Benin Visa Explained: Types, Online Application, and Entry Rules

(BENIN) Benin’s entry rules in 2026 are simple but strict: most travelers must get an eVisa before departure, carry a passport valid for at least six months after arrival, and show proof of yellow fever vaccination at both the application stage and the border. If you plan your documents early, the online process is usually fast, and you’ll arrive in Cotonou ready to enter without last-minute surprises.

Travelers feel the change most at the airport and land borders because Benin does not offer visa-on-arrival. That makes timing and document prep the real make-or-break issues, especially for families, business visitors, and anyone crossing the region by road.

The quick reality check: who needs an eVisa, and who doesn’t

Most nationalities need a visa to enter Benin, and the standard route is the government’s online platform at the official Benin eVisa portal. ECOWAS citizens are generally visa-free under regional free-movement rules, and a limited set of other nationalities get short visa-free stays that range from 14 to 90 days, depending on passport.

If you hold a passport from the United States 🇺🇸, the EU, or the UK, expect to apply online for a short-stay or multiple-entry eVisa and receive an approval email that you present on arrival.

Two entry rules catch people off guard every year:

• Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your arrival date and have one blank page for stamps.
• Yellow fever vaccination proof is mandatory, and the shot takes 10 days to become effective, so a last-week appointment often fails the timeline.

Picking the right Benin eVisa: tourist, business, or transit

Benin’s eVisa options cover stays of up to 90 days and are meant for short visits rather than long-term relocation. The main choices are:

• Tourist eVisa: commonly used for leisure, family visits, and cultural travel. Offered as single-entry 30 days or multiple-entry 30/90 days.
• Business eVisa: used for meetings, conferences, and commercial visits, with multiple-entry 30 or 90 days options and added employer or host documentation.
• Transit eVisa: for short stopovers while traveling onward.

Validity generally starts on arrival, which helps travelers who book flights first and fine-tune their itinerary later. Extensions can be requested inside Benin before the visa expires, but overstays are treated seriously and can lead to fines and removal.

VisaVerge.com reports that the biggest cause of refusal in Benin eVisa cases is not eligibility, but mismatched personal details across uploads and the application form, especially names and passport numbers.

Visa types at a glance

The full eVisa journey, step by step (with realistic timing)

1. Step 1 (10 minutes): Apply on the official portal and match your passport exactly.
   Start at the official Benin eVisa portal and choose the visa type that fits your real purpose. Enter names, passport number, and dates exactly as printed, including spacing and order. One wrong digit can derail the file.

2. Step 2 (30–60 minutes): Prepare the core document set before you upload.
   Most travelers will need digital copies of:

– passport biodata page
– a recent photo
– proof of onward or return travel
– accommodation proof such as a hotel booking
– financial proof showing you can cover the trip
Add your yellow fever certificate as a scanned page or clear photo.

1. Step 3 (5 minutes): Pay online and treat the fee as non-refundable.
   Fees vary by visa type and entry pattern and are commonly $50–$150 USD, paid by card. Because payment is tied to submission, double-check spellings and dates before clicking through.

2. Step 4 (24–48 hours, sometimes longer): Wait for the decision email and print the approval.
   Processing is often 24–48 hours, but peak travel periods can slow decisions by several days. Apply at least 10 business days before travel to leave room for holidays and document fixes.

3. Step 5 (arrival day): Present the eVisa, passport, and yellow fever proof at the border.
   Carry a printed copy of the approved eVisa and keep a digital backup in your email. At Cotonou airport or approved entry points, officials typically check your passport validity, match your identity to the eVisa, and ask for your yellow fever card.

What Beninese authorities check at entry, and why it matters

Benin’s entry checks focus on consistency and public health compliance. Officials want to see that the purpose of travel matches the visa type, that your passport is valid for the required period, and that you’re not arriving without the documents you said you had.

Expect questions such as where you will stay, how long you plan to remain, and how you will fund the trip. A clear hotel booking and a return or onward ticket answer those quickly, which reduces stress after a long flight.

Health checks remain centered on yellow fever rather than COVID-19. COVID-19 vaccination proof and PCR tests are no longer required under the updated guidance reflected in the 2026 travel rules described in the public-facing eVisa instructions.

Important: Health compliance is mainly about yellow fever. Ensure your vaccination is administered at least 10 days before travel so it is considered effective at entry.

Avoiding the common traps that delay approvals

The most reliable way to prevent delays is to make your file boring. Immigration systems move fastest when every element matches and every upload is readable.

Focus on these practical points:

• Use the exact passport spelling, including middle names and order.
• Upload sharp scans, not cropped screenshots that cut off numbers.
• Make sure your yellow fever certificate shows your name clearly.
• Keep your itinerary believable; vague plans invite questions.
• If you expect multiple border crossings in the region, choose multiple-entry 90 days rather than trying to “stretch” a single-entry visa.

Regional travelers should also plan other visas before leaving home. The Benin travel guidance warns that non-residents often cannot obtain Nigeria or Ghana visas while in Benin, which can strand overland travelers mid-route.

For Benin nationals: U.S. travel restrictions starting January 1, 2026

A separate issue affects Benin citizens traveling to the United States 🇺🇸. A Presidential Proclamation dated December 16, 2025 introduces new limits effective January 1, 2026, including an entry suspension for immigrants and for nonimmigrants in B-1/B-2, F, M, and J categories if they are outside the U.S. without a valid visa by that date. Other visa categories face reduced validity and extra vetting.

For official updates and any waiver criteria, the safest reference point is the U.S. State Department’s public guidance at the U.S. visa information hub. Travelers with urgent family or work needs should read those updates closely before booking flights that rely on U.S. transit.

This U.S. measure does not change Benin’s inbound rules, but it complicates onward travel plans, return trips, and layovers for Benin passport holders who previously routed through U.S. airports.

A calm checklist for the week before departure

In the final week, focus on what you will physically present at the border:

• Passport (valid for six months from arrival; at least one blank page)
• Printed eVisa approval and digital backup in email
• Yellow fever certificate (administered at least 10 days before travel)
• Proof of onward/return travel and accommodation booking
• Offline access to your approval email on your phone

Final reminder: Apply at least 10 business days before travel, keep digital and printed copies of everything, and ensure names and passport numbers match exactly across all documents to avoid delays.