Benin e-Visa
Most foreign visitors for tourism, business or family visits; ECOWAS and other African citizens are generally exempt.
- 1Fill the form5 short steps, 5-8 minutes
- 2Pay onlineCard or UPI, total shown first
- 3We check & submitErrors caught before filing
- 4Get your resultEmail and WhatsApp updates
1Overview
The Benin eVisa is an electronic authorization linked to the traveler's passport number and sent by email. Nothing is stamped in the passport.
One general eVisa covers tourism, business and family or social visits; there are no separate student, medical or business categories. It is accepted at air, land and sea borders.
Who needs it
- Most travelers need it, and every traveler needs their own, including children.
- Citizens of ECOWAS member states are exempt.
- At Cotonou Cadjehoun Airport (COO), a connection under 24 hours generally needs no eVisa if you stay in the international transit area, do not clear immigration or collect luggage, and hold a confirmed onward flight and documents for the final destination.
- Visa on arrival is no longer offered.
+Options
| Option | Valid for | Entries | Stay |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30 days per entry | 30 days | single | up to 30 days per entry |
| 30 days in total | 30 days | multiple | up to 30 days in total |
| 90 days in total | 90 days | multiple | up to 90 days in total |
You choose your option in the form. Your exact total is shown at the last step, after you pick a processing speed.
2Requirements
- PassportValid for at least six months from the arrival date.
- Accommodation addressAddress where you will stay in Benin.
- Email addressA valid email to receive the eVisa.
Important to know
- Denials are rare and usually caused by typos or invalid passports; a new application is normally needed.
- The official portal's binding text is in French only.
- Do not count on visa on arrival; Benin replaced it with the eVisa.
3How to apply with Ok E-visa
- Fill in the formA few short steps: your passport, traveller and trip details, plus the documents listed above. Choose your option and processing speed.
- Pay onlineYou go straight to a secure payment page. The total in US dollars is shown before you pay.
- We check and submitOur team reviews your details for common errors and submits the application.
- Receive your resultThe eVisa comes as a PDF by email; print a copy and also keep a digital one on your phone.
4Timing and speed
Validity starts from the entry date you declare, so a delayed trip uses up part of it.
Processing speeds
You choose your speed at the last step of the form, where your exact total is shown. Times are estimates, not guaranteed; the authority makes the final decision.
5Fees
Our price covers our service fee, review, submission and support. If the government charges its own fee for this document, we tell you the exact amount before you pay.
Your exact total, in US dollars, is shown at the last step of the form before you pay. You may also apply directly on the official portal at no service charge.
6After approval
- The eVisa comes as a PDF by email; print a copy and also keep a digital one on your phone.
- Airlines may refuse boarding without a printed eVisa.
- It cannot be extended online; visit the Immigration Office (Direction de l'Emigration et de l'Immigration) in Cotonou before it expires.
- An issued eVisa cannot be modified or refunded, and the chosen option cannot be changed afterward; a typo means applying again.
?Questions about Benin e-Visa
Do I need a Benin eVisa?
Most international travelers do. ECOWAS citizens are generally exempt.
How do I receive it?
As a PDF by email. Print a copy and keep a digital one.
How long can I stay?
30 days (single or multiple entry) or 90 days (multiple entry), depending on the option chosen.
How long does processing take?
Most are issued within 24 to 48 hours, depending on the speed selected.
Do children need one?
Yes, every traveler needs their own eVisa; family members can be added to one session.
What if it is denied?
Causes are usually typos or invalid passports. Details are checked against the passport bio-page, and a new application is normally required.
Can I get a visa on arrival?
No. It was replaced by the eVisa, and airlines may deny boarding without a printed eVisa.
Do I need it for transit?
Generally not for a connection under 24 hours at Cotonou airport if you stay airside with an onward flight.
Is visa on arrival available?
No, Benin replaced it with the eVisa portal.
Can it be extended?
Yes, in person at the Immigration Office in Cotonou before expiry, not online.
How long does the Benin e-Visa take?
Processing: as fast as 15 minutes. Official processing: most issued within 24 to 48 hours. Timelines are set by the authority and can change, so we update you as your application moves.
Can I apply directly instead of using Benin e-Visa help?
Yes. We are a private assistance service, not a government website. You can apply on the official portal at no service charge. Our fee covers review, submission and tracking.
Does the price include the government fee?
Our price covers our service fee, review, submission and support. If the government charges its own fee for this document, we tell you the exact amount before you pay.
What if I make a mistake on the form?
Tell us as soon as you notice. Whether a correction is possible depends on the official portal and on whether the application was already submitted. Some fields, such as name and passport number, often cannot be edited after submission.
✓Why apply with Ok E-visa
This page is a plain-language summary to help you prepare. Entry rules change, so always confirm the latest requirements on the official government website. Ok E-visa is a private assistance service and is not a government website.
