PassportSouth Africa

Benin: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Benin. You can stay up to 30 days per visit, and you can apply to extend.

Visa-free. Benin exempted all African nationals on 30 August 2016.234

Benin is one of 59 visa-free destinations for South Africans. See the full list or visa-free countries in Africa.

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Not published by official sources

Passport validity

At least 6 months (GSA). FCDO says valid for the duration of the stay.54

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

No visa needed. For non-exempt travellers, the official e-Visa portal is https://evisa.bj (Government of Benin): 30-day single EUR 50, 30-day multiple EUR 75, 90-day multiple EUR 100; processing up to 96 hours.12

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Where South Africans apply

Not applicable (exempt). e-Visa online at evisa.bj if needed.12

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

Return ticket listed.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Proof of funds

Not published by official sources

Accommodation or invitation

Letter of invitation and proof of accommodation listed.4

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

BENIN: yellow fever certificate REQUIRED for entry. RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA: Benin is on South Africa's yellow fever risk-country list. South African Department of Health / DIRCO rules require every traveller over 1 year old (South Africans included) arriving from a risk country, or transiting a risk-country airport for more than 12 hours, to show a valid yellow fever certificate (vaccine at least 10 days before departure; certificates are valid for life). Without one you may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days.5674

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

30 August 2016Visa exemption for all African nationals.

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

  1. 1Government of the Republic of Benin – e-Visa portal evisa.bj

Other government

Official advice from other governments

  1. 5UK FCDO gov.uk
  2. 6National Department of Health, South Africa health.gov.za
  3. 7DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

  1. 2Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
  2. 3Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

  1. 4The GSA (South African visa agency) thegsa.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book. Spotted something out of date? Report a change.