DR CongoBenin: Visa-free

DR CongoBenin

Do DR Congo passport holders need a visa for Benin?

Visa-free

No. DR Congo passport holders do not need a visa to visit Benin for tourism for stays of up to 3 months.

No visa is required for a short tourist stay. Travel on a valid passport alone.

Source: diplomatie.gouv.bj (checked January 19, 2022).

RequirementVisa-free

Maximum stay3 months

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelNone, travel on your passport

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance1,851 km, straight line (~2h 41m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Benin57 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Benin passport holders visiting DR Congo: Visa required.

Other visa-free destinations for DR Congo passport holders

See all DR Congo destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do DR Congo passport holders need a visa for Benin?

No. DR Congo passport holders do not need a visa to visit Benin for tourism for stays of up to 3 months.

How long can DR Congo citizens stay in Benin without a visa?

Up to 3 months, for tourism, ordinary passport.

How far is Benin from DR Congo?

About 1,851 km in a straight line, roughly ~2h 41m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Benin?

West African CFA franc (XOF).

What is the emergency number in Benin?

112 / 117 / 118.

What time zone is Benin in?

Porto-Novo (UTC+1).

What is the nearest airport to Porto-Novo?

Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), about 31 km away.

How many countries can enter Benin without a visa?

57 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Benin 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 DR Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), also known as the DR Congo, Congo-Kinshasa, or simply the Congo, and formerly named Zaire, is a country in Central Africa. By land area, it is the second-largest country in Africa and the eleventh-largest in the world. With a population of about 124 million people, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is the fourth-most populous country in Africa and the most populous Francophone country in the world. French is the official and most widely spoken language. There are over 200 indigenous languages, of which Lingala is the most widely spoken. The capital, largest city, and economic center is Kinshasa. The DRC is bordered by the Republic of the Congo, the Cabinda exclave of Angola, and the South Atlantic Ocean to the west; the Central African Republic and South Sudan to the north; Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanzania to the east; and Zambia and Angola to the south. Centered on the Congo Basin, most of the DRC's terrain is covered by dense rainforests and is crossed by many rivers. The east and southeast are mountainous.

CapitalKinshasa

RegionMiddle Africa

Population112.8M

Area2,344,858 km²

CurrencyCongolese franc (1 USD ≈ 2313.90 CDF)

LanguagesFrench, Kikongo, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili

Calling code+243

Drives on theright

TimezoneKinshasa (UTC+1)

Nearest airportMaya-Maya International Airport (BZV), 11 km

Emergency number113 / 114 / 118

UNESCO sites5

Income levelLow income

GDP per capita$807 (2025)

Tourist arrivals351K (2016)

Climate in Kinshasa

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

Monthly climate normals for Kinshasa, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	29.7°C	23.4°C	199mm	276h
February	30.1°C	23.5°C	239mm	241h
March	30.7°C	23.8°C	255mm	278h
April	30.3°C	23.8°C	337mm	255h
May	29.8°C	23.5°C	116mm	302h
June	29.5°C	21.5°C	8mm	314h
July	30.2°C	20.7°C	1mm	336h
August	30.3°C	21.9°C	36mm	267h
September	31.1°C	22.8°C	40mm	283h
October	30°C	22.9°C	181mm	269h
November	28.9°C	22.9°C	257mm	259h
December	28.5°C	22.8°C	184mm	236h

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 Democratic Republic of the Congo is the largest and most populous country in Central Africa, as well as the world's largest Francophone country.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Garamba National Park
Kahuzi-Biéga National Park
Okapi Wildlife Reserve
Salonga National Park
Virunga National Park

Upcoming public holidays

December 25, 2026Christmas Day

January 1, 2027New Year's Day

January 4, 2027Martyrs Day

Full source list on About.

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.