Skip to main content

Benin Visa for France Citizens 2026

e-Visa / eTA

French citizens must obtain an e-Visa for Benin before travel via the official portal evisa.gouv.bj, with a fee of around EUR 50 and processing of 48-72 hours.

Guide last updated September 22, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date, with 2 blank pages
  • Completed online e-Visa application form at evisa.gouv.bj
  • Digital passport-style photo (recent, plain background, JPEG under 2MB) uploaded during the application
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host invitation)
  • Proof of onward/return travel
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory for entry into Benin)
  • No in-person biometrics; a scanned passport bio-page is uploaded instead
  • Travel health insurance recommended but not mandatory

Visa types

  • Short-stay e-Visa: single or multiple entry, valid for up to 90 days from issue, maximum stay 30 days per entry, fee around EUR 50
  • Business e-Visa: same portal, requires an invitation letter from a Beninese company, similar fee
  • Longer-stay or work visas require an in-person application at the Beninese Embassy in Paris

How to apply online

  • Go to evisa.gouv.bj and create an account
  • Fill in personal, passport and travel details, upload photo, passport bio page and yellow fever certificate
  • Pay online by credit/debit card (fee approx EUR 50 / USD 55)
  • Processing time is typically 48-72 hours, sometimes same-day
  • Approval is emailed as a PDF; print it and present it with your passport on arrival at Cadjehoun Airport (Cotonou) or a land border

Fees & processing time

  • E-Visa fee: approximately EUR 50 (about USD 55), paid online, no separate service fee since it is a direct government portal
  • Standard processing: 48-72 hours
  • No expedited/priority option is officially offered, but applying at least a week before travel is advised
  • Total cost: essentially just the EUR 50 e-Visa fee plus any bank card conversion charges

Tips for France travelers

  • Apply at least 5-7 business days before departure to allow for any request for additional documents
  • Ensure your yellow fever certificate is uploaded clearly; this is the most common cause of delay for French applicants
  • Double check the destination email address for approval; spam filters sometimes catch the confirmation
  • Print two copies of the e-Visa approval in case of technical issues at the airport
  • Extensions beyond 30 days must be requested in person at the Direction Generale des Affaires Etrangeres in Cotonou

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.