Do I Need a Passport to Go to Cotonou in Benin?

About Cotonou in Benin

Cotonou, the largest city in the Republic of Benin, offers visitors a chance to experience the culture of West Africa. Located in the southern part of the country on the Gulf of Guinea, it is the nation’s economic and administrative capital. The city is a major port, serving as the primary export hub for the shipment of goods such as coffee, cocoa, palm oil, and cotton.

The city of Cotonou is a vibrant, energetic destination. It is known as the commercial center of the country, as well as being a popular destination for many tourists. Whether it is bustling with merchants at the outdoor markets or providing a glimpse into the archaeological history held within museums, there is something exciting to discover around every corner.

Those who decide to visit Cotonou will find many attractions that are sure to keep them entertained. They can feel the real atmosphere of Benin, strolling through busy markets, beautiful beaches, and scenic parks. There is also plenty of colonial architecture to admire and traditional cuisine to sample.

A trip to Cotonou promises fun and adventure for all who come to experience its unique culture. However, before leaving for the journey, you should prepare your luggage, apply for essential travel permits, and purchase travel insurance.

Do I need a passport to go to Cotonou?

You cannot travel to Benin without a travel permit – to cross the border of the country, it is essential to have a passport or a visa.

A number of foreigners may enjoy traveling to Benin visa-free due to the agreement established in 1979. Since then, member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA) promised freedom of movement for their nationals. Moreover, citizens of Indonesia, Macau, Hong Kong, and Singapore are also allowed to enter Benin only with a valid passport.

The countries eligible to visit Benin with a passport only:

Algeria
Angola
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Cape Verde
Central African Republic
Chad
Comoros
Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Djibouti
Egypt
Equatorial Guinea
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea
Guinea Bissau
Haiti
Hong Kong
Ivory Coast
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Libya
Madagascar
Malawi
Mali
Mauritania
Mauritius
Morocco
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Sao Tome and Principe
Senegal
Seychelles
Sierra Leone
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Swaziland
Tanzania
Togo
Tunisia
Uganda
United Kingdom
Zambia
Zimbabwe

Without a visa, the nationals mentioned above may spend up to 90 days in Benin and enjoy the freedom of movement. The only exception are the citizens of Hong Kong and Singapore, who are allowed short-term trips not extending 14 days. For longer journeys, it is essential to obtain a regular visa at the nearest Embassy.

Do not forget that overstaying is strictly forbidden, so make sure your passport will remain valid throughout your entire journey abroad.

Do I need a visa to go to Cotonou?

It is essential to have a valid travel document while planning a journey to Benin. Depending on your nationality, you may need not only a passport but also a visa. In that case, you should either schedule an appointment at the Embassy and apply for a regular visa or complete the online application from your home.

Nationals of the following countries may apply for a Benin eVisa:

Afghanistan
Albania
Andorra
Antigua and Barbuda
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahamas
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei Darussalam
Bulgaria
Cambodia
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Cuba
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominica
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Estonia
Federated States of Micronesia
Fiji
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Grenada
Guatemala
Guyana
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kiribati
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macau
Macedonia
Malaysia
Maldives
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Myanmar
Nauru
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nicaragua
North Korea
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palau
Palestinian Territory
Panama
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Republic of Cyprus
Romania
Russian Federation
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Saint Lucia
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Samoa
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Suriname
Sweden
Switzerland
Syrian Arab Republic
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Timor Leste
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Turkmenistan
Tuvalu
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uruguay
Uzbekistan
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen

Benin eVisa application

Benin eVisa online application is a very convenient process. All you need to obtain your electronic visa is a working electronic device (laptop, tablet, smartphone) and a stable Internet connection. The entire procedure should not take more than 15 minutes.

To complete the application for your Tourist Visa online, follow these three steps:

fill in the application form with relevant information
check the form for any spelling mistakes and errors
upload the required documentation in digital format
cover the fee using the selected online payment method

Once your eVisa is approved, it will be sent to your e-mail address. It is important to print it out before the travel since digital documents are not accepted on arrival to the country.

Benin eVisa requirements

The only document that is required for the Benin eVisa application is a valid passport. The permit contains all the necessary data concerning the traveler, such as full name, gender, date of birth, city of birth, and nationality.

Remember that the passport validity period should be at least 6 months from the planned date of travel to Benin. If it expires early, your online visa will be considered invalid as well.

Dominika

Dominika takes care of all professional content published on Visafly.com. She simply loves creative work and writing texts has always been something she's been fond of. Nothing gives her more energy than working with people that match her vibe. In her free time, she enjoys good literature, vegan cuisine, and of course traveling ✈️🗺️😊