Benin visa options for Switzerland passport holders

Visa types & longer-stay routes for Benin

Rules are written for non-ECOWAS / non-African foreign nationals (e.g. US, UK, EU, Canada, Australia, Asia); ECOWAS and most African Union citizens enter visa-free for up to 90 days.

• Most nomadsTourist

  e-Visa (Tourist / Short-Stay)

  30 or 90 days, depending on the option chosen at application

  Insurance

  Requirednot a stated entry condition, but the U.S. State Department strongly advises supplemental medical/evacuation insurance as care is paid out-of-pocket. Yellow fever vaccination IS mandatory for entry.

  Good for

  Non-African foreign nationals visiting for tourism, family visits or leisure; must be obtained online before arrival (no visa on arrival).

  Requirement

  Online application at the official portal evisa.bj with a passport valid 6+ months; apply at least 7 days (and no more than 90 days) before entry. Proof of yellow fever vaccination required at entry.

• Business

  e-Visa (Business / Short-Stay)

  30 or 90 days, depending on the option chosen

  Insurance

  Requiredsupplemental medical/evacuation cover advised by the U.S. State Department; not a formal requirement. Yellow fever vaccination mandatory.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals attending meetings, conferences, negotiations or other short business activities; paid employment is not permitted on this visa.

  Requirement

  Same online e-visa process at evisa.bj (the e-visa covers tourism, business and transit); passport valid 6+ months and yellow fever vaccination certificate.

• Work

  Long-Stay Visa + Work Permit (Employment)

  Work permit typically issued for ~1 year and renewable while employment continues (verify)

  Insurance

  Recommended/ verify - medical and character clearance are part of the process; no explicit private health-insurance mandate confirmed in sources.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals taking up paid employment in Benin for more than 90 days, sponsored by a locally registered employer.

  Requirement

  Employer applies to the Ministry of Labour and Public Service for a work permit tied to the role; applicant then obtains a long-stay visa from a Beninese embassy/consulate. Requires passport, qualifications, health and criminal-record clearance, and proof the role cannot be filled locally.

• Study

  Student Visa (Long-Stay)

  Duration of the course of study; obtained as a long-stay visa (verify exact validity/renewal)

  Insurance

  Recommended/ verify - no explicit insurance requirement confirmed in sources; medical documentation may be requested for long-stay applications.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals enrolled in a full-time course at a recognised Beninese educational institution.

  Requirement

  Letter of acceptance from a recognised institution, valid passport, and application through a Beninese embassy/consulate for the long-stay route; yellow fever vaccination required for entry.

• Residence

  Residence Permit / Long-Stay (Family & Extended Stay)

  Renewable residence permit; permanent residency possible after several years of continuous legal residence (verify thresholds)

  Insurance

  Required/ verify - medical certificates may be required; no explicit private health-insurance mandate confirmed.

  Good for

  Foreign nationals staying longer than 90 days for work, study, family reunion or other long-term purposes, including dependents (spouse/children) of permit holders.

  Requirement

  Long-stay visa from a Beninese embassy/consulate followed by a residence permit applied for within Benin; documents include valid passport, medical and criminal records, and proof of financial means and accommodation. Dependents need proof of relationship and financial capacity.

• Transit

  Transit (via e-Visa)

  Short transit; covered under the 30-day e-visa validity (verify exact transit terms)

  Insurance

  Requiredno insurance mandate for transit; yellow fever vaccination still required.

  Good for

  Travelers passing through Benin en route to another destination who need to clear immigration; the e-visa explicitly covers transit purposes.

  Requirement

  e-Visa obtained in advance via evisa.bj; onward travel documentation and yellow fever vaccination certificate.

General guidance compiled from the official evisa.bj portal, the U.S. State Department and reputable immigration sources; verify fees, durations and documents with a Benin embassy/consulate before travel. Last checked: 2026-06.

Last verified June 2026

Switzerland → Benin: frequently asked

Do Switzerland passport holders need a visa to visit Benin?

e-Visa. Apply for a visa online before travelling. Always confirm with the official source before booking.

Can a Switzerland passport holder live or work long-term in Benin?

Yes, via a long-stay visa. Benin has 6 documented visa types covering work, study, residence and — where it exists — digital-nomad routes.

Do I need travel insurance for Benin?

Entry to Benin never includes health cover, so travel medical insurance is strongly recommended. Several Benin visas also require proof of insurance before they're granted.