BeninLatvia: Visa required

BeninLatvia

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for Latvia?

Visa required

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

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

Source: eur-lex.europa.eu (checked September 3, 2026).

RequirementVisa required

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance5,917 km, straight line (~7h 28m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Latvia138 of 242 nationalities tracked

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

Other visa-free destinations for Benin passport holders

See all Benin destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Benin passport holders need a visa for Latvia?

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

How far is Latvia from Benin?

About 5,917 km in a straight line, roughly ~7h 28m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Latvia?

Euro (EUR).

What is the emergency number in Latvia?

110 / 112 / 113.

What time zone is Latvia in?

Riga (UTC+3).

What is the nearest airport to Riga?

Riga International Airport (RIX), about 9 km away.

How many countries can enter Latvia without a visa?

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

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 ≈ 584.37 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	21.9°C	3mm	313h
February	34.8°C	23.9°C	10mm	300h
March	32.4°C	25.7°C	62mm	280h
April	32.1°C	25.3°C	60mm	283h
May	31.2°C	25°C	140mm	296h
June	29°C	23.7°C	331mm	221h
July	27.7°C	23.2°C	483mm	250h
August	28.3°C	22.5°C	24mm	310h
September	28.7°C	23.4°C	208mm	241h
October	29.4°C	23.5°C	197mm	282h
November	31°C	24.4°C	112mm	310h
December	31.5°C	24.4°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 Latvia

Latvia, officially the Republic of Latvia, is a country in the Baltic region of northern Europe. It is one of the three Baltic states, along with Estonia to the north and Lithuania to the south. It borders Russia to the east and Belarus to the southeast and shares a maritime border with Sweden to the west. Latvia covers an area of 64,573 km2 (24,932 sq mi), with a population of 1.83 million. The country has a temperate seasonal climate. Its capital and largest city is Riga. Latvians, who are the titular nation and comprise 65.5% of the country's population, belong to the ethnolinguistic group of the Balts and speak Latvian. Russians are the most prominent minority in the country, at almost a quarter of the population; 37.7% of the population speak Russian as their native tongue.

CapitalRiga

RegionNorthern Europe

Population1.8M

Area64,559 km²

CurrencyEuro (1 USD ≈ 0.89 EUR)

LanguagesLatvian

Calling code+371

Drives on theright

TimezoneRiga (UTC+3)

Nearest airportRiga International Airport (RIX), 9 km

Emergency number110 / 112 / 113

UNESCO sites3

Income levelHigh income

GDP per capita$26,312 (2025)

Tourist arrivals3.2M (2020)

Climate in Riga

Warmest June, coolest December, driest April, sunniest July.

Monthly climate normals for Riga, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	5°C	1.5°C	30mm	80h
February	5°C	-0.2°C	50mm	139h
March	7°C	-0.6°C	46mm	239h
April	9.8°C	2°C	25mm	320h
May	13.8°C	5.3°C	42mm	390h
June	23.4°C	13.8°C	113mm	380h
July	20.6°C	12.3°C	105mm	420h
August	21.8°C	12.8°C	64mm	339h
September	19°C	11.8°C	70mm	278h
October	12.9°C	7.6°C	85mm	178h
November	7.7°C	3.7°C	41mm	89h
December	2°C	-1°C	31mm	40h

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

Latvia is one of the three Baltic states in Europe. The biggest travel destination in the country is the capital Riga, whose Old Town is a World Heritage Site. There are many other great places to see, both urban and rural. Latvia's unspoilt sea coast is a 500-km-long unique biome, mainly consisting of empty beaches, white soft sand, and dunes covered with pine trees. Forests cover approximately half of Latvia's territory and are home to many nature trails, nature parks and wildlife preserves. The city of Liepāja with its magnificent beach and the unique formerly secret military neighbourhood of Karosta, Kuldīga, recognised in 2023 as a UNESCO world heritage site, with Europe's widest waterfall, and Cēsis with its medieval castle ruins are just some of the various sights.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Old town of Kuldīga
Struve Geodetic Arc
Vecrīga

Upcoming public holidays

November 18, 2026Latvijas Republikas Proklamēšanas diena

December 24, 2026Ziemassvētku vakars

December 25, 2026Pirmie Ziemassvētki

Full source list on About.