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Travora Student · 2027 intake

Study in France from Benin

A student living in Benin must go through the Études en France procedure of Campus France Bénin (Institut français de Cotonou, office hours in Parakou), whatever the level. For the September 2027 intake, the platform has been open since October 1, 2026: the 70,000 FCFA application fee is paid at Société Générale Bénin (Orabank in Parakou) before November 15, 2026, the file is submitted before November 20, 2026 (corrections until December 15), then the academic interview takes place by invitation until March 15, 2027. Admissions outside the platform (private schools, Parcoursup, Campus Art) go through the "Je suis accepté" (I've been accepted) pre-consular procedure, which closes at the end of July. A Beninese baccalauréat (bac) holder is in principle exempt from a French test. The long-stay visa is requested on France-Visas, then at Capago in Cotonou with the attestation de préinscription (API, pre-enrollment certificate) signed and stamped by Campus France Bénin: €50 visa fee (32,798 FCFA at the fixed rate) in cash, plus Capago service fees whose amount is not published (capped at €45). The hard part is proof of funds: €877.50 per month since August 1, 2026, i.e. 575,602 FCFA per month or 6,907,227 FCFA for twelve months. No apostille: Benin is not party to the convention, and Campus France only asks for legalization of the ID document.

Updated October 15, 2026 · Reliability: high · 36 sources

Known cost before departure
102,798 – 132,316 FCFApartial
excluding funds and tuition
Required funds
575,602 FCFA / month
€877.5 / month
Processing time
Not published for Benin.
Interview
Yes
Campus France Benin, Institut français de Cotonou (office hours in Parakou)
Before the visa

Admission route

The Études en France procedure is mandatory for any Beninese bac holder or holder of a non-EU diploma: "classic" procedure on the platform (L1, PASS, L2, L3, licence professionnelle, M1, M2); Parcoursup for BTS, CPGE and DCG; Campus Art for art programs and architecture; direct application for non-connected institutions (private schools), then declaration of the admission in the "Je suis accepté" tab (pre-consular procedure, mandatory before the visa). Campus France Bénin applies recommendation criteria: no downgrade of more than one level, at most one repeated year per cycle, a national Licence (bachelor's) required for a Master's, at most three successive Études en France procedures, report cards after 2019 verifiable on Educmaster. The file number (BJ format) serves as the identifier for payment and on France-Visas.[1][4][5][6][7]

Admission procedure fees

  • Études en France application processing fee (standard procedure 2026-2027)[1][2][3]70,000 FCFA

    Société Générale Bénin (account 502) with your BJ number and an ID document; Orabank for applicants in Parakou. Scan the receipt into your file. Not refunded if the file is late; does not guarantee pre-registration or a visa. No published exemption (October 12, 2026).

  • Processing fee for the pre-consular procedure (« Je suis accepté », 'I have been accepted')[4]amount not found

    The page lists fees « selon votre situation » (depending on your situation), with no amount (searched on benin.campusfrance.org on October 12, 2026).

The visa application

Where to apply

Where to file
Cotonou
Authority
French Embassy in Benin, consular section (515 rue Albert Sarraut, Cotonou; consulat.cotonou-fslt@diplomatie.gouv.fr), which processes and decides
Application center
Capago · Cotonou
Address
Immeuble Jummy Palace Center, 1er étage, carré 85 Tokpa Hoho, avenue Steinmetz 1320, îlot 29 parcelle Q, Cotonou
Appointment
Long-stay form on france-visas.gouv.fr (enter your Études en France number), then an appointment on the Capago Benin website; appointment fee paid online by bank card, visa and service fees in cash (FCFA) on the day you submit
Tip
You can apply as early as 6 months before departure and no later than 15 days before; from June to October, allow 5 to 6 weeks to get an appointment. You must attend in person; a minor comes with a parent.
Processing time
Not published for Benin. France-Visas: decision generally within 15 days, up to 45 days in special cases; apply at least 15 days before departure, earlier in peak season (5 to 6 weeks for an appointment from June to October).[8][9][22]
Interview
Yes · Campus France Benin, Institut français de Cotonou (office hours in Parakou) · Academic interview when invited, once the file is complete, until March 15, 2027; originals checked. No interview at Capago; the consulate may call you in or ask for documents.[1][2][3][22]
Center website (Capago)

Sources for filing[8][9][10][11][12]

In order

The steps

  1. 1

    Check your profile and choose your path[5][6]

    When: September-October 2026

    Look at the table « Quelle procédure dois-je suivre ? » (Which procedure should I follow? — standard, Parcoursup, Campus Art, pre-consular) and the self-assessment tool « CFB Recommandation ». Get your Educmaster login details from your high school: all report cards after 2019 must be verifiable there.

