🇬🇧UNITED KINGDOM

🏳BJGB-BJ

Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa to visit BJ?

Q: Where do I apply for the Benin e-Visa?

On the official government platform at evisa.bj. Avoid look-alike agency sites that add service fees. The site is in French; use a browser translator if needed.

Q: How much does the e-Visa cost?

The official fee for a single-entry 30-day e-Visa is EUR 50. Multiple-entry options (30 or 90 days) cost more, and agencies add their own charges.

Q: How long does processing take?

Usually 2-5 business days. The UK FCDO recommends applying at least 7 days before your arrival date.

Q: How is the visa issued?

You receive an electronic approval by email. Print it or keep it on your phone; the visa is validated on arrival at Cotonou airport.

Q: Do I need a yellow fever vaccination?

Yes. Benin requires proof of yellow fever vaccination, and you should carry the certificate with your travel documents.

UK ordinary passport holders need an e-Visa to visit Benin. Apply online at the official evisa.bj portal at least 7 days before travel; the approved visa is finalized on arrival at Cotonou airport. British citizens cannot enter Benin visa-free. Benin is in West Africa (not part of the Schengen area), so the Schengen 90/180 rule and ETIAS do not apply. Since 2018 Benin operates an electronic visa system; the only official channel is the government platform at evisa.bj. UK travelers complete the application online, upload a passport scan and photo, pay by card, and receive an electronic approval by email. The UK Foreign Office confirms you should apply at least 7 days before arrival and that the visa is issued/validated at Cotonou's Cardinal Bernardin Gantin International Airport. The standard tourist option is a single-entry e-Visa valid for a 30-day stay; multiple-entry 30-day and 90-day options also exist. The official base government fee for the 30-day single-entry e-Visa is EUR 50; third-party agencies charge more. Passport must remain valid for the whole stay (carriers commonly ask for 6 months). Note that visas for Nigeria, Ghana or Togo cannot be obtained inside Benin, so secure those before arrival if continuing onward.

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.

United Kingdom (ILR)Living in United Kingdom as a permanent resident? See PR-specific guidance→

/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30

Visa type

e-Visa (electronic visa) - tourist / short visit

Maximum stay

Up to 30 days (single-entry standard option)

per entry

Entries

Single entry (multiple-entry options available)

from issue date

Visa fee

EUR 50 official government fee (single-entry, 30 days)

consular fee only

Processing time

Typically 2-5 business days; apply at least 7 days ahead

standard track

Validity

Enter within the validity window; 30-day permitted stay from entry

from issue date

/02 — The process

How to apply

/01

Confirm passport validity

Ensure your UK passport is valid for the entire stay; airlines and Benin border officials commonly require at least 6 months validity and a blank page.

· Passport· 6 months recommended

/02

Go to the official portal

Open the only official platform, evisa.bj. Avoid look-alike agency sites that add service fees. The site is in French; use a browser translator if needed.

· evisa.bj· Official only

/03

Complete the online application

Enter personal and passport details, travel dates, accommodation address, and the purpose of visit (tourism). Select single-entry 30-day for a standard short visit.

· Online form· ~15 minutes

/04

Upload documents and pay

Upload a passport bio-page scan and a passport-style photo, attach supporting documents (hotel booking, return ticket) if requested, then pay the fee by card.

· Card payment· EUR 50

/05

Receive e-Visa approval

Wait 2-5 business days. The approval/authorization arrives by email. Apply at least 7 days before your arrival date.

· Email approval· Apply 7+ days early

/06

Travel and clear arrival at Cotonou

Print the e-Visa approval (or keep it on your phone). At Cotonou airport present it with your passport; the visa is validated on arrival.

· Print copy· Cotonou airport

/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items

Personalized checklist

0 / 10 complete

UK passport valid for the whole stay (6 months recommended)

required

At least one blank passport page

recommended

Approved e-Visa printout or digital copy

required

Digital passport bio-page scan for the application

required

Recent passport-style photograph

required

Confirmed return or onward flight ticket

recommended

Proof of accommodation / hotel booking

recommended

Payment card for the online fee

required

Yellow fever vaccination certificate

required

Visas for Nigeria/Ghana/Togo arranged before arrival if travelling onward

recommended

Track your progress · save & email a copy

/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate

Line itemAmountSource

e-Visa single-entry (30 days)EUR 50Official government fee on evisa.bj

e-Visa multiple-entry (30 days)EUR 75 (approx)Higher-tier option for multiple entries

e-Visa multiple-entry (90 days)EUR 100 (approx)Longer multiple-entry option

Third-party agency service chargeEUR 20-60+Optional; only if using an agency instead of evisa.bj

Total estimateEUR 50 — EUR 110incl. all

/05 — The wait

Processing time

Official evisa.bj application

2-5 business days

Apply directly on the government portal at least 7 days before arrival; cheapest and authoritative route.

Expedited agency service

24-48 hours

Third-party agencies offer faster handling for an added fee; not necessary if you apply early.

/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency

/01

Benin requires a visa for all UK nationals

There is no visa-free or visa-waiver arrangement; the UK FCDO confirms a visa is mandatory to enter or transit Benin.

High

/02

e-Visa is the standard channel

Benin issues electronic visas via evisa.bj; travelers apply online and the visa is validated at Cotonou airport.

High

/03

Using unofficial agency sites

Many third-party sites mimic the official portal and charge extra; applicants overpay or risk errors.

Medium

/04

Applying too late

FCDO advises applying at least 7 days before arrival; last-minute applications risk missing the trip.

Medium

/05

Missing yellow fever certificate

Benin requires proof of yellow fever vaccination; travelers without it can be refused entry.

Medium

/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 Kingdom to Benin route verified

Confirmed via GOV.UK travel advice and the official evisa.bj platform that UK ordinary passport holders need an e-Visa (apply 7+ days ahead, EUR 50 single-entry 30 days, validated on arrival at Cotonou).

/09 — The questions