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United States to Benin visa requirements

US passport holders need a visa for Benin and must obtain a Benin e-Visa online before travel. Visas are NOT issued on arrival at any airport, land, or sea border. A yellow fever vaccination certificate is mandatory for entry. A United States ordinary passport holder cannot enter Benin without a visa, and there is no visa-on-arrival channel. The required and recommended route is the Benin e-Visa, applied for through the official government portal at evisa.bj (formerly evisa.gouv.bj). The standard tourist option is a 30-day single-entry e-Visa costing 50 EUR (about 32,798 CFA), with 30-day multiple-entry (75 EUR) and 90-day multiple-entry (100 EUR) options also available. Applications can be submitted between 7 and 90 days before travel, and processing typically takes 3-5 business days. The passport should be valid for at least 6 months with a blank page. A yellow fever vaccination certificate (WHO Yellow Card) is mandatory and checked at entry. The e-Visa is delivered by email as a PDF to print and present on arrival. US citizens may extend an e-Visa to up to 36 months at no extra cost via a Beninese embassy or consulate, but the standard tourist e-Visa fully covers a short visit. Beware of unofficial third-party sites that charge inflated service fees; use evisa.bj directly.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
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/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
e-Visa (electronic visa, applied online before travel)
Maximum stay
Up to 30 days (90-day option available)
per entry
Entries
Single or multiple entry (depending on option chosen)
from issue date
Visa fee
50 EUR (approx. 32,798 CFA) for 30-day single entry
consular fee only
Processing time
3-5 business days
standard track
Validity
Valid for the requested period (30 or 90 days); apply 7-90 days before travel
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Confirm passport validity and yellow fever vaccination
Ensure your US passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond entry with a blank page, and get a yellow fever vaccination at least 10 days before travel to obtain the WHO Yellow Card.
· 6 months validity· Yellow fever mandatory
/02
Go to the official portal evisa.bj
Apply only through the Benin government site evisa.bj (formerly evisa.gouv.bj). Avoid third-party sites that charge extra service fees.
· evisa.bj· Official site only
/03
Complete the online application
Enter your personal details, passport information, travel dates, and Benin address/hotel. Apply between 7 and 90 days before your planned arrival.
· Apply 7-90 days ahead
/04
Upload documents and a digital photo
Upload a passport bio-page scan, a recent digital photo (white background, 35x45mm, no glasses), yellow fever certificate, and round-trip itinerary.
· Photo 35x45mm· Yellow fever card
/05
Pay the visa fee online
Pay by card: 50 EUR for 30-day single entry, 75 EUR for 30-day multiple entry, or 100 EUR for 90-day multiple entry.
· From 50 EUR· Card payment
/06
Receive and print the e-Visa
After 3-5 business days you receive the e-Visa PDF by email. Print a copy and carry it with your passport and yellow card for inspection on arrival.
· PDF by email· Print and carry
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

13 items
Personalized checklist
United States -> Benin · e-Visa (electronic visa, applied online before travel)
0 / 13 complete
Deadline reminderAdd a date before export
RequiredUS passport valid 6+ months with at least one blank page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredYellow fever vaccination certificate (WHO Yellow Card)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredCompleted Benin e-Visa application via evisa.bj
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredDigital passport photo (white background, 35x45mm, no glasses)
Use the official size, background, and recency rules for this route
required
RequiredScan of passport bio-data page
Original passport; keep the blank pages and remaining validity required for this route
required
RequiredRound-trip flight itinerary or onward ticket
Bookings, itinerary, or confirmations matching the requested stay dates
required
RequiredProof of accommodation / host address in Benin
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RequiredVisa fee paid online (credit/debit card)
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
required
RecommendedPrinted copy of approved e-Visa for arrival
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RecommendedTravel/health insurance covering the trip
Provide a clear scan, digital file, or original as requested by the official channel
recommended
RequiredOfficial application form or online application
Official form; submit online or print and sign as instructed
Use the current form from the official or designated application channel.
RequiredFlight and hotel itinerary
Confirmed or agency-arranged itinerary when the route guide requires it
Use dates that fit the allowed stay and visa validity.
RecommendedTravel medical insurance
Policy certificate showing traveler name, destination, and coverage dates
Some destinations or agencies require it even when the core visa rule only recommends it.
Official sourcesBenin Official e-Visa Portal (evisa.bj)U.S. Department of State - Benin International Travel InformationEmbassy of Benin in Washington, DC - Visa Requirements
Application link included: Benin Official e-Visa Portal (evisa.bj)
Open link
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
e-Visa - 30 days, single entry50 EUR (approx. 32,798 CFA)Standard tourist option for most short visits
e-Visa - 30 days, multiple entry75 EUR (approx. 49,197 CFA)For trips with excursions to Togo or Nigeria
e-Visa - 90 days, multiple entry100 EUR (approx. 65,596 CFA)For longer stays with re-entry
Total estimate50 EUR — 100 EURincl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Standard e-Visa processing
3-5 business days
Typical turnaround on the official evisa.bj portal; apply at least one week before departure.
Expedited / rush (third-party agencies)
24-48 hours
Some agencies advertise faster service for higher fees; not an official government tier.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
No visa-on-arrival available
Benin does not issue visas at the airport or any land/sea border; you must obtain an e-Visa before travel.
High
/02
Applied to wrong/unofficial website
Many lookalike sites charge inflated service fees. Only evisa.bj is the official government portal.
High
/03
Missing yellow fever certificate
A WHO Yellow Card is mandatory and checked on arrival; without it entry can be refused.
Medium
/04
Photo does not meet specifications
Photos must be recent, white background, 35x45mm, no glasses; non-compliant photos cause rejection.
Medium
/05
Insufficient passport validity
Passport should be valid at least 6 months beyond entry with a blank page.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
United States of America to Benin route verified
Confirmed via the official evisa.bj portal and U.S. State Department that US ordinary passport holders require a Benin e-Visa (no visa-on-arrival), with mandatory yellow fever vaccination; fees from 50 EUR.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can US citizens get a visa on arrival in Benin?—
No. Benin does not issue visas at the airport or at any land or sea border. US citizens must apply for and receive a Benin e-Visa online before traveling.
Where is the official Benin e-Visa website?+
How much does a Benin tourist e-Visa cost?+
Is a yellow fever vaccination required for Benin?+
How long does the Benin e-Visa take to process?+
How long can I stay in Benin on a tourist e-Visa?+
/11 — Passport tools

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