MaldivesBenin: e-Visa

MaldivesBenin

Do Maldives passport holders need a visa for Benin?

e-Visa

Yes. Maldives 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

Distance7,846 km, straight line (~9h 44m nonstop)

Visa-free access to Benin57 of 242 nationalities tracked

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

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

Visa-free alternatives near Benin

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

Other visa-free destinations for Maldives passport holders

See all Maldives destinations →

Frequently asked questions

Do Maldives passport holders need a visa for Benin?

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

How far is Benin from Maldives?

About 7,846 km in a straight line, roughly ~9h 44m nonstop by air.

What currency is used in Benin?

West African CFA franc (XOF).

What is the emergency number in Benin?

112 / 117 / 118.

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

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

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 Maldives 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 Maldives

The Maldives, officially the Republic of Maldives, and historically known as the Maldive Islands, is an archipelagic country in South Asia, located in the Indian Ocean, near the southeastern boundary of the Arabian Sea. The Maldives is located southwest of India and Sri Lanka, about 750 kilometres from the Asian continent's mainland. The Maldives' chain of 26 atolls stretches across the equator from Ihavandhippolhu Atoll in the north to Addu Atoll in the south.

CapitalMale

RegionSouthern Asia

Population529.7K

Area300 km²

CurrencyMaldivian rufiyaa (1 USD ≈ 15.43 MVR)

LanguagesMaldivian

Calling code+960

Drives on theleft

TimezoneMaldives (UTC+5)

Nearest airportVelana International Airport (MLE), 3 km

Emergency number102 / 118 / 119

Income levelUpper middle income

GDP per capita$14,615 (2025)

Tourist arrivals555K (2020)

Travel guide

The Maldives are a chain of low-lying coral islands in the Indian Ocean with picture-perfect beaches, strikingly blue water, and luxury resorts. There are 200 inhabited islands and 165 islands with tourist resorts. Just under the surface of the beautiful blue ocean, there's a wealth of wildlife to see: over 2000 species of fish in all colours of the rainbow roam the clear waters around the islands.

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.