# Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for Benin?

## Answer
Yes. United Kingdom passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Benin.

- Requirement: Visa required
- Maximum stay: Length of stay varies
- Scope: Tourism, ordinary passport
- Action before travel: Yes, arrange in advance
- Data confidence: unverified

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

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

- Distance between capitals: 5,013 km, straight line (~6h 24m nonstop)
- Visa-free access context: 57 of 242 nationalities tracked

## Sources and freshness
- Canonical URL: https://visafreemap.com/visa/united-kingdom/benin/
- Data as of: 2026-10-19
- Official source: [gov.uk](https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/benin/entry-requirements) (checked July 18, 2026)

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.

## Frequently asked questions
### Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for Benin?
Yes. United Kingdom passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Benin.

### How far is Benin from United Kingdom?
About 5,013 km in a straight line, roughly ~6h 24m 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 United Kingdom?
Benin drives on the right, the opposite side to United Kingdom. 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 United Kingdom passport holders visit without a visa instead of Benin?
São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Angola.


```json
[
  {
    "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
    "itemListElement": [
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 1,
        "name": "Home",
        "item": "https://visafreemap.com/"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 2,
        "name": "United Kingdom passport",
        "item": "https://visafreemap.com/passport/united-kingdom/"
      },
      {
        "@type": "ListItem",
        "position": 3,
        "name": "Visa for Benin"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "mainEntity": [
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "Do United Kingdom passport holders need a visa for Benin?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Yes. United Kingdom passport holders need to obtain a visa in advance before travelling to Benin."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "How far is Benin from United Kingdom?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "About 5,013 km in a straight line, roughly ~6h 24m nonstop by air."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "What currency is used in Benin?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "West African CFA franc (XOF)."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "What is the emergency number in Benin?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "112 / 117 / 118."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "Does Benin drive on the same side of the road as United Kingdom?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Benin drives on the right, the opposite side to United Kingdom. If you're renting a car, budget extra care at first, especially at junctions and roundabouts."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "What time zone is Benin in?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Porto-Novo (UTC+1)."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "What is the nearest airport to Porto-Novo?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "Cotonou Cadjehoun International Airport (COO), about 31 km away."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "How many countries can enter Benin without a visa?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "57 of the 242 nationalities this site tracks can enter Benin visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with an eTA."
        }
      },
      {
        "@type": "Question",
        "name": "What nearby countries can United Kingdom passport holders visit without a visa instead of Benin?",
        "acceptedAnswer": {
          "@type": "Answer",
          "text": "São Tomé and Príncipe, Sierra Leone, Angola."
        }
      }
    ]
  }
]
```