Eligibility quiz
Do you work in the Glo-Djigbé special economic zone as an approved investor?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Benin
You can live in Benin for five years, with renewal possible.
You do not have to pay a deposit for your return travel or any related fees.
Foreign residents have the same rights and freedoms as citizens, with legal limits; political rights are reserved for citizens.
Own property
You can own property in Benin, with some legal restrictions.
How to apply
From outside BeninFrom outside Benin
Start your e-Visa application
Start the e-Visa application with your email address, travel document number and its expiry date. Follow the confirmation link sent to your email; if you are applying for your child, start an application for them.
Start an e-Visa applicationFill in the e-Visa application
Choose “POURSUIVRE MA DEMANDE” and fill in the personal, e-Visa, travel and passport details for yourself or your child. Complete the fields marked with an asterisk.
Continue the e-Visa applicationConfirm and pay online
Choose “CONFIRMER ET PAYER” and pay the e-Visa fee on the platform. Wait for the message confirming that the application has been registered and keep the number given after payment.
Pay the e-Visa feeFollow your e-Visa application
Use your application number and choose “SUIVRE VOTRE DEMANDE” to follow the application for yourself or your child. Wait for the e-Visa decision.
Follow your e-Visa applicationTravel to Benin
Once you or your child has the entry permission needed, travel to Benin to apply for the special economic zone resident card.
Find entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “What entry permission do I need to travel to Benin to apply for a special economic zone resident card?”
Once in BeninOnce in Benin
Download the application form
Download the residence card application form, called “Fiche de demande de carte de séjour”, from the immigration department's document library.
Download the application formFill in the form
Fill in the residence card application form for yourself or your child.
Find form instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Benin special economic zone resident card application form?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your or your child's resident card application.
See required documentsPay the fee online
Pay the resident card fee of 350,000 FCFA online for your or your child's application. Keep the payment receipt for the application.
Pay the card feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Benin special economic zone resident card fee online?”
Book an appointment
Book an online appointment with the immigration department for your or your child's resident card application.
Book an appointmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment online for a Benin special economic zone resident card?”
Go to your appointment
Bring your or your child's application, documents and payment receipt to the immigration department in Cotonou.
Find the immigration departmentSearches DuckDuckGo for “Where do I submit a Benin special economic zone resident card application in Cotonou?”
Complete your enrolment
Have yourself or your child enrolled in the immigration department's database. Collect the enrolment receipt and have it stamped.
Find enrolment instructionsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I complete enrolment for a Benin special economic zone resident card?”
Cooperate with the inquiry
For a first resident card, cooperate with the neighbourhood inquiry for yourself or your child after submitting the application.
Learn about the inquirySearches DuckDuckGo for “How does the neighbourhood inquiry for a first Benin special economic zone resident card work?”
Wait for the decision
Wait for the decision on your or your child's resident card application. Respond if the immigration department asks for more information or documents.
Check decision informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I find out about the decision on my Benin special economic zone resident card application?”
Documents needed
Family certificates and recordsFamily certificates and records
Marriage certificate *
Bring a copy of your marriage certificate. See the official document checklist for details.
* Only if you are the investor's wife.
May need translationParents' residence cards *
Bring a copy of your father's residence card and a copy of your mother's residence card.
* Only if you are a minor accompanying your parents.
Considerations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Residence status can end
Your status ends after five years if it is not renewed.
It can also be withdrawn at the administrative authority’s request for a breach of or disturbance to public order or safety.
Keeping or renewing it is not guaranteed if you lose your job.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Move To Benin
English Facebook group for people living in Benin interested in Beninese visas
Join on FacebookBénin 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 FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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