  2. 2

    Create your Études en France account and choose your programs[1][2][13]

    When: from October 1, 2026

    Account on pastel.diplomatie.gouv.fr/etudesenfrance (BJ number). Program basket open since October 1, 2026: white DAP (demande d'admission préalable, prior admission application) for a first year (L1) at a university (3 choices, national deadline December 15, 2026), non-DAP for L2, L3, Master's and connected schools. Documents in French: no translation needed for a Beninese file.

  3. 3

    Pay the application fee at the bank[1][2][3]

    When: before November 15, 2026

    70,000 FCFA at Société Générale Bénin (account 502), with your BJ number and an ID document; Orabank for applicants in Parakou. Scan the receipt and add it under « Cursus » > « Autre activité ». No payment to any intermediary.

    • Études en France application fee[1][2]70,000 FCFA
  4. 4

    Submit the file, then correct it[2][14]

    When: November 1 → 20, 2026 (corrections until December 15)

    First submission no later than November 20, 2026; the advisor may ask for corrections, final submission no later than December 15, 2026. A late file is not processed and the fee is not refunded.

  5. 5

    Academic interview when invited[1][2][3][15]

    When: until March 15, 2027

    The invitation is sent once the file is complete; the applicant does not choose the date. Bring all the originals attached to the file and plain photocopies of them; only the ID document needs to be certified (2022-2023 instruction). The advisor assesses your plan, motivation and level; their opinion is sent to the institutions and the consulate.

  6. 6

    Answers, final choice and signed API[1][2][6][13][16]

    When: April → May 2027

    DAP universities: answer no later than April 30, 2027; final choice no later than May 31, 2027 (national calendar; the Campus France Benin calendar for answers was « bientôt disponible » (coming soon) on October 12, 2026). Download the attestation de préinscription (API, pre-registration certificate) and have it signed and stamped by Campus France Benin. Admitted to a Master's while still in L3: the Licence (bachelor's) is required before the API is issued.

  7. 7

    Admission outside the platform: « Je suis accepté » procedure[4][14]

    When: before the end of July 2027 (2026 date: July 31)

    Private school or non-connected program, Parcoursup, Campus Art: declare your admission in the « Je suis accepté » tab (cover letter, enrollment or pre-registration certificate), one submission only, at least one month before classes start. 2026 deadline: July 31 (2027 dates not published); an interview and processing fee are possible.

  8. 8

    Gather proof of funds[12][17][18][19][20]

    When: before the visa appointment

    €877.50 per month since August 1, 2026 (47% of the gross SMIC (French minimum wage), decree of June 22, 2026), i.e. 575,602 FCFA per month and 6,907,227 FCFA for 12 months. Forms: scholarship certificate, bank statements for the last 3 months, a guarantor's sponsorship letter with their statements and proof of income, attestation de virement irrévocable (AVI, irrevocable transfer certificate) with original and copy. The Campus France Benin visa page (2024) still says €615: outdated figure.

  9. 9

    Apply for the long-stay visa (VLS-TS) at Capago Cotonou[8][9][10][12][21]

    When: May → August 2027 (no earlier than 6 months, no later than 15 days before departure)Duration: at least 15 days between submission and departure (France-Visas)

    France-Visas form, then a Capago appointment (appointment fee online by card). Submit in person with biometrics: receipt and form, stamped API, accommodation, sponsorship, passport. Visa fee €50 (reduced Études en France rate) and service fee paid in cash in FCFA, non-refundable if refused.

    • Long-stay visa fee (reduced student rate)[8][21]€50≈ 32,798 FCFA

      Collected in FCFA; exact amount in the local fee schedule not published.

    • Capago service fee[8][22]amount not found

      Not published (October 12, 2026); capped at €45 (29,518 FCFA) by France-Visas.

