iVisa > Benin

Get your Benin visa

Find the right Benin visa for your trip. Apply online with iVisa and skip the hassle.

Your passport

Your destination

4.6/5 stars

Our Benin visa application process

How to apply for your Benin visa and Arrival Card with iVisa

Complete your online application

Answer a few questions and upload your documents, such as your passport and travel plans. Most people finish in under 10 minutes. You can save progress and return any time.

We’ll guide you through any unclear questions during the application process.

We review your application

Our visa experts thoroughly check your documents and spot errors before submission. We ensure everything aligns with Benin’s entry policies to avoid rejection.

We submit it for government processing

We’ll handle the official process and keep you updated every step of the way.

Get your Benin eVisa

We’ll email your approved document and let you know how to use it for your trip.

Woman at an airport holding a passport and boarding pass

Visa types needed for Benin

Benin eVisa
Benin Tourist Visa*
Benin Business Visa*
Benin Residence Permit*

Benin eVisa

The Benin eVisa is the most convenient way to visit the country for tourism, business, or short transit. Choose between:

30-day single entry
30-day multiple entry
90-day multiple entry

You must apply before you travel and print the visa to present at immigration. Entry by air or land is allowed.
You’ll need:
🛂 Valid passport: Valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date
🤳 A passport style photo: We’ll guide you through the process of taking a suitable photo
📧 Travel itinerary and arrival/departure dates: To show when you’ll be visiting the country
💳 Payment method: To pay the government visa and service fees

Benin Tourist Visa*

Dive into Benin's rich culture and stunning landscapes. For those not eligible for an e-visa, the tourist visa comes in two forms: a standard visa valid for 30 days and a short-stay tourist visa valid for eight days.

*We currently don’t offer these visas.

Benin Business Visa*

Tailored for professionals engaging in economic activities such as business meetings and trade agreements, not eligible for the e-Visa. Valid for 90 days, it facilitates your professional endeavors in Benin.

*We currently don’t offer these visas.

Benin Residence Permit*

Planning a longer stay? Benin offers two types of residence permits. The Short-Stay residence permit, valid for one year with the possibility of extension, is meant for work, study, or other purposes.

For those who have already spent two years with a short-stay permit, the Long-Stay residence permit opens the door to a ten-year validity, embracing you into the Benin community.

*We currently don’t offer these visas.

Benin visa policy

Benin operates a flexible visa policy with an online e-Visa platform for short-term travel. The e-Visa is available to citizens of most countries and allows for tourism, business, or transit. Applicants choose between a 30-day or 90-day validity, with single or multiple entry options.

Travelers from ECOWAS countries (e.g., Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal) are visa-exempt and may enter Benin with just a valid passport or national ID.

Nationals from a few countries must still apply through a consulate. Long-term visas such as work, student, or residence visas must also be handled by an embassy or local sponsor.

Benin also allows visa-free transit through Cotonou Airport for up to 24 hours, provided you remain in the airport and have proof of onward travel.

Important: All travelers must print their e-Visa and carry it along with their passport during travel. Border officials may deny entry without a printed copy.

Benin visa prices

Benin eVisa

From $69.99

Valid for 3 months after issued

Multiple entry

Stay up to 90 days per entry

Fast facts

iVisa approval rate:

97.5%

Main reason for denials:

Incorrect travel dates or unsupported file types

Average time it takes to apply:

10 mins

Why choose iVisa?

Applying for a visa on your own can be confusing and time-consuming. iVisa simplifies the process, reduces errors, and gives you peace of mind

Applying by yourself

Simple, easy forms

24x7 support from visa experts

Error detection to prevent rejections

World's easiest passport scan

Multiple payment methods

1.4M happy customers

24/7support

65,000+ reviews

10 years of experience

98% visa approval rate

Certified customer reviews

Travelers to Benin rated this product a 5.0 out of 5 based on 11 reviews.

5.0 out of 5

Filter by rating

5 stars

4 stars

3 stars

2 stars

1 stars

Maxton J.

May 27, 2025

"Everything was perfect I’m very happy!!!"

Elowen I.

May 5, 2025

"I really like this app it’s fast and requires minimal effort. Thank you!"

Beth R.

March 2, 2025

"Quick and hassle free I got my visa in just 15 minutes"

Sophia F.

February 18, 2025

"Simple application process"

Michael W.

