clear yet what the penalties will be for employers and/or employees who fail to comply.

BAL Analysis: Foreign workers should take steps to obtain a new biometric temporary resident card. Those worried that their companies will be out of compliance may wish to contact BAL.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Cote d’Ivoire. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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