  10. 10

    Decision and travel[9][22][23]

    When: June → September 2027Duration: 15 to 45 days

    Processing time not published for Benin; France-Visas generally announces 15 days, up to 45 days in special cases. Do not buy a non-changeable ticket before the decision. 2027 bac graduates: the bac certificate is collected at the end of August (2026: August 24 to 29, after an online request on services.bac.bj), plan ahead if the institution or the consulate asks for it.

  11. 11

    Steps on arrival[12][24][25][26][27]

    When: September-December 2027

    Validate the VLS-TS online (ANEF) within 3 months: €100 fee (the Campus France Benin page still says €60, outdated figure). Pay the CVEC (student life contribution, €105), then enroll; free health insurance registration; bank account. 2026-2027 tuition at public universities: €2,902 (Licence), €3,950 (Master's), €398 (PhD/doctorate), unless exempted.

    • VLS-TS validation fee[24][25]€100≈ 65,596 FCFA
    • CVEC 2026-2027[26]€105 / year≈ 68,875 FCFA
The application

Required documents

  • Passport[12][20]

    required

    Issued less than 10 years ago, valid at least 3 months after the visa ends, two blank pages; kept during processing.

    Local specifics: Copy requested by Campus France Benin in the visa checklist.

  • France-Visas form + receipt[12][22]

    required

    Filled in online, printed, signed.

  • Attestation de préinscription (API, pre-registration certificate) signed and stamped by Campus France Benin[1][12]

    required

    Generated after the final choice (or after the « Je suis accepté » procedure).

    Local specifics: Without the Campus France Benin stamp, the visa file is incomplete.

  • Bac and diplomas (originals and plain photocopies at the interview)[3][6][28]

    required

    National Licence (bachelor's) required for a Master's.

    Local specifics: Report cards after 2019 verifiable on Educmaster; certificates, transcripts and authentications from the Office du baccalauréat (bac office) requested online on services.bac.bj since September 2025 (fees not published).

  • Transcripts and report cards[1][6]

    required

    Those attached to the file, originals checked at the interview.

  • Proof of funds ≥ €877.50 per month[11][12][17]

    required

    575,602 FCFA per month; scholarship, 3 months of statements, a guarantor's sponsorship with their income, AVI.

    Local specifics: Mobile money: acceptance not specified on the official pages consulted.

  • Proof of accommodation for the first 3 months[12][20]

    required

    Lease, booking, attestation d'hébergement (letter of accommodation) with the host's supporting documents.

  • ID photo 35 × 45 mm[29]

    required

  • Certified ID document (Campus France interview)[3]

    required

    The only document to certify according to the Campus France Benin 2022-2023 instruction.

    Local specifics: Old instruction: reconfirm when you receive the invitation.

  • Visa and service fees[8][12]

    required

    €50 visa fee and Capago service fee, in cash (FCFA); appointment fee paid online by card.

Depending on your profile

  • Enrollment or pre-registration certificate (non-connected program)[4]

    private school, short program, PhD

    Private school, Parcoursup, Campus Art, doctorate.

  • Guarantor's sponsorship letter (if applicable)[11][29]

    Original and copy, with the guarantor's proof of income.

  • Parental authorization (minor)[11][30]

    A minor is accompanied by a parent when submitting at Capago; additional forms filled in at the center.

Before departure

Detailed fees

  • Études en France application fee (Campus France Benin)[1][2]70,000 FCFA

    Société Générale (Orabank in Parakou), non-refundable.

  • Student long-stay visa fee (reduced rate)[8][21]32,798 FCFA€50

    €50 at the fixed rate; FCFA amount in the consular fee schedule not published. Non-refundable.

  • Capago service fee (including appointment fee paid online)[8][11][22]amount not found

    Not published; €45 (29,518 FCFA) cap set by France-Visas.

  • Processing fee for the pre-consular « Je suis accepté » procedure[4](depending on profile)(private school, short program)amount not found

    Only for an admission outside the platform, « selon votre situation » (depending on your situation); amount not published.

  • French test (TCF/TEF) at the Institut français du Bénin[36](depending on profile)amount not found

    TCF tout public: XOF 160,000 listed by the Institut français du Bénin on 15 October 2026. Only if required by the programme. The page shows it as unavailable: confirm the session, included tests and 2027 price. Do not apply this price to TEF or other TCF versions.

