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Travora Student · 2027 intake

Study in Belgium from Benin

For French-speaking Belgium, a student living in Benin runs two procedures in parallel: the équivalence (recognition) of their bac to the CESS (Belgian secondary school certificate) (€150, reduced rate for a diploma obtained in Benin, from November 15, 2026 to July 15, 2027, certified copies are enough) for a bachelor's program, and the application for admission to each institution (often before March 31). The student D visa is not filed in Cotonou: since July 1, 2021, residents of Benin file in person at VFS Global in Abidjan, and the Belgian Embassy in Abidjan forwards the file to the Office des étrangers (Immigration Office); only Belgian government scholarship holders can file at the embassy in Cotonou. Costs: Office des étrangers fee of €251 (164,645 FCFA) and D visa fee of €250 since July 1, 2026 (163,989 FCFA at the fixed rate; fee table of the SPF Affaires étrangères, Belgian Foreign Affairs), while the Abidjan page still shows the old rate of 118,800 FCFA (€180). The file requires a medical certificate from one of the three approved doctors in Cotonou, a criminal record extract less than 6 months old, and Beninese documents legalized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and then by the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou. Financial means: €1,062 net per month in 2026-2027 (696,626 FCFA); the 2027-2028 amount is not published. Beninese students (least developed country) are exempt from the additional €4,175 contribution at universities and hautes écoles (university colleges): €1,194 minerval (tuition fee).

Updated October 15, 2026 · Reliability: medium · 47 sources

Known cost before departure
328,634 – 560,119 FCFApartial
excluding funds and tuition
Required funds
696,626 FCFA / month
€1,062 / month
Processing time
Office des étrangers: indicative 90 days; "several months" possible according to the embassy in Abidjan.
Interview
Not specified
Before the visa

Admission route

No central platform in the Fédération Wallonie-Bruxelles: online application for admission at each institution (universities: around March 31). For a bachelor's program, équivalence of the bac to the CESS in parallel: Benin is not on the list of countries that must send originals, certified true copies are enough; proof of access to higher education in Benin must be attached (otherwise access to short-cycle programs only). Master's: the institution assesses the Licence (bachelor's) itself. In Flanders, many Master's programs in English and VLIR-UOS scholarships open to Benin.[3][4][5][6][7]

Admission procedure fees

  • Secondary diploma équivalence (reduced rate, diploma obtained in Benin)[1][2]€150≈ 98,394 FCFA

    Non-refundable; the list of "€150" countries is undated.

  • Admission application fee (ULiège example)[3]€200≈ 131,191 FCFA

    Deposit deducted from tuition if admitted, not refunded otherwise; doctoral candidates exempt.

The visa application

Where to apply

Where to file
Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Authority
Belgian Embassy in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire), which forwards to the Office des étrangers (Brussels); the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou (Les Cocotiers, lot 12N; cotonou@diplobel.fed.be) only receives Belgian government scholarship holders
Application center
VFS Global · Abidjan
Appointment
Visa-On-Web online form, appointment on the VFS Global website; Belgian scholarship holders (DGD): Cotonou embassy Monday to Thursday, 8 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Tip
File at least 4 weeks before departure (embassy) and before July 1 (Office des étrangers); plan the trip to and stay in Abidjan (no visa needed for a Beninese citizen, ECOWAS), and the prior legalization of documents in Cotonou.
Processing time
Office des étrangers: indicative 90 days; "several months" possible according to the embassy in Abidjan. Legalization time in Cotonou not published.[8][14]
Center website (VFS Global)Book an appointment / apply online

Sources for filing[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]

In order

The steps

  1. 1

    Apply for bac équivalence (bachelor's)[5][6][7][16]

    When: between November 15, 2026 and July 15, 2027Duration: 4 to 12 weeks

    File with the Service des équivalences (rue Adolphe Lavallée 1, 1080 Bruxelles) by registered mail or by appointment: acte de naissance (birth certificate), certified true copy of the diploma and transcript, proof of access to higher education in Benin, cover letter, proof of payment of €150. Decision in at least 4 to 12 weeks; proof of filing is generally accepted for the visa.

