Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.
Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.
Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).
Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.
Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.
| Visa Classification |
Fee | Number of Entries |
Validity Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| A-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| A-3 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| B-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| B-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| B-1/B-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-1/D | None | One | 3 Months |
| C-2 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| C-3 | None | Multiple | 12 Months |
| CW-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| CW-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| D | None | One | 3 Months |
| E-1 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2 2 | No Treaty | N/A | N/A |
| E-2C | None | One | 3 Months |
| F-1 | $650.00 | One | 3 Months |
| F-2 | $650.00 | One | 3 Months |
| G-1 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-2 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-3 | None | One | 60 Months |
| G-4 | None | Multiple | 60 Months |
| G-5 1 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| H-1B | $636.00 | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-1C | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2A | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2B | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-2R | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| H-4 | $636.00 | One | 3 Months 3 |
| I | $62.00 | One | 3 Months |
| J-1 4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| J-2 4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| K-1 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-2 | None | One | 6 Months |
| K-3 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| K-4 | None | Multiple | 24 Months |
| L-1 | $42.00 | One | 3 Months |
| L-2 | $42.00 | One | 3 Months |
| M-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| M-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| N-8 | None | One | 3 Months |
| N-9 | None | One | 3 Months |
| NATO 1-7 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| O-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| O-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-1 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-2 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-3 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| P-4 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| Q-1 6 | None | One | 3 Months 3 |
| R-1 | $487.00 | One | 3 Months |
| R-2 | $487.00 | One | 3 Months |
| S-5 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-6 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| S-7 7 | None | One | 1 Month |
| T-1 9 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| T-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-5 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-6 | None | One | 3 Months |
| T-D 5 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| U-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-2 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-3 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-4 | None | One | 3 Months |
| U-5 | None | One | 3 Months |
| V-1 | None | One | 3 Months |
| V-2 | None | One | 3 Months 8 |
| V-3 | None | One | 3 Months 8 |
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:
An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty. *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used. **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.
*Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.
**Example 2: Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.
The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.
Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.
Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.
There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.
Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.
In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).
However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.
Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.
Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.
Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.
Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.
Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.
No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.
V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.
Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:
The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.
The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.
In 2017, the Government of Benin started a program called RAVIP (Recensement Administrative à Vocation d’Identification de la Population) to give every Beninese citizen a personal identification number (NIP) through a secured biometric database. Over 10 million people were entered into this database, and their personal identification number remains with them for life. This number is required to get official civil documents in Benin.
In 2018, Benin began issuing secure civil documents, including birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates, national ID cards (ECOWAS cards), Certificates of Personal Identification (CIP) and Certificates of Personal Identification Number (NPI or FID) through the National Agency for the Identification of People (ANIP).
In 2021, under law number 2020-34 of January 6, 2021, the Government ended the use of civil status registers and event declaration books previously maintained by local authorities. All civil documents issued after this date had to be issued by ANIP. These documents contain an individual’s person identification number (numéro d’identification personnel or NIP) and can be obtained through ANIP offices (located in city hall offices or local districts), on the ANIP website (eservices.anip.bj/verifier-document) or through the ANIPBJ app. For marriage certificates, the NIPs of the witnesses are also included.
ANIP-issued documents, except for the ECOWAS card, can be verified online or on the ANIPBJ app. Documents that can be verified include:
To verify a document, users must upload a photo or PDF of the document. ANIP-issued documents are similar in appearance and contain digitized signatures of the mayor where the event took place (See marriage and birth certificate sections for forthcoming changes to the official signature). ANIP-issued documents also contain two QR codes at the top of the document, but scanning the QR codes does not yet direct the user to an URL. ANIP is working on enabling this feature.
Typically, the person requesting a civil document must be the bearer of the document. If a document is requested on someone’s behalf, ANIP requires permission from the bearer to release the document.
Biometrics are currently taken for people aged 5 and above. Once biometrics are completed and a NIP is issued, many identity and other documents can be requested online through the Beninese government’s service-public.bj website, the ANIPBJ app or the ANIP website. These include residency cards, passports, national identity cards, identity certificates, and police certificates. Some requests may still require in-person processing.
Documents issued prior to 2021 are still valid, but ANIP-issued documents are required for certain activities, such as getting a passport or opening a bank account. Older documents are not linked to a NIP or biometrics, may be handwritten or typed, and lack the security features of ANIP-issued documents.
