The ePass.bj app lets Beninese nationals living abroad, in Belgium and elsewhere, renew their biometric passport without travelling: the photo and fingerprints are taken with your phone. Launched by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 21 October 2025, it promises a passport within four weeks of the application being approved. This guide goes through each screen, the documents to prepare and fixes for the most common problems.
At a glance
- Publisher
- Government of Benin (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, built by ASIN)
- App price
- Free; passport fees are paid online and are non-refundable
- Devices
- Android and iPhone (iOS 16 or later), or the epassportal.gouv.bj portal
- Who it is for
- Beninese adults and minors living outside Benin who hold a biometric passport
- Stated processing time
- Four weeks after the application is approved
- Support
- WhatsApp +229 01 98 91 91 91, ediaspora@gouv.bj
Before opening the ePass.bj app
You need three numbers to create your account:
- your NPI (personal identification number), which you can find with the ANIP BJ app;
- your consular registration number, free and obtained online in about 72 hours on iDiaspora (see our article on online consular services);
- your old biometric passport.
Also have digital copies ready of: the identity page of your old passport, your birth certificate, the personal identification certificate (CIP) issued by ANIP and, if you have changed occupation, proof of your profession. For a minor, you will need parental consent.
Renewals only
ePass can only be used to renew a biometric passport. For a first passport, or if your old passport is not biometric, the standard procedure applies: the consulate helps you put the application together, as explained on our Biometric passport page. Need to travel before your new passport arrives? For a one-way trip to Cotonou, the consulate issues a laissez-passer.
How much does renewal cost and how do you receive your passport?
The app is free, but the renewal is not: the amount is shown at the payment step and must be paid in full before processing. The terms of use state that these fees are non-refundable. Be wary of articles that describe ePass as free.
At the end of the application, you choose from the collection options offered: an office of the Directorate of Emigration and Immigration (DEI), a diplomatic or consular mission, or home delivery where available. The options shown depend on your country of residence.
Common problems with the ePass.bj app
- The confirmation code does not arrive by email: check your spam folder, then contact support on WhatsApp at +229 01 98 91 91 91 or at ediaspora@gouv.bj.
- The app closes when the camera opens for fingerprints: iPhone users have reported this. Do the capture on an Android phone or a tablet, using the same account.
- The app is sluggish: close it completely and restart it. Steps you have already completed remain saved in the tracking screen.
- No collection point is shown: report it to support before paying.
Renew your passport with the ePass.bj app
- 1Create your profileInstall ePass.bj, tap “Démarrer” (start), then enter your email address, your NPI and your consular registration number. Confirm with the code sent to you by email.
- 2Choose the serviceOn the home screen, choose “Renouveler le passeport d'un adulte” (renew an adult's passport) or “Renouveler le passeport d'un mineur” (renew a minor's passport).
- 3Complete the application and attach the documentsFill in your personal details and upload the requested copies: passport, birth certificate, CIP and, where applicable, proof of profession or parental consent.
- 4Complete the biometric captureFollow the video guides: portrait, four fingerprints from each hand, then each thumb, and your signature. A check confirms that you are really in front of the screen.
- 5Pay and submitPay the fees online, choose how to collect your passport, then submit the application for review.
- 6Track your applicationThe “Suivi” (tracking) tab shows each stage: registration, payment, details, biometric capture, review, then production and collection.
Screenshots : ePass.bj
The four main stages, shown at start-up. 
The home screen: adult's passport, minor's passport, tracking. 
Fingerprints are taken with the camera, no scanner needed. 
Tracking the application, step by step.
Screenshot published by Government of Benin, Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Google Play.
Frequently asked questions
Can I renew my Beninese passport from Belgium?
Yes. The ePass.bj app is intended for Beninese nationals living abroad, both adults and minors. You need an old biometric passport, an NPI and a consular registration number.
How much does a passport cost through ePass?
The amount is not published in advance: it is shown when you pay online. The fees must be paid before processing and are non-refundable.
How long does it take to receive the passport?
The ministry states four weeks from approval of the application. Users report receiving it within three weeks to a month.
Can I apply for a child?
Yes, using the “Renouveler le passeport d'un mineur” (renew a minor's passport) option. Parental consent and the parent's or guardian's details are required.
I don't have a consular registration number. What should I do?
Apply for one free of charge online on the iDiaspora platform: allow about 72 hours. If you have an NPI, only proof of residence in Belgium is required.
Can I get a first passport with ePass.bj?
No, ePass only covers the renewal of a biometric passport. For a first application, follow the standard procedure with the consulate's help.
Sources
- Gouvernement du Bénin : lancement d'ePASS (21 octobre 2025)
- ePass : questions fréquentes officielles
- Portail ePass du ministère des Affaires étrangères
- Fiche Google Play d'ePass.bj
- Fiche App Store d'ePass.bj (avis d'utilisateurs)
- La Nouvelle Tribune : renouvellement à distance en 30 minutes (juin 2026)
Guide checked in October 2026. The consulate does not publish any of these apps. For questions about how they work, contact the body that publishes them.