    • Équivalence fee (reduced rate)[1][2]€150≈ 98,394 FCFA
  2. 2

    Apply for admission[3][4][17]

    When: February → March 2027

    Each institution's online form; universities around March 31 (ULiège: from February 18 to March 31 in 2026, €200 deposit, answer by June 30 at the latest; UNamur: March 31). Hautes écoles: their own dates.

    • Admission deposit (ULiège example)[3]€200≈ 131,191 FCFA
  3. 3

    Get Beninese documents legalized[18][19][20][21][45]

    When: April → May 2027

    Pre-legalisation at the Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by legalisation at the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou: XOF 16,500 per document since 1 August 2026. Beninese pre-legalisation fees remain unconfirmed. Documents in French do not need translation.

    • Legalization by the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou[45]16,500 FCFA

      XOF 16,500 per document at the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou since 1 August 2026 (EUR 25). Beninese pre-legalisation costs extra and its fee is unconfirmed. Multiply by the number of documents; excluded from the subtotal while that number is unknown.

  4. 4

    Criminal record and medical certificate[9][22][23][24][25]

    When: less than 6 months before filing

    Casier judiciaire (criminal record) extract (bulletin n° 3) less than 6 months old, requested online at service-public.bj with the NPI (72 hours announced, delays reported in 2026), then legalized. Medical certificate on the legal template, less than 6 months old, from a doctor approved by the embassy in Benin: Cabinet Apithy (Dr Anne Apithy, Camp Guézo, Cotonou), Cabinet de la Haie-Vive (Dr Azzaz Nouara), Cabinet médical Missigbe (Dr Lise Adjahi).

  5. 5

    Build proof of financial means[26][27][28][29]

    When: before filing

    €1,062 net per month in 2026-2027 (696,626 FCFA; 8,359,516 FCFA for 12 months): scholarship, sponsorship undertaking (annexe 32) from a guarantor showing €3,235.88 net per month (2,122,598 FCFA), money blocked in an account managed by the institution (UNamur: €12,894), savings. Where to legalize the annexe 32 for a guarantor living in Benin: not published (the Cotonou embassy is the likely contact).

  6. 6

    Pay the Office des étrangers fee[8][30][31]

    When: before filing

    €251 (public or subsidized institution) or €242 (private) since January 1, 2026, indexed every January 1; without proof of payment, the application is inadmissible. Exemption for scholarship holders and those under 18.

    • Office des étrangers fee[30][31]€251≈ 164,645 FCFA
  7. 7

    Filing at VFS Global in Abidjan[8][9][21][32][42][43]

    When: preferably before July 1, 2027

    Visa-On-Web forms, photos, passport valid for at least 1 year, originals and two copies of each document, biometrics. D visa fee: €250 since July 1, 2026 (consular fee table of the SPF Affaires étrangères), paid in cash in FCFA at the center's bank counter: plan for 163,989 FCFA at the fixed rate (exact equivalent charged in Abidjan not published; the Abidjan page still shows the old rate of 118,800 FCFA, i.e. €180). VFS service fee extra.

    • D visa fee[8][32][33][42][43]€250≈ 163,989 FCFA

      SPF Affaires étrangères rate since July 1, 2026. Old amount: 118,800 FCFA (€180), still shown on the Abidjan page (s8).

    • VFS service fee[46][47]amount not found

      Checked on 15 October 2026: VFS lists XOF 21,000 in French and XOF 17,000 in English. Confirm the fee when booking; these conflicting figures are excluded from the subtotal.

  8. 8

    Processing and decision[8][14][29]

    When: July → September 2027Duration: up to several months

    The Office des étrangers has an indicative 90 days (missing documents: 30 days to complete); "several months" possible for a long stay according to the embassy. The passport is returned by the Abidjan center: plan a second trip or collection by a third party according to the center's rules (not verified).