Beninese citizens living outside the country who have not completed biometrics or been issued a NIP cannot obtain ANIP civil documents online or through the app. For example, a Beninese citizen in the United States would need to visit the Beninese embassy in Washington, D.C., to complete biometrics and get a NIP before they can request documents from ANIP.
Beninese law includes penalties for people who misuse the document process. For example:
The main laws governing civil documents in Benin are:
Law No. 2002-07 of August 24, 2004, Persons and Family Code, updated by Law No. 2021-13 of December 20, 2021.
Law No. 2020-34 of January 6, 2001, A special law or regulation simplifying procedures and enabling electronic management of civil records.
Available
Fees: FCFA 1,000 (ANIP)
Document Name: Acte de Naissance
Issuing Authority: ANIP
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The ANIP-issued document is formatted to be printed on A4 paper, although paper size may vary when the document is obtained via the ANIPBJ app or website and printed by requestors.
Two QR codes are located at the top of the document. The QR code on the right is used as part of the verification process on the ANIP app or website.
The birth certificate includes a digital signature of the mayor of the city where the person was born. That signature appears on top of the city hall stamp. Reconstituted versions of the birth certificate (See Alternative Documents) may say “Illisible” (unreadable) where the mayor’s signature should be. This language is used on birth certificates where the mayor at the time of the birth is no longer in office. ANIP intends to update its procedures and to begin issuing reconstituted birth certificates that include the mayor of the city at the time of document issuance.
A dotted line runs along the right side of the document. If the document contains any notes or annotations, they will appear on the right side of this dotted line. The Government of Benin does not require notes to be added to civil documents. It also permits a requestor to receive a civil document with or without notes. Therefore, notes often are not present, even if a life event, such as death or divorce, has occurred.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: ANIP. See Exceptions for non-ANIP issued birth certificates.
Registration Criteria: For a child born in a medical facility, birth attendants with the designated authority from the Government must declare a birth within 30 days. This step is completed by phone. The birth attendant will then go to ANIP and obtain a declaration number. The child is not required to have a name at this stage. The birth registration can be completed by the parent(s) with ANIP once the birth attendant has completed the declaration process and has provided the declaration number to the parents. The father of the child can only be declared through submission of a marriage certificate or a declaration of paternity (attestation de paternité).
Procedure for Obtaining: An adult can request a birth certificate from ANIP via a local ANIP office, the ANIP website or the ANIPBJ app. Parents of a minor can do the same.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. The ANIP-issued document can be requested as often as needed. Photocopies can also be verified on the ANIP website or ANIPBJ app.
Alternate Documents: Below are other types of birth certificates issued by ANIP. Formatting and appearance are similar to regular ANIP-issued birth certificates.
(1) Acte de Naissance Par Reconstitution - This is a birth certificate that is reconstituted from a birth certificate that was issued by an authorized authority prior to the creation of ANIP or prior to the 2021 law requiring that these be issued by ANIP. These types of birth certificates may also be issued based on a court judgement. Beninese nationals born prior to 2021 will generally have this type of birth certificate. Reasons for obtaining a birth certificate based on a court judgement may include a lost birth certificate (prior to official registration with ANIP) or a birth that was never registered. For birth certificates issued based on a court judgement, the document will include a number attributed to the court ruling.
(2) Acte de Naissance avec mention marginale - This is a birth certificate that includes annotations.
(3) Acte de Naissance Par Transcription - Extrait Intégral. This is a birth certificate that is transcribed from a foreign birth certificate. The format of this document is similar to the regular ANIP birth certificate, but the foreign birth certificate’s name and number(s) will appear at the top of the document.
Exceptions: Handwritten or typed birth certificates are still in circulation for events that took place prior to April 2021. These do not contain the security features that are required for issuance of ANIP civil documents (biometrics capture for people age five and above and a personal identification number). In addition, these cannot be verified as easily.
These documents will have varying formats. They may be signed by the mayor of the city where the child was born, or the district leader (chef d’arrondissement). These older birth certificates may be referenced as Extrait d’acte de Naissance, Volet Nᵒ1, or Souche. See General Comments for more information on the Government of Benin’s efforts to have all Beninese nationals obtain ANIP-issued, secured civil documents.
