🇧🇯Benin Visa for São Tomé and Príncipe Citizens2026 Requirements, Fees & Documents

Visa-free90 days max stay

No — São Tomé and Príncipe passport holders do not need a visa for Benin. Entry is visa-free for up to 90 days as of 2026.

Diplomatic, official, service, and ordinary passports. Agreement signed in New York 25 September 2024.

diplomatie.gouv.bj ↗

Entering Benin on a São Tomé and Príncipe passport

→ Travel with just your valid São Tomé and Príncipe passport. No visa or prior application needed.

Other Benin visa categories (4)

These don't apply to a typical short visit, but cover other reasons people travel to Benin. Eligibility varies by visa type — some are limited to specific nationalities, so check each one's conditions.

Visa Professionnel (Professional/Work Visa)

Visa for foreigners seeking to engage in professional or employment activities in Benin.

365 daysmultiple entry3-7d processing

For professional activity; stay up to 12 months, renewable for the same duration. Fees in EUR: 1 month (€70 / 45,916 FCFA), 3 months (€90 / 59,036 FCFA), 6 months (€120 / 78,715 FCFA), 1 year (€180 / 118,072 FCFA); bi-national rates 3 months €20, 6 months €45, 1 year €75. DEI-issued long-stay visa (service PS00407 'Visa résident long séjour'); a written request to the DEI director is required first, then apply and pay online at service-public.bj and complete enrolment in person at DEI Cotonou. Estimated processing 3-7 days. Legal basis: Loi N° 2025-15 of 2 July 2025 and Décret N° 2026-049 of 4 March 2026.

Apply here ↗

Visa d'Étude (Student/Study Visa)

Visa for foreigners intending to pursue studies or training programs in Benin.

365 daysmultiple entry3-7d processing

For study or training; stay up to 12 months, renewable for the same duration. Fees in EUR: 1 month (€70 / 45,916 FCFA), 3 months (€90 / 59,036 FCFA), 6 months (€120 / 78,715 FCFA), 1 year (€180 / 118,072 FCFA); bi-national rates 3 months €20, 6 months €45, 1 year €75. DEI-issued long-stay visa (service PS00407 'Visa résident long séjour'); a written request to the DEI director is required first, then apply and pay online at service-public.bj and complete enrolment in person at DEI Cotonou. Estimated processing 3-7 days. Legal basis: Loi N° 2025-15 of 2 July 2025 and Décret N° 2026-049 of 4 March 2026.

Apply here ↗

Titre de Voyage pour Réfugiés (Travel Document for Refugees)

Travel document issued to persons holding refugee status in Benin, allowing international travel except to the country of origin.

Issued by DEI to recognized refugees. Valid for travel to all countries except country of origin. This is a travel document, not a standard visa type, but listed as a formal DEI service for foreign nationals.

Apply here ↗

Sauf-Conduit (Safe Conduct Pass)

Emergency travel document issued to foreigners in Benin who lack diplomatic representation or have lost their passport, allowing return to their country of origin.

single entry

Issued by DEI to foreigners without representation or who have lost travel documents. Valid only for travel to the holder's country of origin. This is an emergency document, not a standard immigration visa.

Apply here ↗