Family Reunification Residence Permit (Loi n° 2022-18)

To qualify for this permit, you must be a close relative of a "sponsor" who is already legally established in Benin.

The Sponsor

Your sponsor in Benin must hold one of the following statuses:

• Beninese Citizenship.
• A Permanent Residence Permit (PRP).
• A Temporary Residence Permit that is valid for at least one more year.

Eligible Dependents

Only specific family members qualify under the reunification category:

• Spouses: You must be legally married to the sponsor. While Benin recognizes monogamous marriages as the standard for immigration, specific documented unions may be considered.
• Minor Children: Children under the age of 18. This is extended to age 21 if the child is a student and remains financially dependent on the sponsor.
• Ascendants: In limited cases, elderly parents of the sponsor may qualify if they can prove they are entirely financially dependent on the sponsor and have no support system in their home country.

Key Thresholds and Disqualifiers

• Financial Stability: The sponsor must demonstrate they have the financial means to support all arriving family members without relying on Beninese public funds.
• Criminal Record: Applicants with a criminal history involving sentences longer than three to six months are generally disqualified.
• Health: You must be free of highly contagious diseases that could pose a risk to public health in Benin.
• ECOWAS National Exceptions: If you are a citizen of an ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) country, you may enter Benin without a visa, but you are still required to apply for a residence card if you intend to stay longer than 90 days.