Essential Visa Information for Visiting Benin
Visas are an essential part of travel – the physical gatekeepers of entry or exit into a country – and citizens of many countries outside Africa will need a visa to visit Benin.
Currently, citizens of 55 countries can enter Benin visa-free, but most of these countries are in Africa. Travelers on this list are granted entry into the country for 90 days as part of reciprocal visa exemption agreements with other countries.
If you’re not a national of a country in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) or another African nation, you will most likely need to apply for a visa in order to enter Benin. However, tourists from Israel, Haiti and some East and Southeast Asian countries are permitted short visa-free stays in Benin, ranging from 14 days to 90 days, depending on their nationality.
All other foreigners require a transit, tourist, or business visa to visit Benin. It is advisable to apply early – roughly one to two months in advance. Currently, no nationalities are banned from obtaining a visa to visit Benin. Therefore, if you plan to visit Benin alongside other countries in Africa, it is crucial to secure your visas ahead of time or confirm your eligibility for a visa on arrival for your destinations.
Tourist Visas for Benin
Tourist visas for Benin include 30-day single-entry visas, 30-day multiple-entry visas, and 90-day multiple-entry visas. For short visits, a 30-day multiple-entry visa is recommended in case you decide to explore neighboring countries such as Nigeria, Ghana, or Togo.
The easiest way to obtain a visa is through the Benin e-visa website, accessible to citizens of 140 countries, including most nations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. You can acquire an e-visa for transit, tourism, and business purposes; further guidance is available on the e-visa site.
Applying online eliminates the hassle of queuing at a Beninese embassy or consulate in person. However, if you have questions that are not addressed by the e-visa website, consider reaching out to the Beninese embassy responsible for your country of residence.
Other Types of Visas for Benin
For those wishing to visit Benin for longer than 90 days or needing a work visa, student visa, or resident visa, an application must be made through the nearest Beninese diplomatic mission (or the diplomatic mission responsible for your home country).
Visa Costs for Benin
The cost of a visa will vary based on your nationality and the region from which you are applying. As a guide, fees are roughly US$60 for a 30-day single-entry visa, around US$85 for a 30-day multiple-entry visa, and approximately US$110 for a 90-day multiple-entry visa.
To apply for a visa, ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your application date. If planning to visit Togo, your passport should have at least one year of remaining validity. A yellow fever certificate and a minimum of two blank pages in your passport are required (this applies to all travelers entering African countries). Passport photos are necessary for in-person applications.
Provide details of both your arrival and departure flights (the arrival date provided will be the visa’s start date) and the address of the hotel where you will spend your first night. For more information about visas for Benin, refer to the guidance on the official government e-visa website.
Yellow Fever Certificate Requirement
All visitors traveling to Benin must present a yellow fever certificate to prove they have been vaccinated against the disease. This proof of vaccination must be submitted during the visa application process. If you require a vaccine, ensure you get vaccinated well in advance – the vaccine takes at least 10 days to become effective. Vaccination against yellow fever is also mandatory for many other African countries and certain regions in Asia.
