Benin entry requirements every traveler needs to follow

by Giovanna Moraes | December 6, 2022

From pristine lagoons and palm-fringed sandy beaches in the south, spectacular savannah in the center, and arid mountains in the north, Benin offers intrepid travelers an impressive diversity of landscapes. And if you love animals, you’ll be delighted to learn that the Pendjari is one of the most spectacular national parks in West Africa!

There, you’ll be able to spot baboons, cheetahs, elephants, and even lions.

But above all, what draws visitors to this beautiful land is its rich cultural heritage, tumultuous history, surprising traditions, and colonial architecture. Tourists travel from all around the world to immerse themselves in the unique Beninese culture and experience the legendary warm and welcoming ways of the locals.

But how to travel to this West African country? Are there any specific visa entry requirements for Benin? That’s what we’ll tackle in this guide to Benin entry requirements.

Benin entry requirements

Passport

Travelers who want to visit Benin need to hold a passport with a minimum validity period of 6 months from their planned arrival date. For instance, if you’re planning to visit Benin on December 1, 2023, your passport must be valid until at least May 2, 2024. Note that your passport should also have at least one blank page available for stamping purposes.

Visa

All foreigners traveling to Benin must apply for a Benin visa to enter the country, it's one of the mandatory Benin entry requirements.

Note that some countries are exempted of this part of the entry requirements for Benin if travelers intend to stay for less than a set amount of days. For instance, travelers from South Africa can visit the country for up to 30 days without a visa. For everyone else, the authorities have made the visa application process relatively easy by providing a platform to apply for it online. You can go through the application process easily and in your own language through the website of Visagov.

Travel Insurance

Travel insurance isn’t one of the mandatory Benin entry requirements. Yet, you’re strongly encouraged to purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover overseas medical costs, repatriation or evacuation expenses, and potential legal costs. Also, always ensure the insurance you purchase covers you for the type of activities you want to undertake.

palm trees and mountain in Benin

Currency

The country’s official currency is called the West African CFA franc (XOF) and is divided into 100 centimes.

Vaccines

In addition to applying for a visa online, you’ll need to meet vaccination entry requirements for Benin.

Vaccination against yellow fever is one of the mandatory Benin entry requirements. You should be vaccinated in an approved center before departure and will have to show proof of vaccination.

Also, the WHO recommends vaccination against the following diseases: