BeninBrunei: Visa required

BeninBrunei

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for Brunei?

Visa required

Yes. Benin passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Brunei.

A visa must be obtained in advance, typically from an embassy or consulate, before travel.

Source: mfa.gov.bn (checked July 21, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-14

Distance12,396 km, straight line (~15h 5m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Brunei104 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Brunei passport holders visiting Benin: e-Visa.

Brunei drives on the left, the opposite side to Benin. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

Visa-free alternatives near Brunei

Benin passport holders can visit these nearby destinations without a visa in advance:

Other visa-free destinations for Benin passport holders

See all Benin destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for Brunei?

Yes. Benin passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Brunei.

How far is Brunei from Benin?

About 12,396 km in a straight line, roughly ~15h 5m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Brunei?

Brunei dollar (BND).

What is the emergency number in Brunei?

991 / 993 / 995.

Does Brunei drive on the same side of the road as Benin?

Brunei drives on the left, the opposite side to Benin. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts.

What time zone is Brunei in?

Brunei (UTC+8).

What is the nearest airport to Bandar Seri Begawan?

Brunei International Airport (BWN), about 2 km away.

How many countries can enter Brunei without a visa?

104 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Brunei visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

What nearby countries can Benin passport holders visit without a visa instead of Brunei?

Philippines, Singapore, Cambodia, Timor-Leste, Hong Kong, Laos.

Visa rules change frequently and can depend on your specific circumstances. This site is compiled from public government sources and is provided for general information only. Always confirm requirements with the official immigration authority or a consulate of your destination before you travel.

About Benin

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the northwest, and Niger to the northeast. The majority of its population lives on the southern coastline of the Bight of Benin, part of the Gulf of Guinea in the northernmost tropical portion of the Atlantic Ocean. The capital is Porto-Novo, and the seat of government is in Cotonou, the most populous city and economic capital. Benin covers an area of 112,622 km2 (43,484 sq mi), and its population in 2026 was estimated to be approximately 15 million. It is a tropical country with an economy heavily dependent on agriculture and the exports of palm oil and cotton.

CapitalPorto-Novo

RegionWestern Africa

Population14.8M

Area112,622 km²

CurrencyWest African CFA franc (1 USD ≈ 586.73 XOF)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+229

Drives on theright

TimezonePorto-Novo (UTC+1)

Nearest airportCotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), 31 km

Emergency number112 / 117 / 118

UNESCO sites4

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$1,658 (2025)

Tourist arrivals337K (2019)

Climate in Porto-Novo

Warmest March, coolest August, driest January, sunniest December. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, August, November, December.

Monthly climate normals for Porto-Novo, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	33.9°C	22°C	3mm	313h
February	34.7°C	23.9°C	10mm	300h
March	32.4°C	25.9°C	62mm	280h
April	32.1°C	25.5°C	60mm	283h
May	31.1°C	25.1°C	140mm	296h
June	28.9°C	23.8°C	331mm	221h
July	27.6°C	23.3°C	483mm	250h
August	28.3°C	22.6°C	24mm	310h
September	28.7°C	23.5°C	208mm	241h
October	29.4°C	23.6°C	197mm	282h
November	30.9°C	24.4°C	112mm	310h
December	31.4°C	24.5°C	42mm	318h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

Benin is a country in West Africa. You'll find culture through a large collection of palatial ruins and temples of the once powerful Kingdom of Dahomey (1800s–1894). Moreover, Benin is the birthplace of Vodun (Voodoo) and all that goes with it. Vodun is the official religion of the country, and an important part of the life of ordinary Beninese. Many important tourist sites are linked to Vodun or the slave trade. The national parks of Benin are well worth a visit for their wildlife. It is also one of the most stable and safest countries in the region. With its rich history, vibrant culture, protected wildlife, Grand Popo ocean beach, and artisan market in Se, Benin is one of the best kept tourist secrets in West Africa.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Koutammakou
Royal Palace Museum
Royal Palaces of Abomey
W-Arly-Pendjari Complex

Upcoming public holidays

October 26, 2026Armed Forces Day

November 1, 2026All Saints' Day

November 30, 2026National Day

Full source list on About.

About Brunei

Brunei, officially Brunei Darussalam, is a country in Southeast Asia, situated on the northern coast of the island of Borneo. Apart from its coastline on the South China Sea, it is completely surrounded by the Malaysian state of Sarawak, with its territory bifurcated by the Sarawak district of Limbang. Brunei is the only sovereign state entirely on Borneo; the remainder of the island is divided between its multi-landmass neighbours of Malaysia and Indonesia. As of 2025, the country had a population of 466,330, being the least populated country in Asia of whom approximately 64,409 resided in the capital and largest city of Bandar Seri Begawan. Its official language is Malay, and Sunni Islam is the state religion of the country, although other religions are nominally tolerated. The government of Brunei is an absolute monarchy ruled by the Sultan, and it implements a fusion of English common law and jurisprudence inspired by Islam, including sharia.

CapitalBandar Seri Begawan

RegionSouth-Eastern Asia

Population466.3K

Area5,765 km²

CurrencyBrunei dollar, Singapore dollar (1 USD ≈ 1.28 BND)

LanguagesMalay

Calling code+673

Drives on theleft

TimezoneBrunei (UTC+8)

Nearest airportBrunei International Airport (BWN), 2 km

Emergency number991 / 993 / 995

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$32,235 (2025)

Tourist arrivals1.1M (2020)

Climate in Bandar Seri Begawan

Warmest May, coolest December, driest February, sunniest April. Best time to visit: January, February, March, April, May, August, December.

Monthly climate normals for Bandar Seri Begawan, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	29.3°C	24.7°C	187mm	297h
February	29.2°C	25°C	84mm	309h
March	30.1°C	24.6°C	134mm	301h
April	30.7°C	24.8°C	190mm	318h
May	30.7°C	25.2°C	186mm	303h
June	29.6°C	24.3°C	313mm	257h
July	29.6°C	24°C	539mm	299h
August	30.5°C	24.3°C	196mm	306h
September	29.5°C	24°C	449mm	252h
October	29.2°C	24.1°C	338mm	251h
November	29.3°C	24°C	328mm	263h
December	29.1°C	23.8°C	269mm	284h

Avg. high/low, °C (left axis) Rainfall, mm (bar maxes out at 250mm/month)

Daily normals for 2020. Hover a month for exact figures.

Travel guide

The Sultanate of Brunei is a small but, thanks to natural gas and petroleum resources, very rich country on the island of Borneo in Southeast Asia. Although Brunei is not on most travellers' radar, it is a country of tranquil mosques, pristine jungles, and friendly inhabitants. Its full name is Negara Brunei Darussalam, with Darussalam appropriately meaning "Abode of Peace".

Full source list on About.