Comments: ANIP-issued birth certificates can be verified online at eservices.anip.bj/verifier-document or on the ANIPBJ app, available on Google play or Apple. See General Documents above for more information on ANIP-issued documents.
Available
Fees: CFA 2,000
Document Name: Acte de Décès
Issuing Authority: ANIP
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The ANIP-issued document is formatted to be printed on A4 paper, although paper size may vary when the document is obtained via the ANIPBJ app or website and printed by requestors.
Two QR codes are located at the top of the document. The QR code on the right is used as part of the verification process on the ANIP app or website.
For non-ANIP issued death certificates, stamps are placed on the original document by the issuing official, but there is no standard or uniform stamp. Certified copies are available which include a tax stamp, but the appearance of these stamps varies between issuing offices, and from year to year.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: ANIP
Registration Criteria: Deaths are registered at ANIP using the death declaration issued by the medical doctor/facility. For deaths that took place outside of a medical facility, the head of the neighborhood or locality will provide a death attestation. The family of the decedent will present this documentation to ANIP for issuance of an initial death certificate.
Procedure for Obtaining: After initial registration, the death certificate can be obtained through an ANIP office, ANIPBJ app or the ANIP website. The person seeking the death certificate must establish that they are an interested party.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. The ANIP-issued document can be requested as often as needed. Photocopies can also be verified on the ANIP website or ANIPBJ app.
Alternate Documents:
(1) Acte de Décès Par Reconstitution – This is a death certificate issued by ANIP that is issued based on a death certificate that was issued by a local authority, rather than ANIP. Normally this would be for a death that took place prior to April 2021.
(2) Certificat de non-inscription/non- enregistrement de décès (Certificate of non- registration of death) is available through ANIP.
Exceptions: Handwritten or typed death certificates are still in circulation for deaths that took place prior to April 2021. These certificates do not contain the security features of ANIP death certificates and cannot be verified as easily. These death certificates will have varying formats and be signed by the mayor of the city where the person lived before they died, or the district leader (chef d’arrondissement).
Comments: Deaths that occurred after April 2021 should be evidenced by an ANIP-issued death certificate. See General Documents for more information.
ANIP-issued death certificates can be verified online at eservices.anip.bj/verifier-document or on the ANIPBJ app, available on Google play or Apple. See General Documents above for more information on ANIP-issued documents.
The law states that a death should be declared within 15 days of the event, but the law also has procedures in place to obtain death certificates after the 15 days.
Available
Fees: FCFA 2,000
Document Name: Acte de Mariage
Issuing Authority: ANIP
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The ANIP-issued document is formatted to be printed on A4 paper, although paper size may vary when the document is obtained via the ANIPBJ app or website and printed by requestors.
Two QR codes are located at the top of the document. The QR code on the right is used as part of the verification process on the ANIP app or website.
The marriage certificate includes a digital signature of the current mayor of the city where the marriage was registered. That signature appears on top of the city hall stamp. Some versions of the marriage certificate may say “Illisible” (unreadable) where the Mayor’s signature should be. Previously this language was used on documents when a Mayor who had authorized the marriage certificate was no longer in office. ANIP now issues these with the name of the mayor in office at the time of the document certificate issuance. Additionally, ANIP intends to change the signature on marriage certificates to include the name of the person who celebrated the marriage, as opposed to the mayor. The date of this update is not known. The person celebrating a marriage can include a district leader (chef d’arrondissement).
If the document contains any annotations, they will appear on the right side of the document. The Government of Benin does not require that annotations be added to civil documents. A requestor can also request a document with or without annotations from ANIP. Therefore, annotations often are not present, even if a life event, such as death or divorce, has occurred.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: ANIP
Registration Criteria: A couple seeking to be married must make an application for marriage. A notice of intent to marry (Publication des bans) is placed at the government office where the marriage is to take place, giving people an opportunity to oppose the marriage. Each intending spouse must submit documentation that they are not married and are free to marry. The officer celebrating the marriage must request evidence of prior marriages and proof of marriage terminations, if applicable.
