US State Department Issues Level 2 Travel Advisory for Benin
The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" travel advisory for Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping. Areas bordering Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara are Level 4 "Do Not Travel." U.S. government employees may not travel to Alibori, Atacora, and areas around Parakou without Ambassador approval. Safety risks prevent emergency consular services in the identified border areas.
Impact and considerations
Northern and northeastern border regions are Level 4 "Do Not Travel," and the U.S. cannot provide emergency consular services there, imposing hard constraints on travel arrangements involving those areas. Government employee travel restrictions also reflect the severity of the local security assessment.
Key points
- The U.S. Department of State issued a Level 2 "Exercise Increased Caution" advisory for Benin due to unrest, crime, terrorism, and kidnapping.
- Areas bordering Burkina Faso, Niger, and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger, and Kwara are Level 4 "Do Not Travel."
- U.S. government employees may not travel to Alibori, Atacora, and areas around Parakou without Ambassador approval.
- Safety risks prevent emergency consular services in the identified border areas.
- Most coastal and southern areas of Benin are safe, but violent crime can occur in remote locations at night.
Sources and time
- Primary source
- U.S. Department of State
- Other sources
- 0
- First source publication
- 7 Jan 2026, 08:00
- Page published
- 11 Sept 2026, 00:11
- Last updated
- 7 Jan 2026, 08:00
- Original links
- US Travel Advisories：Benin - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution (opens in a new tab)Primary source · en · Published 7 Jan 2026, 08:00