LaosBenin: e-Visa

LaosBenin

Do Laos passport holders need a visa for Benin?

e-Visa

Yes. Laos passport holders need a visa for Benin, available online as an e-visa before travel.

An e-visa must be applied for and approved online before travel.

Source: evisa.bj (checked September 4, 2026).

Requiremente-Visa

Maximum stayLength of stay varies

ScopeTourism, ordinary passport

Action before travelYes, arrange in advance

Data as of2026-10-19

Distance10,775 km, straight line (~13h 11m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Benin57 of 242 nationalities tracked

Travelling the other way? Benin passport holders visiting Laos: Visa on arrival.

Visa-free alternatives near Benin

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

Other visa-free destinations for Laos passport holders

See all Laos destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Laos passport holders need a visa for Benin?

Yes. Laos passport holders need a visa for Benin, available online as an e-visa before travel.

How far is Benin from Laos?

About 10,775 km in a straight line, roughly ~13h 11m 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.

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

Liberia, Sierra Leone.

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 Laos

Laos, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic (LPDR), is a country in Mainland Southeast Asia, and the only landlocked country in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by Myanmar and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the southeast, and Thailand to the west and southwest. Laos has a population of more than 7.5 million, and its capital and most populous city is Vientiane. It has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the town of Luang Prabang, the temple complex of Vat Phou, and the Plain of Jars. Laos participates in the Greater Mekong Subregion economic cooperation programme and is a member of ASEAN, the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement, East Asia Summit, La Francophonie, and the World Trade Organization.

CapitalVientiane

RegionSouth-Eastern Asia

Population7.9M

Area236,800 km²

CurrencyLao kip (1 USD ≈ 22329.65 LAK)

LanguagesLao

Calling code+856

Drives on theright

TimezoneVientiane (UTC+7)

Nearest airportWattay International Airport (VTE), 78 km

Emergency number190 / 191 / 195

UNESCO sites4

Income levelLower middle income

GDP per capita$2,325 (2025)

Tourist arrivals886.4K (2020)

Climate in Vientiane

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

Monthly climate normals for Vientiane, 2020
Month	High	Low	Rainfall	Sunshine
January	28.4°C	17.9°C	4mm	332h
February	29.8°C	17.7°C	2mm	317h
March	32°C	21.1°C	135mm	315h
April	32.2°C	22.1°C	82mm	291h
May	34.8°C	24.4°C	177mm	315h
June	30.2°C	23.3°C	382mm	266h
July	30.7°C	23.3°C	395mm	288h
August	28.7°C	23.1°C	581mm	177h
September	29.6°C	23°C	384mm	240h
October	28°C	21.4°C	136mm	241h
November	29.3°C	19.7°C	5mm	304h
December	26.9°C	15.5°C	1mm	317h

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

Laos is the only landlocked nation in Southeast Asia. Laos is rich in both the diversity of its people and its landscapes.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Champasak cultural landscape
Hin Nam No National Protected Area
Luang Prabang
Plain of Jars

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.