Benin visa for American passport holders
American passport holders need an e-visa for Benin
You apply and pay online before you travel and carry the approval with you. Approval times vary, so don't leave it to the last week.
Heads up: Benin's official portal (evisa.bj) is the only place to apply online. ECOWAS citizens, including Nigerians and Ghanaians, travel without a visa; if you need one, use evisa.bj and not a look-alike agent site.
- From official sources
Fee: e-Visa applied for yourself: EUR 50 (30 days, single entry), EUR 75 (30 days, multiple) or EUR 100 (90 days, multiple). At an embassy each costs EUR 10 more.
Timing: Apply on the official portal before you fly; it shows how to track your application
What you'll typically need
- A card that can pay online, for the visa fee
- A digital passport photo and a scan of your passport photo page
- Flight and accommodation details, and sometimes a bank statement or invitation letter
- A passport valid for at least six months from the day you arrive, with blank pages
- Proof of onward or return travel
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate — many African countries ask for it, especially if you've been in an affected country
Typical requirements, not a guarantee — the destination decides.
Want to get it right first time?
A personalised checklist, readiness check and step-by-step guide — you still apply on the official site.
Want us to fill this in for you?
Coming soon: our visa agent fills in the Benin application, a person checks it, and you approve it before it's submitted.
Key rules for Benin were checked against Benin official e-Visa portal: visa costs in October 2026. Individual passport results come from Passport Index data as of February 2026, corrected where official sources disagreed. Rules change, so always check the official source before you pay or book. Faylo is not an embassy or immigration adviser.
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Questions
Do American citizens need a visa for Benin?
American passport holders need an e-visa for Benin. You apply and pay online before you travel and carry the approval with you. Approval times vary, so don't leave it to the last week. Confirm on Benin e-Visa portal (Government of Benin) before you pay or book, because entry rules change.
Should I use an agent to get a Benin visa?
Only if you want someone to handle the paperwork for you. Government fees are the same whether or not you use an agent, and agents add their own fee on top — sometimes more than the visa itself. Check that the government fee is listed separately and avoid agents who ask for payment to a personal account.