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Benin · Entry rules

Who needs a visa for Benin?

Entry rules for Benin by nationality, for short tourist or business visits, from Gouvernement de la République du Bénin, e-Visa portal, checked .

In brief

Citizens of 67 countries and territories can visit Benin without a visa, most for up to 90 days. Everyone else, 131 nationalities, applies online for an eVisa or ETA.

Visa-free
67
On arrival
0
eVisa or ETA
131
Visa required
0

About 6.4 bn people (79% of the world's other nationalities by population) need a visa arranged before they travel to Benin: a visa, an eVisa or a visa only with another permit.

Checked 2 Nov 2026Source: Gouvernement de la République du Bénin, e-Visa portalReport a change

Most commonIndiaUnited StatesHong KongPakistanVietnamSaudi ArabiaAll passports

Benin entry rules at a glance

GroupStayNationalitiesExamplesSource
Visa-free3 months (90 days)63Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, DR CongoGouvernement de la République du Bénin
Visa-free1 month (30 days)2Philippines, MalaysiaMinistère des Affaires étrangères du Bénin
Visa-free14 days2Hong Kong, SingaporeMinistère des Affaires étrangères du Bénin
eVisaNot stated131India, China, United States, IndonesiaGouvernement de la République du Bénin, e-Visa portal

Visa-free for 3 months (90 days): Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and 60 more

63 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 3 months (90 days).

Source: Gouvernement de la République du Bénin (list by the Ministère des Affaires étrangères, September 2020), checked Tous les ressortissants des 53 Pays Africains peuvent entrer au Bénin et circuler librement pendant une période de 03 mois soit 90 jours.In English: All nationals of the 53 African countries may enter Benin and move freely for a period of 3 months, i.e. 90 days.

Source: Ministère des Affaires étrangères du Bénin, checked Accord portant exemption réciproque de visa pour les détenteurs de passeports diplomatique, officiel, de service et ordinaire entre Belize et la République du Bénin, signé à New-York, le 24 septembre 2024In English: Agreement on reciprocal visa exemption for holders of diplomatic, official, service and ordinary passports between Belize and the Republic of Benin, signed in New York on 24 September 2024 (one entry of the MFA table; each listed country has its own entry: 3 mois (90 jours), ordinary or national passport).

Visa-free for 1 month (30 days): the Philippines and Malaysia

2 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 1 month (30 days).

Source: Ministère des Affaires étrangères du Bénin, checked Exemption réciproque de visasIn English: Reciprocal visa exemptions (table category; the Malaysia and Philippines entries read "1 mois (30 jours)" and list "Passeport ordinaire").

Visa-free for 14 days: Hong Kong and Singapore

2 nationalities

No visa is needed for stays of up to 14 days.

Source: Ministère des Affaires étrangères du Bénin, checked Séjour de Quatorze jours (14j) Passeport ordinaireIn English: Stay of fourteen days (14d): ordinary passport (Singapore entry; the Hong Kong entry reads "14 jours", "Passeport national", "Exemption mutuelle de visa 28 février 1997").

eVisa: India, China, the US and 128 more

131 nationalities

Everyone not listed above applies online for an eVisa.

Nationalities not listed above: the official source says so in as many words.

Source: Gouvernement de la République du Bénin, e-Visa portal, checked Ce site permet à tout étranger désireux de visiter la République du Bénin de soumettre sa demande d’e-Visa en ligne. Cependant, les Africains peuvent visiter le Bénin sans visa pendant 90 jours.In English: This site allows any foreigner wishing to visit the Republic of Benin to submit their e-Visa application online. However, Africans can visit Benin without a visa for 90 days.

Where to apply

Apply for the eVisa only on the official site, evisa.bj. Look-alike sites charge extra for the same form.

These rules cover ordinary passports and short visits; work, study and transit have their own rules.

Most searched passports

FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit Benin?

It depends on your passport: 67 nationalities are visa-free and 131 can use an eVisa or ETA. Choose your passport above.

Do Indian citizens need a visa for Benin?

Yes, but online: Indian citizens apply for an eVisa before they travel (Gouvernement de la République du Bénin, e-Visa portal, checked 2 Nov 2026).

Do US citizens need a visa for Benin?

Yes, but online: US citizens apply for an eVisa before they travel (Gouvernement de la République du Bénin, e-Visa portal, checked 2 Nov 2026).

Can I apply for a Benin visa online?

Yes, if you are eligible: 131 nationalities can apply online for an eVisa or ETA. Apply only at evisa.bj.

Sources and changes

  1. Government of Benin: countries exempt from entry visa (MAEC list)gouv.bj · checked 2 Nov 2026
  2. Ministère des Affaires étrangères du Béninapi.diplomatie.bj · checked 2 Nov 2026
  3. Benin e-Visa FAQ: who needs an e-Visaevisa.bj · checked 2 Nov 2026
  4. Benin e-Visa (official)evisa.bj · checked 2 Nov 2026
  1. All groups checked against Gouvernement de la République du Bénin (e-Visa portal; Ministère des Affaires étrangères). No change since.

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Rules change without notice. Always confirm with the official source linked on each page before you travel.