Benin Visa Online Overview

What is an eVisa Exactly?

An eVisa is an electronic application, the difference between an eVisa and a Regular visa is that with the electronic visa you can now apply and receive this travel document online, from any location. Your visa is one of the most important documents that you will need to enter a foreign country. Therefore, before you visit any country of your choice, you have to apply for this document. Earlier the process of obtaining a visa used to be a long one that included waiting in long queues. Now, the process has been made much simpler. Today, with just a click of your finger, you can apply for your eVisa, make payment and obtain it easily.

Step-by-Step Process to Get a Visa to Benin

Just like every other country, people who are keen to travel to Benin will also need a visa to this country. In April 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin introduced the eVisa application process for people around the world. This is to simplify the process of applying and obtaining a visa for anyone who wants to visit Benin. The application process of obtaining an eVisa to Benin is quite easy. In just 3 simple steps you can enter your destination without any hassles. These steps are; online application, provision of the document and making payment and presenting the visa on arrival.

• Fill an online application for your visa to Benin. Get your visa application form online from the government's website. Fill up the form with the correct information.
• Provide the right documents and make the payment. Next, you will need to scan all the documents that have been asked for and submit them online. Once you have done that, you will need to make the payment online through any credit/debit card or PayPal.
• Receive your Benin Visa. Within a few days, you will receive your eVisa. Once you reach the international airport of Benin, you need to show your passport and eVisa to the immigrant officer present there and then you can officially enter the national territory of Benin.

Important Details to Know When Applying for Your Benin eVisa

• When you are applying for your eVisa, you must mention the purpose of your visit, i.e., transit, business or tourism.
• An eVisa to Benin provides you with options, single as well as multiple entries, depending on the type of visa you have applied for. This will be valid for 30 days and 90 days after you arrive in Benin. Travellers are allowed to stay in the country till the time permitted in your respective eVisa.
• Once you arrive in Benin, along with your eVisa you will also have to provide your biometric passport. Failing to do so will stop you from entering the country.
• Whether you are travelling alone or with a companion, each one of you must possess a passport of your own (irrespective of the age).
• Each country has separate and unique immigration rules for its foreign visitors. Therefore, having a Benin eVisa does not automatically gives you the right to enter the country. If the immigration officers at the airport find that you have failed to fulfil any of the immigration requirements, then you might be refused entry.
• Travellers visiting Benin must not have any criminal record. If any individual comes deems to be a threat to the national interest and security of the country, their visa application will be rejected by the immigration office.

Countries Eligible for Benin eVisa as of 2020

When it comes to obtaining an eVisa to Benin, almost all the countries across the globe needs to apply for it. As long as the reason for travel is business, family or tourism, you can apply for the Benin eVisa. Exceptions have been made for certain regarding the visa application. Citizens holding passports of African countries will be allowed to enter Benin without a visa. They will be allowed to stay in the country for upto 9 days. Those interested in extending their stay will have to apply for a visa. Besides African citizens, People from Hong Kong are also exempted from visa application. However, unlike the citizens of Africa, Hong Kong citizens will be allowed to stay for 14 days.

Documents Needed and How to Improve Your Approval Odds

Visa application is all about providing the right documents and correct information. This will ensure that you obtain your eVisa easily and without any hiccups in the process. One of the most important documents that you need to provide is your passport. You need to be a passport holder of a country that is recognised by the government of Benin. The passport must be valid for a minimum period of 6 months. This passport must have at least one unused page at the back so that the immigration officers can stamp it on your arrival to and departure from the country.

When visiting a foreign country, you need to be able to finance your stay there. To ensure this, the immigration office will require you to provide your bank statement. The statement must show that you have sufficient amount of money in your account so that you can manage your personal expenses.

Besides your financial statement, the immigration authorities also require you to submit proof of your valid credit card, debit card or proof of your PayPal account. In addition to this, you will also be required to provide several other documents such as your travel itineraries that include your arrival and departure tickets to and from the country. Visitors will need to vaccinate themselves for the Yellow Fever and provide the medical certificate for the same. Once a traveller has provided the immigration officers with all the mentioned documents, it will be easy to get an eVisa and entry to Benin.