  • Certification of the ID document[3]amount not found

    Cost not found (10/12/2026).

Known subtotal102,798 – 132,316 FCFA

Excluding proof of funds. Min = Campus France 70,000 + visa €50 (32,798). Max = min + Capago service fee cap (€45, 29,518 FCFA). Not included: VLS-TS validation (€100), CVEC (€105) and tuition fees, paid in France.

Items with no published official amount (not counted)

  • Capago service fee (≤ €45)
  • pre-consular procedure fee (admissions outside the platform)
  • certification of the ID document
  • French test if the institution requires it
For the visa

Funds to prove

575,602 FCFA / monthi.e. €877.5 / month

Fixed rate 1 EUR = 655.957 XOF; €10,530 for 12 months.

Amount set at 47% of the gross monthly SMIC (French minimum wage) (art. R. 422-2 of the CESEDA, decree no. 2026-526 of June 22, 2026), in force for applications submitted since August 1, 2026; it follows the SMIC. The Campus France Benin visa page (updated June 2024) still cites €615: outdated figure.[12][17][18][19]

Accepted proof

  • scholarship certificate
  • bank statements for the last 3 months
  • guarantor's sponsorship letter + statements and proof of income
  • attestation de virement irrévocable (AVI, irrevocable transfer certificate), original and copy
  • certificate of deposit in an account in France
2027 intake

Timeline

  1. October 1, 2026

    Études en France platform opens[2]

  2. November 15, 2026

    deadline to pay the 70,000 FCFA[2]

  3. November 20, 2026

    first submission deadline[2]

  4. December 15, 2026

    final submission deadline after corrections (and national DAP)[2][13]

  5. March 15, 2027

    end of the academic interview period[2]

  6. April 30, 2027

    university answers (DAP) at the latest[13]

  7. May 31, 2027

    end of the standard procedure; final choice at the latest (national calendar)[2][16]

  8. July 31, 2026to be confirmed

    pre-consular « Je suis accepté » procedure: submission deadline[4]

    same period every year (2027 date not published)

  9. August 24, 2026to be confirmed

    collection of bac certificates (2026 reference: August 24-29)[23]

    end of August every year

Specifics Benin → France

Differences and pitfalls

What differs from the general rule

  • Benin has its own calendar, earlier than the general rule: payment before November 15, 2026 and first submission before November 20, 2026, while other countries go until December 15 or February 1.
  • The 70,000 FCFA are paid at Société Générale Bénin (account 502), at Orabank for Parakou, not at the visa service provider.
  • Academic interview when invited (the applicant does not choose the date), originals checked; only the ID document needs to be certified.
  • Published recommendation criteria: Educmaster for report cards after 2019, three procedures at most, national Licence (bachelor's) for a Master's.
  • The API (pre-registration certificate) must be signed and stamped by Campus France Benin before the visa.
  • Visa submitted at Capago (not TLScontact or VFS); service fee not published, appointment fee paid online by card, the rest in cash.
  • No apostille possible (Benin is not party to the convention); file in French, no translation.

Pitfalls to avoid

Outdated Campus France Benin visa page[12][17][24]

Updated in June 2024, it cites €615 of funds and a €60 validation fee; since 2026, you need €877.50 per month and validation costs €100.

Missing November 15 or 20[2][14]

Benin's dates are earlier than other countries': payment before November 15, submission before November 20, 2026. If late, the file is not processed and the fee is lost.

Private agencies[3]

Campus France Benin warns against private agencies; fees are paid only at the bank and guarantee neither pre-registration nor a visa.

Report cards that cannot be verified[6]

Without Educmaster login details for report cards after 2019, your application is at risk.

Peak season at Capago[8]

From June to October, a 5 to 6 week wait for an appointment; fees not refunded if refused.

Budgeting without the higher tuition or APL[26][27][33]

Tuition of €2,902 (Licence) and €3,950 (Master's) in 2026-2027 unless exempted, and no more APL (housing allowance) for non-EU students without a scholarship since July 1, 2026.

Appeal[34][35]

A long-stay visa refusal must first be challenged before the CRRV (visa refusal appeals board) within 30 days; fees are not refunded.