January 30, 2025

"Quick and super easy!"

Marina T.

December 17, 2024

"My experience with the eVisa application, tracking process & post issuance support was outstanding efficient, proactive & prompt with responses. The level of professionalism and international standards your organization upholds is truly remarkable and something I would highly recommend to other organizations!!!!!"

Leif R.

November 14, 2024

"Fantastic experience! The service was highly customer friendly and focused on ensuring satisfaction"

Marianne D.

October 15, 2024

"I applied for a tourist visa on Sunday, and by Monday morning, it was ready! The service was incredibly fast and efficient thank you!!!"

Eva L.

September 18, 2024

"Excellent service!"

Daphne V.

September 5, 2024

"I’ve never experienced such outstanding service before. From the application process to securing the visa, everything was seamless and impressive. I highly recommended!"

Alaric J.

August 27, 2024

"The service was quick, efficient and provided a timely response to my visa application"

FAQs

Do I need a visa to enter Benin?

Yes, most travelers require a visa to enter Benin. The good news is that over 140 nationalities are eligible for the Benin e-Visa, which can be applied for entirely online, no embassy visit needed.

If you're from a member country of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), like Nigeria, Ghana, or Côte d'Ivoire, you can enter Benin without a visa for up to 90 days. For all others, the e-Visa is the most efficient and secure option, especially for short visits.

How long can I stay in Benin as a visitor?

The maximum stay allowed depends on the e-Visa type you select during your application. There are three main options:

30-day single-entry
30-day multiple-entry
90-day multiple-entry

Your stay must fall within the validity period printed on your e-Visa. For example, if you choose the 90-day multiple-entry visa, you can re-enter as many times as you want within 90 days from the visa's start date.

If you’re unclear, you can contact us on WhatsApp – we're available 24/7.

How far in advance should I apply for the Benin eVisa?

We recommend applying at least 5–7 business days before your planned trip to ensure enough time for processing and corrections if needed. While the Benin government typically processes e-Visas within 24 to 72 hours, delays may happen due to weekends, public holidays, or incomplete documents.

iVisa will review your application and notify you immediately if anything needs to be updated before submission, helping you avoid setbacks.

We’ll process your eVisa as fast as fastest processing speed – you’ll see the exact time during checkout.

How do I apply for a Benin eVisa?

You can apply for your eVisa through the government or iVisa (or download our mobile app).

For other visas, you’ll need to complete the application process on the government platform, pay the visa fee, and in some cases, schedule an interview at a Benin embassy or consulate.

Supporting documents like your passport, photo, and purpose of travel are required.

Can I extend my Benin eVisa while in the country?

Visa extensions are possible but not guaranteed. If you wish to stay longer than your approved e-Visa duration, you must apply in person at the Direction de l'Émigration et de l'Immigration in Cotonou (Benin’s main immigration office).

Bring supporting documents like your passport, current visa, proof of accommodation, and reason for the extension. It’s advisable to begin this process well before your e-Visa expires, as overstays can lead to fines or complications.

Is the Benin eVisa accepted at all points of entry?

Yes, the Benin e-Visa is valid at all international ports of entry, including:

Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport (Cotonou) Major land borders with Nigeria, Togo, and Burkina Faso

Always carry a printed copy of your approved eVisa and your passport. You may also be asked to show your return ticket, accommodation details, or vaccination certificates (especially yellow fever) at the border.

Can I use the eVisa for multiple trips to Benin?

Yes, if you select the 30-day or 90-day multiple-entry e-Visa during application. This allows you to leave and re-enter Benin within the visa's validity period.

Note that each individual stay must still comply with entry rules and may be questioned by border officers. If you only plan one trip, the single-entry visa is more economical.

What happens after I apply for my Benin eVisa?

Our team of iVisa experts will review your documents to make sure you have the best chance of being approved.

We then send it to the government for processing on your behalf.

Once approved, we’ll then email you your document.

In the meantime, download the iVisa app, so you can access your travel documents while you're on the go.

Ready to apply?

Start your visa application today and get approved quickly

A happy couple using iVisa to apply for their trip

Visas for Nearby Destinations

Download the iVisa app!

All your visas, travel documents, and updates in one place.

Application received

now

Real-time notifications on your visa status

New feature!

Document wallet

Built in document wallet for easy access anytime

Select Your Language

Select Your Currency

Get your Benin visa