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All visitors over one year of age are required to produce a yellow fever certificate on entry to Benin.

Valid passport required by all except nationals of the following countries in possession of a national identity card: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, (Rep of), Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Rwanda, Senegal and Togo.

Required by all except the following:
(a) nationals of ECOWAS member countries;
(b) those in transit continuing their onward journey within 24 hours, provided holding confirmed tickets and not leaving the airport.

All children of nationals who require a visa, issued with their own passport, do require a visa.

Tourist and Business. Visas cost £45 for 15 days; £55 for 30 days; £65 for 90 days.

Visas are valid for a 15-, 30- or 90-day period within three months of date of issue.

Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy); see Passport/Visa Information.

(a) Valid passport. (b) Application form completed in duplicate. (c) Two passport-size photos. (d) Pre-paid registered envelope large enough to fit passport, if applying by post. (e) Fee. (f) For a Business visa, a letter from the applicant’s company.

Callers at the Consulate are usually able to obtain visas on the same day.

Enquire at Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy).

Honorary Consulate of Benin in the UK
Millennium House, Humber Road, Nr Staples Corner, London NWZ 6DW, UK
Tel: (020) 7435 0665.
E-mail: l.landau@btinternet.com
Opening hours: Mon, Wed and Fri: 1000-1630.

Embassy of the Republic of Benin in France
87 avenue Victor Hugo, 75116 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4500 9882 or 4222 3191 (consular section).
Website: www.ambassade-benin.org

Embassy of the Republic of Benin in the USA
2124 Kalorama Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 6656.
Website: www.beninembassyus.org

01 BP 120, Cotonou, Benin
Tel: 306 835.
Website: www.gouv.bj

Millennium House, Humber Road, Near Staples Corner, London NW2 6DW, UK
Tel: (020) 8830 8612.
E-mail: l.landau@btinternet.com
Opening hours: Mon, Wed and Fri 1030-1600.

87 avenue Victor Hugo, 742116 Paris, France
Tel: (1) 4500 9882 or 4222 3191 (consular section).
Website: www.ambassade-benin.org

2124 Kalorama Road, NW, Washington, DC 20008, USA
Tel: (202) 232 6656.
Website: www.beninembassyus.org

Yes	1
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3	N/A
4	N/A

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required by all travellers over one year of age. Risk occurs in all rural areas, but especially in Atakora and Borgou.

Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Benin. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

Vaccination against typhoid is advised.

Malaria is a risk all year throughout the country. It occurs predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine is common and resistance to sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine has been reported. A weekly dose of 250mg of mefloquine is recommended.

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Water used for drinking, brushing teeth or making ice should have first been boiled or otherwise sterilised. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid all dairy products. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Hepatitis A and E are widespread. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Hepatitis C occurs. Meningococcal meningitis is a risk, depending on the area and the time of year. Immunisation against hepatitis B, diphtheria and meningococcal A and C is sometimes recommended. Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchoceriasis (river blindness) exists and precautions are recommended. TB occurs. Haemorrhagic fevers can be a risk in rural areas; rat-contaminated food should be avoided. The hot, dusty, windy environmental conditions in November and December may exacerbate respiratory problems. HIV/AIDS is prevalent. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Medical facilities are limited, especially outside the major towns, and not all medicines are available. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. Medical insurance is strongly recommended.

Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.

Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Traditional Day/Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice). Apr 10 Prophet’s Birthday. Apr 17 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 25 Ascension Day. Jun 5 Whit Monday. Aug 1 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 26 Armed Forces Day. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Oct 22-24 Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 30 National Day. Dec 25 Christmas Day. Dec 31 Tabaski (Feast of the Sacrifice).
Jan 1 2007 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Traditional Day. Mar 31 Prophet’s Birthday. Apr 9 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 17 Ascension Day. May 28 Whit Monday.

Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. For further details, see the World of Islam appendix.