Figures

Statistics

Beninese students enrolled in France
No official figure found: Searched on October 12, 2026 (Campus France Benin, departures/bj.json): not found.
student visa refusal rate for Beninese nationals (2025)
No official figure found: No official figure by country (see destinations/fr.json).

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

  1. [1]La procédure de candidatures classiques 2026-2027 — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  2. [2]Calendrier de la procédure de candidatures classiques 2026-2027 — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  3. [3]Procédure 2022-2023 — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  4. [4]La procédure préconsulaire – acceptation papier (rentrée 2026), mise à jour le 21 janvier 2026 — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  5. [5]Quelle procédure dois-je suivre ? — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  6. [6]FAQ Critères de recommandation – Procédures Études en France (mise à jour 24/09/2026) — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  7. [7]Which countries are affected by the "Etudes en France" procedure? — Campus France, accessed October 12, 2026
  8. [8]Bénin – lieu de dépôt — France-Visas (ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères), accessed October 12, 2026
  9. [9]Bénin – lieu de dépôt, délais et frais — France-Visas (ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères), accessed October 12, 2026
  10. [10]Bénin – représentation d'autres États — France-Visas, accessed October 12, 2026
  11. [11]VISA et carte de séjour — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  12. [12]VISA et carte de séjour (mise à jour le 19 juin 2024) — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  13. [13]Dossier blanc : demande d'admission préalable (DAP) – inscription en première année de licence — Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur et de la Recherche, accessed October 12, 2026
  14. [14]2025 – Procédure consulaire « Je suis accepté » — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  15. [15]Les 8 étapes de la procédure — Campus France Congo, accessed October 12, 2026
  16. [16]Calendriers de la campagne de candidature 2027-2028 — Campus France Cameroun, accessed October 12, 2026
  17. [17]Étudiant étranger en France : visa de long séjour ou titre de séjour (vérifié le 1er août 2026) — Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA), accessed October 12, 2026
  18. [18]Décret n° 2026-526 du 22 juin 2026 portant actualisation et indexation du niveau de ressources dont le ressortissant de pays tiers doit justifier pour être admis au séjour pour un motif d'études (JORF n° 0146 du 24 juin 2026) — Légifrance, accessed October 12, 2026
  19. [19]Étudier en France en 2026 : ce qui change pour les étudiants internationaux (24 juillet 2026) — Campus France Biélorussie, accessed October 12, 2026
  20. [20]Le Visa Études — Campus France Côte d'Ivoire, accessed October 12, 2026
  21. [21]Frais de visa – montant, catégorie, plein tarif, tarifs réduits, gratuité — France-Visas, accessed October 12, 2026
  22. [22]The visa application process – France-Visas — France-Visas, accessed October 12, 2026
  23. [23]Bénin : retrait des attestations du bac 2026, l'Office du baccalauréat précise le calendrier — Bénin Web TV (presse), accessed October 12, 2026
  24. [24]Timbre fiscal : hausse des taxes sur les titres de séjour au 1er mai 2026 (22 avril 2026, mis à jour le 12 mai 2026) — Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA), accessed October 12, 2026
  25. [25]How to validate your long-stay visa upon your arrival in France? (updated on 12 August 2026) — Campus France, accessed October 12, 2026
  26. [26]Enseignement supérieur – Université : quels sont les frais d'inscription en 2026-2027 ? (publié le 21 août 2026) — Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA), accessed October 12, 2026
  27. [27]Information importante : frais d'inscription pour les étudiants hors Union européenne – rentrée 2026/2027 (mise à jour 24/04/2026) — Campus France Bénin, accessed October 12, 2026
  28. [28]Bac au Bénin : attestations, diplômes et relevés disponibles désormais en ligne — La Nouvelle Tribune, accessed October 12, 2026
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  32. [32]Pays officiellement francophones (2018) — Campus France (Algérie), accessed October 12, 2026
  33. [33]Aides au logement : fin des APL pour certains étudiants étrangers au 1er juillet 2026 (publié le 1er juillet 2026) — Service-Public.gouv.fr (DILA), accessed October 12, 2026
  34. [34]Questions fréquentes – France-Visas — France-Visas, accessed October 12, 2026
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  36. [36]TCF tout public — tarif affiché — Institut français du Bénin, accessed October 15, 2026
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