  9. 9

    Steps on arrival[4][34][35][36][37][38]

    When: September 2027

    Report to the commune (town hall) within 8 working days (annexe 15, residence check, then carte A valid until October 31), join a mutualité (health insurance fund), finalize enrollment by September 30 at the latest (€1,194 minerval for a Beninese student, exempt from the additional contribution).

    • 2026-2027 minerval (Beninese students exempt from the contribution)[34][35]€1,194 / year≈ 783,213 FCFA
The application

Required documents

  • D visa application forms (Visa-On-Web)[4][21]

    required

  • ID photos[21]

    required

    Recent, in color.

  • Passport valid for at least 1 year[4][21]

    required

    Originals and 2 copies.

  • Admission or enrollment certificate[4][21]

    required

    Final or provisional.

  • CESS équivalence or proof of filing[5][7]

    requiredbachelor's, short program

    First cycle in the FWB.

    Local specifics: Certified copies are enough for a Beninese diploma.

  • Legalized diplomas and transcripts[18][20][21]

    required

    Local specifics: Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then Belgian Embassy in Cotonou.

  • Financial means: €1,062 net per month (2026-2027)[4][26]

    required

    696,626 FCFA per month.

  • Medical certificate from an approved doctor (less than 6 months old)[9][25]

    required

    Template annexed to the law.

    Local specifics: Cabinet Apithy, Cabinet de la Haie-Vive, Cabinet médical Missigbe (Cotonou).

  • Criminal record extract (over 18, less than 6 months old), legalized[22][25]

    required

    Local specifics: Bulletin n° 3 online at service-public.bj (NPI).

  • Proof of payment of the Office des étrangers fee[8][30]

    required

    €251 (public) or €242 (private).

Depending on your profile

  • Legalized sponsorship undertaking (annexe 32)[27][29]

    Guarantor: €3,235.88 net per month.

    Local specifics: Place of legalization for a guarantor in Benin not published.

  • Health insurance covering all risks in Belgium[21][25]

    Not mandatory at filing according to ADDE (4-month provisional permit without it).

  • Parental authorization (minor)[14]

Before departure

Detailed fees

  • Secondary diploma équivalence (bachelor's, reduced rate)[1][2](bachelor's, short program)€150≈ 98,394 FCFA
  • Admission application fee (ULiège example)[3](depending on profile)€200≈ 131,191 FCFA

    Deducted from tuition if admitted.

  • Office des étrangers fee (public institution)[30][31]€251≈ 164,645 FCFA

    €242 for a private institution; scholarship holders and minors exempt.

  • D visa fee[8][32][42][43]€250≈ 163,989 FCFA

    €250 since July 1, 2026, student D visa included (consular fee table of the SPF Affaires étrangères); paid in FCFA in Abidjan, exact equivalent not published (163,989 FCFA at the fixed rate; TLScontact Dakar charges 165,000 FCFA for €250). Old amount: 118,800 FCFA (€180), embassy page in Abidjan not updated (s8). Belgian cooperation scholarship holders exempt.

  • VFS Global service fee (Abidjan)[46][47]amount not found

    Checked on 15 October 2026: VFS lists XOF 21,000 in French and XOF 17,000 in English. Confirm the fee when booking; these conflicting figures are excluded from the subtotal.

  • Pre-legalisation at the Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs[18][20]amount not found

    Beninese pre-legalisation fee unconfirmed; Belgian legalisation is priced separately per document.

  • Medical certificate from an approved doctor[9]amount not found

    Fee not published.

  • Criminal record (service-public.bj)[44]1,900 FCFA

    B3 criminal record fee: XOF 1,900, published in the active version of the Beninese public service catalogue and checked on 15 October 2026. Excludes any payment charges shown at checkout; reconfirm for 2027.

  • Trip to and stay in Abidjan[8]amount not found

    Not estimated.

  • Belgian legalisation in Cotonou (per document)[45]16,500 FCFA

    XOF 16,500 per document at the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou since 1 August 2026 (EUR 25). Beninese pre-legalisation costs extra and its fee is unconfirmed. Multiply by the number of documents; excluded from the subtotal while that number is unknown.

