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Ordinary Resident Card - Other Legitimate Interest

BeninSpecial cases

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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Explore pathways in Benin Read the five questions ↓

What exactly is the official special programme/status and why does it exist?

This route corresponds to the 'other legitimate interest to reside in Benin' ground of ordinary-resident status under Article 17 of Decree 2026-049, a residual ground alongside the decree's two named financial grounds (means of subsistence, or a guarantee of third-party support). The decree does not further specify what programme or purpose this residual ground exists for.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured decree is not a complete route dossier; additional procedural, family, fee, exemption, employer, institution, or effective-date details may require other official sources.
  • Decree No. 2026-049, Article 17
    Peut bénéficier du statut de résident ordinaire, I’étranger qui remplit les conditions suivantes : - justifier de moyens de subsistance ou d’une garantie de prise en charge par un tiers, des moyens de subsistance ou avoir tout autre intérét légitime a résider au Bénin ; - jouir d’une bonne moralité.

Which specific population, role, circumstance or historical/legal situation does it cover?

The decree does not identify a specific population, role or historical/legal situation for this ground; 'other legitimate interest to reside in Benin' is an open, undefined category under Article 17, alongside the general requirement of good moral character.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured decree is not a complete route dossier; additional procedural, family, fee, exemption, employer, institution, or effective-date details may require other official sources.
  • Decree No. 2026-049, Article 17
    Peut bénéficier du statut de résident ordinaire, I’étranger qui remplit les conditions suivantes : - justifier de moyens de subsistance ou d’une garantie de prise en charge par un tiers, des moyens de subsistance ou avoir tout autre intérét légitime a résider au Bénin ; - jouir d’une bonne moralité.

What circumstance, event, relationship, nomination, invitation or status activates access?

The decree does not specify a triggering circumstance, event, relationship, nomination or invitation; Article 17 requires only that the applicant show some other legitimate interest in residing in Benin, together with the general ordinary-resident conditions of means of subsistence (or third-party support) and good moral character.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured decree is not a complete route dossier; additional procedural, family, fee, exemption, employer, institution, or effective-date details may require other official sources.
  • Decree No. 2026-049, Article 17
    Peut bénéficier du statut de résident ordinaire, I’étranger qui remplit les conditions suivantes : - justifier de moyens de subsistance ou d’une garantie de prise en charge par un tiers, des moyens de subsistance ou avoir tout autre intérét légitime a résider au Bénin ; - jouir d’une bonne moralité.

What sponsor, authority, nomination, certification, evidence or other step must occur before the status can be obtained?

Under Article 17, the applicant must justify means of subsistence or a guarantee of third-party support, or have another legitimate interest to reside in Benin, and must be of good moral character. The official source does not state a sponsor, authority, nomination, certification or other prior step.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured decree is not a complete route dossier; additional procedural, family, fee, exemption, employer, institution, or effective-date details may require other official sources.

What immigration status and rights result, how long do they last, can family be included, and what happens if the special qualifying circumstance ends?

The ordinary resident card is valid for three years and is renewable. After two renewals, the holder may qualify for privileged resident status if the Article 18 conditions are met (permanent employment or activity, real estate, effective marital residence in Benin, or a functioning business or industrial/commercial establishment). Article 16 gives resident foreigners in Benin the same rights and freedoms as Beninese citizens.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • The captured decree is not a complete route dossier; additional procedural, family, fee, exemption, employer, institution, or effective-date details may require other official sources.
  • Decree No. 2026-049, Article 19
    La durée de validité de la carte de résident ordinaire est de trois (03) ans.
  • Decree No. 2026-049, Article 18
    Peut bénéficier du statut de résident privilégié, l'étranger, résident ordinaire, qui a obtenu deux (02) fois le renouvellement de sa carte de résident et qui justifie d’un emploi ou d’une activité permanente, d’une propriété immobiliére, d'une résidence conjugale effective au Bénin, de la création d’une entreprise ou d’un établissement industriel ou commercial fonctionnel en République du Bénin.
  • Decree No. 2026-049, Article 16
    la personne étrangére jouit sur le territoire national, des mémes droits et libertés que les citoyens béninois.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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