Procedure for Obtaining: Marriage declarations are issued at the local government office where the marriage took place. After the celebration of marriage and receipt of the marriage declaration, marriage certificates should be obtained through an ANIP office, ANIP website or the ANIPBJ application.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available. The ANIP-issued document can be requested as often as needed. Photocopies can also be verified on the ANIP website or ANIPBJ app.
Alternate Documents: Acte de mariage par reconstitution. This is a marriage certificate issued by ANIP that is issued based on a marriage certificate that was issued by a local authority, rather than ANIP. Normally this would be for marriages that took place prior to April 2021.
Exceptions: Previous versions of the marriage certificate are still in circulation and are valid documents. The document may include various titles including Extrait d’Acte de Mariage, Volet Nᵒ1, or Souche. These may be handwritten or typed and have various formats. For non-ANIP issued marriage certificates, stamps are placed on the original document by the issuing official, but there is no standard stamp. Certified copies of these alternate marriage certificates are available and also will include stamps of various formats. They may be signed by the mayor of the city where the marriage took place or the district leader (chef d’arrondissement).
Comments: Persons married in Benin after April 2021 should have an ANIP-issued marriage certificate. People who married before April 2021 can, and should, still obtain the ANIP issued marriage certificate.
ANIP-issued marriage certificates can be verified online at eservices.anip.bj/verifier-document or on the ANIPBJ app, available on Google play or Apple. See General Documents above for more information on ANIP-issued documents.
Benin only recognizes civil marriages. Customary, traditional and religious marriages are performed in Benin but are not recognized under Beninese law.
Available
Fees: FCFA 10,000
Document Name: Jugement de Divorce
Issuing Authority: The court that authorized the divorce.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seal(s)/color/format. These are issued by various Courts of First Instance in Benin whose formatting is not identical.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Tribunal de premiere instance (Court of First Instance). The presiding judge and court clerk’s names and signatures will appear on the judgment.
Registration Criteria: Marriage certificate, birth certificates of all children, specifically those who are still minors, proof of residence of the requestor (attestation de residence), payment receipt.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the court that issued the divorce judgement.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Divorce judgements are issued by Courts of First Instance, of which there are many in Benin. Language will be similar, however, and judgments will consist of multiple pages. The number of pages will depend on the issues that were raised during proceedings (i.e.: child custody, visiting, rights of the custodial parent). Divorce judgments issued by courts in Benin are not single page documents.
The law recognizes fault and no fault (mutual consent) divorce in Benin. Religious and traditional marriages are not legally recognized in Benin and will therefore not be terminated through a divorce judgement issued by a Beninese court.
Available
Fees: 3,000 CFA. This is the fee to make the adoption request before the court.
Document Name: Jugement d’adoption, Jugement d’adoption simple.
Issuing Authority: The court that receives and hears the adoption request. The court may be a court designated for children’s issues (Tribunal pour enfants) or Tribunal de Premiere Instance de Cotonou (Cotonou Court of First Instance).
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: These are multi-page documents and will depend on the issues at hand and on the judge overseeing the case.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Tribunal de premiere instance (Court of First Instance) or Tribunal pour enfants (Children’s Court), the presiding judge and court clerk’s names and signatures will appear on the judgment.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the court that approved the adoption.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Benin law recognizes simple and plenary adoptions.
Available
Fees: FCFA 6,000
Document Name: Carte d’Identité CEDEAO/ECOWAS card (often referred to as La Carte Nationale d’Identité Biométrique)
Issuing Authority: ANIP
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: These cards are predominantly yellow and green with many security features They include a person’s personal identification number (NIP). Requestors need biometrics captured to obtain this card. They are valid for five years.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Per the law, every Beninese national age 18 and over must possess this card. Minors may also obtain these if requested by their parent or guardian.
Procedure for Obtaining: Presentation of a secure birth certificate to obtain this ID card.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: Certificat d’Identification Personnelle (Personal Identification Certificate)
Exceptions: There are other acceptable ID cards in Benin. Nationals can use the Certificat d’Identification Personnelle (CIP). Residents can use the Certificat d’Identification Personnelle du Resident (CIP-R) or a residency card known as a Carte de Sejour.
Available
Fees: FCFA 1,000
Document Name: Certificat d’Identification Personnelle (Personal Identification Certificate). Referred to as “CIP”.