Known subtotal328,634 – 560,119 FCFA

Excluding financial resources: master base XOF 328,634 (contribution EUR 251 + visa EUR 250, indicative conversions). Upper bound XOF 560,119: recognition EUR 150, ULiège deposit EUR 200 and criminal record XOF 1,900 if required. Add XOF 16,500 per document for Belgian legalisation. Pre-legalisation, VFS service, payment charges and the exact local visa fee remain to be confirmed.

Items with no published official amount (not counted)

  • VFS service fee
  • Beninese pre-legalisation and number of documents to legalise in Cotonou
  • medical certificate
  • trip to Abidjan
  • registered mailing of the équivalence file
  • exact FCFA equivalent of the D visa (€250) charged in Abidjan
For the visa

Funds to prove

696,626 FCFA / monthi.e. €1,062 / month

€12,744 per year at the fixed rate; guarantor: €3,235.88 net per month (2,122,598 FCFA).

€1,062 net per month for 2026-2027, indexed every year: the 2027-2028 figure is not published as of 10/12/2026. UNamur blocked account 2026-2027: 12 × €1,062 + €150 in fees = €12,894.[26][27][28][39]

Accepted proof

  • scholarship or loan certificate
  • sponsorship undertaking (annexe 32)
  • money blocked in an account managed by the institution
  • income from a legal side job
  • savings
2027 intake

Timeline

  1. November 15, 2026

    équivalence: applications open[16]

  2. March 31, 2026

    non-EU admission (ULiège, 2026 benchmark: February 18 → March 31)[3]

    same period every year; 2027 dates not published

  3. July 1, 2027to be confirmed

    visa filing advised by the Office des étrangers before[14]

    advice repeated every year

  4. July 15, 2027

    équivalence: deadline for filing and payment (postmark)[5][16]

  5. September 30, 2027to be confirmed

    final enrollment by[38]

    September 30 every year

Specifics Benin → Belgium

Differences and pitfalls

What differs from the general rule

  • Filing outside Benin: VFS Global in Abidjan since July 1, 2021, except Belgian government scholarship holders (Cotonou embassy).
  • Legalization of Beninese documents by the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou, after the Beninese Ministry of Foreign Affairs; no apostille.
  • Three approved doctors in Cotonou for the medical certificate.
  • Beninese diplomas sent as certified true copies for the équivalence; reduced rate of €150.
  • Beninese students exempt from the additional €4,175 contribution at university ("least developed countries" annex) and at hautes écoles (UN list of LDCs, HEH example).
  • ARES international training scholarships and VLIR-UOS scholarships open to residents of Benin (own conditions).

Pitfalls to avoid

Filing in Cotonou or at the French Embassy[8][40]

France represents Belgium only for short stays; the D visa is filed in Abidjan (except Belgian scholarship holders).

Higher visa fee[8][32][33][42][43]

The Abidjan page still shows 118,800 FCFA (€180), but the SPF Affaires étrangères has set the student D visa at €250 since July 1, 2026: plan for at least 163,989 FCFA in cash.

Forgotten legalization[18][21]

Beninese documents must be legalized in Benin and then by the Belgian Embassy in Cotonou before the trip to Abidjan.

Budget based on €835 per month[26][39]

The threshold is €1,062 net per month in 2026-2027 and will be indexed again.

Two separate calendars[3][5][14]

Admission often closes at the end of March, équivalence by July 15 at the latest, visa advised before July 1.

Non-refundable fees[3][4][5]

Équivalence, admission deposit and fee are lost if refused.

Insufficient progress[41]

Since June 1, 2026: 60 credits after two years of the bachelor's program, then 40 per year.

Figures

Statistics

D visa applications for studies (all countries) (2024)
12,420 in 2024[29]
Belgian student visas issued to Beninese citizens
No official figure found: No statistics by nationality found (10/12/2026).

Travora does not issue visas.

Travora is not affiliated with any embassy, consulate or service provider (Campus France, TLScontact, VFS Global, BLS…). Rules and amounts change: check the official website before any payment or filing. Page updated October 15, 2026.

Checked on

Sources

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