Should the actions of a few individuals negatively impact others seeking entry visas to a foreign country? The anti-immigration policies of United States President Donald Trump continue to stigmatise not only migrants but also entire countries, for that matter. In response, Benin has launched an awareness campaign aimed at its citizens both at home and abroad.

Nationals from 36 countries, including 25 African nations, among which is Benin, may face travel bans to the United States. According to an internal document obtained by The Washington Post and Reuters and shared with diplomats on June 14, 2025, some of the targeted countries reportedly cannot provide “reliable identification documents” or have “too much administrative fraud,” according to Washington. Others allegedly have too many nationals who have “overstayed their visas.” These “flagged” countries have 60 days to comply with the security requirements set by the U.S. administration.

In May, the U.S. Embassy in Benin launched a digital campaign via its Facebook page to “expose” Beninese nationals who had immigrated to the U.S. 

The campaign first addressed students nearing the end of their academic programmes in the U.S., followed days later by tourists who had obtained short-stay tourist visas for the United States.

Reactions from Beninese citizens poured in on the platform, ranging from outrage to calls for diplomatic intervention from their government.

As early as mid-April, Benin’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement stressing the importance for its citizens to strictly adhere to the terms and conditions of their visas when traveling abroad. This includes respecting the entry and exit dates, permitted activities during the stay and any other restrictions listed on the visa.

Back in mid-March, in another statement, the same ministry had reassured Beninese citizens with travel plans to the U.S., to maintain those plans, following an article by The New York Times reporting that the U.S. was considering suspending visa issuance to several other countries, including Benin. The government highlighted that since 2016, it had undertaken reforms to enhance the security and reliability of official documents and maintained strong diplomatic ties with the United States.

Tout commence par un bon départ  campaign

The U.S. publication of a list of African countries potentially facing U.S. visa restrictions did not prompt an official protest from Beninese authorities. However, they responded by launching a public awareness campaign targeting their fellow citizens – a soft approach to clarify any misunderstandings, balancing individual conduct with State responsibility.

In mid-June 2025, Benin announced through a press release that it had launched a campaign to support its citizens in their international mobility efforts.

The Tout commence par un bon départ (It all starts with a good departure) campaign aims to help citizens properly prepare their applications for a safer and more streamlined move abroad.

“Every year, many Beninese citizens encounter difficulties when applying for foreign visas. These difficulties, though avoidable, often stem from incomplete or unreliable documentation, document forgery and visa overstays,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in its statement.

The statement noted that such issues could result in temporary or lifetime visa denials and expulsion from host countries in the event of overstays.

Another often-overlooked consequence, it added, is the damage to the international reputation or image of Beninese citizens, which in turn undermines the respectability of the Beninese passport.

This initiative from the Beninese government comes amid a global context of stricter immigration policies, increased vigilance from international partners – particularly the U.S. – and the growing need to demonstrate administrative reliability in all aspects of mobility.

It also responds to a rising demand for better information, support, and transparency from Beninese citizens abroad, many of whom face avoidable setbacks or visa denials due to administrative errors.

Through this campaign, Benin reaffirms its commitment to staying connected with, protecting and supporting its diaspora, while also reinforcing its diplomatic credibility on the global stage.

Three key pillars for safer mobility

Launched gradually since May, the Tout commence par un bon départ campaign is built around three main focus areas:

* Preventing the use of fake documents: a major focus is placed on educating citizens about the risks and consequences of presenting falsified documents, which can lead to bans and legal prosecution.

* Reinforcing compliance with visa conditions and deadlines: the campaign emphasises the need to understand and rigorously follow visa conditions and authorised stay durations in host countries to avoid irregular status.

* Promoting voluntary registration in the Registry of Beninese Abroad (RBE):  The RBE is a vital tool for the government to better understand and support its diaspora. Registration enables authorities to contact citizens in times of need and offer them assistance.

The campaign’s messages will be widely distributed through the official channels of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other recognised institutions to reach all Beninese citizens.

The Beninese government has reiterated its commitment to its people, both at home and abroad. The campaign encourages every citizen to get informed and involved, as international mobility can affect anyone: a brother, sister, parent or oneself.

With this initiative, Benin aims to strengthen the dignity, safety and credibility of its people and its passport on the world stage.