Eligibility quiz
Are you a Beninese citizen?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Benin
A resident card lets you settle in Benin.
An ordinary card lasts 3 years, and a privileged card lasts 10 years; both can be renewed.
Enjoy equal rights
In Benin, residents generally have the same rights and freedoms as Beninese citizens.
This does not automatically grant citizen-only rights, public services or exemptions, which have their own conditions.
Own property
You can own property in Benin, though other laws may restrict or prohibit ownership in some cases.
How to apply
Applying at the immigration officeApplying at the immigration office
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for the immigration office.
See required documentsGet a travel estimate
If you must pay a repatriation deposit, get a pro forma invoice, or cost estimate, from a travel agency.
Find a travel agencySearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I get a travel agency pro forma invoice for a Benin resident card repatriation deposit?”
Pay the deposit
If the repatriation deposit applies to you, pay it into the Treasury account and pay an extra 20% of the deposit into the immigration office's account.
Find deposit payment detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the repatriation deposit for a Benin resident card to the Treasury and immigration office?”
Pay the fee online
Pay your resident-card application fee online.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Benin resident card application fee online?”
Hand in your application
Bring your documents and payment receipts to the immigration office, called the Direction de l’Émigration et de l’Immigration, and hand in your resident-card application.
Find the immigration officeSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit my Benin resident card application at the Direction de l’Émigration et de l’Immigration?”
Complete your enrollment
Have your details entered in the immigration office's database. Get your enrollment receipt and have it stamped.
Find enrollment detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete enrollment and get a stamped receipt for a Benin resident card?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for a decision on your resident-card application. If this is your first temporary resident-card application or your first privileged resident-card application, expect an inquiry in your neighborhood.
Find decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Benin resident card application decision take and how does the neighborhood inquiry work?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Copy of your passport
Bring a photocopy of your passport or other travel document. It must be valid for more than one year after the date you apply.
Police certificate
For a first application, bring a criminal-record extract or equivalent document from your country of origin or your last country of residence. For a renewal, bring a criminal-record extract issued in Benin.
Copy of identification certificate
Bring a photocopy of your foreigner’s personal identification certificate.
Proof of financial support
Bring proof of employment, an income-generating activity or a promise of an employment contract. You can instead bring proof that you can support yourself, or a guarantee that someone else will support you.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Resident card renewal
You must renew your card when it expires: after 3 years for an ordinary card or 10 years for a privileged card.
Residence can end
If renewal is refused, you must leave within 3 days unless you challenge it in court.
File within 3 days of notice or, if no decision arrives, of the decision deadline.
The challenge pauses departure or expulsion, and the court must decide within 45 days.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Bénin expats
Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese visas (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
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