Entry and residence

Visa

• A visa is compulsory. Apply online (e-visa, sent by email as a barcode) at least 7 days before arrival, or at a Beninese consulate for an extra fee. Beware of fake websites: use only the official Benin government website.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Benin travel advice: entry requirementsGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Benin

• Visas for Nigeria, Ghana and Togo cannot be obtained in Benin: apply before you travel.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  GOV.UK (FCDO), Benin travel advice: entry requirements
• Passport: United States

  A visa is required, as an e-Visa applied for online between 7 and 90 days before departure; no visa is issued at the border. The e-Visa is valid for 30 or 90 days; U.S. citizens can have it extended to 36 months at no cost at an Embassy of Benin.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  U.S. Department of State, Benin International Travel Information
• Passport: Germany

  An e-Visa is required, applied for at least seven days before departure with the flight ticket and a yellow fever vaccination card; no visa is issued at the border. Request extensions before expiry at the Immigration Directorate in Cotonou, otherwise a fine of 25,000 XOF per week applies.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  Auswärtiges Amt, Benin: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise
• Passport: Spain

  A visa is required, issued only online (e-Visa). Passport valid for at least 6 months and a yellow fever vaccination card.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (España), Recomendaciones de viaje: Benín
• Passports of 14 countries (see the list)

  Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo

  Citizens of ECOWAS states enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days, through an official border post, with a valid travel document and an international vaccination certificate; beyond that, an extension must be requested from the authorities. Since Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew (29 January 2025), ECOWAS has maintained this right for their citizens until further notice. Each state keeps the right to refuse entry to anyone inadmissible under its law.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  CEDEAO, Protocole A/P.1/5/79 sur la libre circulation des personnes, le droit de résidence et d'établissement (article 3)Commission de la CEDEAO, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger's withdrawal from ECOWAS is now a reality
• Passport: China

  According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa-free entry with an ordinary Chinese passport (November 2023 list: check before departure).

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26Medium confidence

  Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Service consulaire: entry facilities for holders of an ordinary Chinese passport (list of November 2023)

Passport and documents

• A passport valid at least 6 months after your return date, and a return ticket.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, entry and residenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: Benin

• Leave your documents somewhere safe and carry photocopies.

  Practical advice·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, safety

Vaccination required at entry

• A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, entry and residenceGOV.UK (FCDO), Benin travel advice: entry requirementsCDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: Benin

Customs and currency

• Every imported item must be declared and taxed; customs clearance must go through an approved agent. Medicines in reasonable quantities for personal use: no formalities.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, entry and residence

• Dogs and cats: rabies vaccine more than one month and less than one year old. Exporting protected animals or their parts (ivory, pangolin scales, skins) is strictly punished.

  Verified fact·Verified on 10/2/26High confidence

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, entry and residence

• Consular section of the Embassy of France in Cotonou

  Passport: France

  Consular services for French nationals. Honorary vice-consul in Parakou: +229 97 72 94 00.

  Rue 651A, BP 605, Cotonou+33 3 73 88 01 68

  France Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, entry and residenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: Benin, useful contacts· Oct 2, 2026