Citizenship via cultural ties (Afro-descendant citizenship)Citizenship via cultural ties (Afro-descendant citizenship)
Eligibility quiz
Do you have an ancestor from sub-Saharan Africa who was taken out of Africa in the slave trade?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Beninese passport
Citizens can get an ordinary biometric passport.
Live in Benin for life
Citizenship lets you live in Benin without a foreign resident card and has no ordinary expiry date or renewal.
Citizens have the right to enter and leave Benin and cannot be forced into exile.
Live and work in 12 countries
Work in public service
Citizens can work in public service if they meet the requirements for the job.
Vote and run for office
Citizens can vote from age 18 if they retain their civil and political rights.
Citizens can run for office, but particular offices have their own requirements.
Citizens also have equal protection under the law and freedoms of movement, association, assembly, expression and religion.
How to apply
From outside BeninFrom outside Benin
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your online application.
See required documentsFill in the application online
Create an account on My Afro Origins and fill in the citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants form. Cultural ties to Benin alone do not qualify you for this citizenship.
Fill in the applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Benin citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants application on My Afro Origins?”
Pay the fee online
Pay the US$100 processing fee online through My Afro Origins.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Benin citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants fee on My Afro Origins?”
Submit your application
Upload your documents and submit your completed application through My Afro Origins for the Ministry of Justice.
Submit your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Benin citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants application on My Afro Origins?”
Wait for the decision
Track your application in your My Afro Origins account and respond to any requests for more information or documents.
Track your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I track my Benin citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants application on My Afro Origins?”
Receive your provisional attestation
If your application is approved, receive your provisional nationality attestation. It lets you enter, stay in and leave Benin, but it does not let you get a Beninese passport.
Receive your attestationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive a provisional nationality attestation for Benin citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants?”
Once in BeninOnce in Benin
Travel to Benin
Travel to Benin and stay there within three years of your provisional recognition. Keep proof of your stay.
See the stay requirementSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I satisfy the Benin stay requirement for citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants?”
Submit proof of stay
Submit proof of your stay when requested so your provisional recognition can become final.
Submit proof of staySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit proof of a Benin stay for citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants?”
Receive your final attestation
Once your recognition is final, receive your nationality attestation. You can then enter, stay in and leave Benin as a citizen.
Receive your attestationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I receive my final nationality attestation for Benin citizenship by recognition for Afro-descendants?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Birth certificates
Get a full copy of your birth certificate, generally issued within the last three months, or an accepted substitute. If you use a relative’s records to prove your descent, include the birth records that connect you to that relative. If a civil record was established, corrected or changed by a decision, include the decision and a certificate that no appeal is pending. Check whether administrative documents issued outside Benin need to be notarised or qualify for an exemption.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Military service
Beninese men and women aged 18–35 can be called for military service under the service arrangements.
Citizenship can be lost
A citizen who wants to acquire another nationality can give up Beninese citizenship by declaration.
Benin can also take citizenship away for conduct considered unworthy or harmful to its interests.
It cannot do so if that would leave the person without any citizenship.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Bénin expats
Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese local life (English & French)
Join on FacebookExpat au Bénin
French Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese local life
Join on FacebookBénin expat
French Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
Adavia doesn't provide advice, but we're building a directory of professionals who do. If you'd like, we can notify you when help is available.
Updated