Issuing Authority: ANIP
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It is larger than a passport book. It contains a large QR code on the right side. In addition to the biographical data of the bearer, it also contains the name of the bearer’s parents.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Beninese and non- Beninese nationals can obtain this if they have a Personal Identification Number (NIP) and completed biometrics. When issued to non-Beninese nationals, the card is called Certificat d’Identification Personnelle du Resident (Personal Identification Certificate for a Resident). These cards indicate that the bearer is a resident.
Procedure for Obtaining: ANIP office, ANIPBJ app or the ANIP website.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: This document can be used as identification in Benin. It cannot be used for travel. It includes a photo and a personal identification number (NIP). It includes a QR code and can be verified via the ANIP BJ app or the ANIP website. Bearers of this card often laminate it after printing to preserve it.
The CIP document issued to non- Beninese residents is called the Carte d’identification personnelle du resident, “CIP-R”.
The CIP document issued to people who obtained Beninese citizenship through Benin’s September 2024 Afro- descendants law receive a Certificat d’identification personnelle du Afro-descendants, “CIP-A”. The CIP, CIP-R and CIP-A are not residency cards. The CIP is proof that a person has completed biometrics and has received a personal identification number. It can be used as identification in Benin, however, non- Beninese nationals residing in Benin for more than three months are required to have the ECOWAS card.
The CIP can be verified online at eservices.anip.bj/verifier-document or on the ANIPBJ app, available on Google play or Apple. See General Documents above for more information on ANIP-issued documents.
Available
Fees: FCFA 1,900
Document Name: Casier Judiciaire B3 (“B” refers to Bulletin)
Issuing Authority: Ministry of Justice
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The document has the “Fraternité, Justice et Travail” country emblem at the top left and in the center background of the document. The document contains a reference number which can be used to verify it.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Director of the National Center for Judicial Records.
Registration Criteria: All Beninese citizens, foreigners residing or having resided in Benin may request a police certificate. The document says that it is valid for three months from the date of issuance.
Procedure for Obtaining: Requested online at https://service-public.bj/public/services/service/PS00373. When individuals request the casier judiciaire, they must provide biographical information. This biographical information is used to match them to existing judicial or police records. The results in the casier judiciaire come directly from a centralized government database.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: Police record (less commonly seen). See below.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: The casier judiciaire is requested by individuals for educational, employment and immigration purposes. There are two other types of casiers judiciaires issued in Benin, which cannot be requested by private citizens:
Available
Fees: FCFA 10,000
Document Name: Attestation de Police
Issuing Authority: Judicial Police Department
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: It includes a photo of the requestor and is issued on normal A4 sized paper.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Principal Police Commissioner
Registration Criteria: Police records are available to all Beninese citizens and to foreigners currently residing or who have previously resided in Benin.
Procedure for Obtaining: To obtain a Police Record, submit a request to the local police.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: This document request includes a search of information from a database that consolidates all law enforcement interactions, excluding traffic violations. It takes much longer to obtain than the police clearance/casier judiciaire referenced above and is much more expensive. It is a document that indicates whether a person is known to the police.
Available
Fees: The cost of the fee is unknown.
Document Name: The document name is unknown.
Issuing Authority: The court that rendered the decision. The National Criminal Records Center (Centre National de Casier Judicaire) intends to centralize criminal court decisions but has not yet completed this process.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Court judgments tend to have various types of stamps which vary by courts.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: These are usually signed by the court clerk and the presiding judge.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Anyone can request these if they have a reason for the request and court reference information.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: Court records concerning a minor accused of a crime may not be available.
Comments: Court records are available to interested parties. Normally, third parties will not be able to obtain court documents.
Available
Fees: The cost of the fee is unknown.
Document Name: Attestions de Mise en Liberté
Issuing Authority: Prison of confinement. However, Benin’s Prison Administration (Agence Pénitentiaire du Benin (APB)) is centralizing these. Once centralized, requestors will be able to seek these directly from APB rather than the prison where they were confined.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color format. This document will include the length of time served in prison and the reasons for time served (convictions).
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: The issuing authority personnel title is unknown.
Registration Criteria: The registration criteria are unknown.
Procedure for Obtaining: Any released prisoner should be able to obtain this document.
Certified Copies: Certified copy availability is unknown.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available
Fees: There are no fees.
