BeninFrench Polynesia: Visa required

BeninFrench Polynesia

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for French Polynesia?

Visa required

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

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

Source: en.wikipedia.org (checked September 4, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-14

Distance16,757 km, straight line (~20h 13m nonstop)

Visa-free access to French Polynesia126 of 243 nationalities tracked

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

Visa-free alternatives near French Polynesia

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 French Polynesia?

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

How far is French Polynesia from Benin?

About 16,757 km in a straight line, roughly ~20h 13m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in French Polynesia?

CFP franc (XPF).

What is the emergency number in French Polynesia?

112.

What time zone is French Polynesia in?

Tahiti (UTC-10).

What is the nearest airport to Papeete?

Fa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), about 4 km away.

How many countries can enter French Polynesia without a visa?

126 of the 243 nationalities this site tracks can enter French Polynesia visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA.

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

Samoa, Tuvalu, Micronesia.

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 French Polynesia

French Polynesia is an overseas collectivity of France and its sole overseas country; it is classified as a non-self-governing territory by the United Nations. It comprises 121 geographically dispersed islands and atolls stretching over more than 2,000 kilometres (1,200 mi) in the South Pacific Ocean. French Polynesia is associated with the European Union as an overseas country and territory (OCT). The total land area of French Polynesia is 3,521 square kilometres (1,359 sq mi), with a population of 282,596 as of September 2025 of which at least 205,000 live in the Society Islands and the remaining population lives in the rest of the archipelago.

CapitalPapeete

RegionPolynesia

Population282.5K

Area4,167 km²

CurrencyCFP franc (1 USD ≈ 106.74 XPF)

LanguagesFrench

Calling code+689

Drives on theright

TimezoneTahiti (UTC-10)

Nearest airportFa'a'ā International Airport (PPT), 4 km

Emergency number112

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$22,440 (2024)

Tourist arrivals89.4K (2020)

Climate in Papeete

Warmest April, coolest July, driest September, sunniest September. Best time to visit: April, May, June, July, August, September, October.

Monthly climate normals for Papeete, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	28.4°C	25°C	385mm	322h
February	28.2°C	25°C	530mm	297h
March	29°C	25.4°C	324mm	300h
April	29.1°C	25.6°C	176mm	309h
May	28.4°C	25.1°C	155mm	303h
June	26.9°C	23.4°C	216mm	274h
July	26.2°C	23.1°C	294mm	285h
August	26.3°C	22.8°C	194mm	327h
September	27.3°C	23.3°C	83mm	350h
October	26.9°C	23.6°C	254mm	340h
November	27.3°C	24.1°C	383mm	313h
December	27.2°C	24°C	449mm	275h

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

French Polynesia is a collection of over 100 islands in the South Pacific Ocean, halfway between California and Australia. It is an overseas country, the only French territory with this status.

Upcoming public holidays

November 1, 2026Toussaint

November 11, 2026Armistice

November 20, 2026Matari'i

Full source list on About.