Document Name: Certificat du Service Militaire
Issuing Authority: Chef de Corps
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seal(s)/ color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Chef de Corps
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should submit a request to the Chef de Corps.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are available.
Alternate Documents: Certificat de bonne conduite
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: Certificates, diplomas and end-of-internship certificates.
At the end of each internship, a certificate or diploma is issued, depending on the quality of the internship or training. These certificates are issued at the closing ceremony. They are signed jointly by the director of the school or training center and the Chief of the General Staff for the joint training, or the chiefs of staff of the different armies with regard to the training specific to each army.
Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, Haaj): Regular, Diplomatic, Official
Fees: FCFA 30,000
Document Name: Passeport Ordinaire
Issuing Government Authority: Direction de l’Emigration et de l’Immigration, D.E.I. Cotonou
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Green book. As of December 2024, passports contain a hard biographical page, consisting of 32 pages and are valid for six years. Older passports, without the hard biographical page, are still in circulation. These contain either pink or green pages and are valid for six years. Haaj passports are issued by the same entity and are valid for one year. They have the same appearance as ordinary passports but say “Special Hadj” across each passport page.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: There are no registration criteria.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applications are made online at https://epasseport.service-public.bj/ and at the Immigration Office.
Alternate Documents: A Laissez-passer document can be issued to Beninese nationals abroad for travel back to Benin.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Other Documents Available: Emergency passports are available and are valid for one year. They contain 33 pages.
Fees: FCFA 30,000 for the service passport, FCFA 35,000 for the diplomatic passport.
Document Name: Passeport de service / Passeport diplomatique
Issuing Government Authority: Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Diplomatic passports are red. Service passports are dark blue. Diplomatic passports are generally valid for five years and contain 31 pages. Service passports are generally valid for five years and contain 31 pages. These two passport types are biometric passports.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: For Diplomatic Passport, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, For Service passports, the Deputy Permanent Secretary (Secretaire General Adjoint).
Registration Criteria: Must meet the government’s requirements to obtain one of these passports.
Procedure for Obtaining: Applications are made online at www.service-public.bj.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Available
Fees: 20,000 CFA to 800,000 CFA
Fees vary based on the type of card requested and whether a person is from the ECOWAS zone.
Document name: Carte de Sejour
Issuing Authority: Ministry of the Interior and Public Security, Office of Emigration and Immigration.
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: This is an ID card approximately the size of a U.S. drivers license.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Any foreigner over the age of 18 residing in Benin. A residency card is required for any foreigner whose stay in Benin will exceed three months, except for most minors under 18, diplomats, and similar persons.
Various residency cards are issued in Benin including:
Procedure for Obtaining: Application can be made online at Portail National des services publics du Bénin but the cards must be collected at the Office of Emigration and Immigration. Required documentation is listed on the aforementioned website.
The ordinary residency card requires that a person has been issued the one-year temporary card twice. The main requirements for the 10-year residency card are residence in Benin of more than 10 years at the time of application and entry into Benin when under 35 years of age.
Certified Copies: Certified copies are not available.
Alternate Documents: Service or Diplomatic ID card. Some people may also have the CIP-R (personal identification document.
Exceptions: Minors (under 18) residing in Benin are not required to have this.
Comments: The residency card can be verified online at eservices.anip.bj/verifier-document or on the ANIPBJ app, available on Google play or Apple. See General Documents above for more information on ANIP-issued documents.
Available
Fees: 2,000 CFA
Document Name: Certificat de Coutume et de Célibat (Certificate of Single Status)
Issuing Authority: ANIP
Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There is no special seal(s)/color/format.
Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title.
Registration Criteria: Any single Beninese national who completed biometrics and received a personal identification number may request this document from ANIP.
Procedure for Obtaining: A person can obtain this through an ANIP office, the ANIP website or the ANIPBJ app.
Certified Copies: Certified copies may be available.
Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents.
Exceptions: There are no exceptions.
Comments: This document is generally required for Beninese nationals seeking to marry in Benin.
Post Title: U.S. Embassy in Benin
Address: B.P. 2012
Cotonou, Benin
Phone Number: (229) 21-30-06-50
21-36-75-00
21-30-17-92
Email: IVcotonou@state.gov
All Non-immigrant and Immigrant visa for Benin.
Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.
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