Getting a visa for Cape Verde is not that complicated. In this article we show you the way when & how you can obtain a visa. We indicate also why you need a visa and what kinds of visa there are.
Why a visa?
For several countries you will need a visa if you want to visit these. This also applies to the Cape Verde islands, unless you come from one of the visa-extempt countries. A visa is an official permission of the country to travel and stay there. There are different types of visas, for example a tourist visa, transit visa, residence visa and a residence permit. And there are different conditions per sort of visa. Without a visa, you can not legally enter or leave the country.
Tourist visas
A tourist visa for up to 30 days is required in Cape Verde, unless you come from one of the visa-extempt countries which are most in Africa or Europe. If a stay is longer than 30 days, the visa can be prolonged there. A visa is not required for people of Cape Verde origin (regardless their current nationality) and their spouses / children.
Applying for a tourist visa yourself is very simple. You can apply for a visa for Cape Verde in two ways:
- The Cape Verde embassy or consulate in your own country. As a reference, the cost in Belgium are approximately 45,- euro per visa excluding shipping. For children under 12 years the visa is free of charge;
- At the airport at one of the international airports of Cape Verde (Sal, Boavista, Santiago or Sao Vicente). You first take the queue to buy a visa and then pass the customs. The costs per visa are around 25,- euro. You can pay with euros or with a credit card. You have to wait in the queue a little longer but it is a cheaper alternative.
For a visa application, the following conditions are relevant:
- The passport must be valid for 6 months from the date of entry into Cape Verde. You can apply for a passport at your town hall. Do this in due time before leaving to the Cape Verde Islands;
- The passport data that you use when applying for the visa must correspond to your passport data;
- If you do the visa application through an embassy / consulate, you also must show the following: proof of return flight, proof of reservation of an accommodation or a reference and passport photo.
Visa extempt countries
For short stays a visa to enter Cape Verde is not needed for citizens from:
- European Union (30 day stay);
- Other Europe: United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Vatican City, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco (30 day stay);
- Asia: Timor-Leste, Singapore (30 day stay);
- Russia (60 day stay);
- North America: United States, Canada (30 day stay);
- South America: Brasil (30 day stay);
- Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkino Faso, Cote ‘d Lvoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierre Leone, Togo (30 day stay).
Note: You still need to register. See section ‘Mandatory registration & Airport Security Fee (TSA)’ at the end of this article.
Visa prolongation
A visa may be prolong during your stay on Cape Verde. The easiest way is to prolong your visa before it expires. You can have your visa prolonged at the office of “Direcção de Emigração e Fronteiras” in Sal, Boavista, Praia (Santiago), Mindelo (Sao Vicente) or at a police station. For the renewal of your visa you need: a valid passport with current visa, passport photo and usually also proof of where you are staying. If you are staying for a long time in Cape Verde for example for work, a rental or purchase contract is also needed.
Visa overstay
If you get beyond the maximum length of stay you will have to pay a fine. If this is only a few days then customs usually turn a blind eye to it. A fine can be up to a few hundred euros.
Passport
For a stay in Cape Verde your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Cape Verde.
Mandatory registration & Airport Security Fee (TSA)
Before travelling to Cape Verde you should register with the Cape Verde authorities via the online platform EASE. This is an electronic travel authorization for air passengers arriving on the Cape Verde islands, regardless of nationality or the need for a visa or not. Furthermore, when arriving by air – in most cases – you have to pay a security fee (Airport Security Fee – TSA). Registration and the security surcharge can be paid via the online platform EASE (preference). This can be also arranged at the border (customs). For more information read the article about the Airport Security Fee.
Arriving by boat or cruise ship
If you visit Cape Verde by saling boat you have to arrive via one of the larger harbors. These harbos are: Praia (Santiago), Porto Grande / Mindelo (São Vicente), Palmeira (Sal). Arriving to Cape Verde via another harbor is not permitted. Upon arrival at the harbos you must hand over a list of the entire crew to the customs / border police (Direcção de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) at the port office. Also make a copy of this document in case they will inspect your boat. The same rules for a visa apply as described earlier in this article.
If you are taking a cruise vacation with a destination on Cape Verde then you do not need to apply for a separate tourist visa yourself, as long as you leave the archipelago again via the cruise ship. The cruise lines usually provide the tourist visa as part of the package offered.
FAQ
A tourist visa for up to 30 days is required in Cape Verde, unless you come from one of the visa-exempt countries which are most in Africa or Europe.
Travelers from certain countries are required to have a visa. The costs are around 25-30 euros. If you do not need a visa, you still need to register with the Cape Verde authorities via the EASE platform.
Yes, all travelers are required to register via the EASE platform. Preferably a few days upon arrival. You will be asked for passport details, arrival and departure dates, et cetera.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you arrive to the Cape Verde Islands.
Timothy says
Hi,
I plan to travel to Cape Verde and hold a Zimbabwean passport. Can I get a visa on arrival?
Kind regards
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Timothy,
With a Zimbabwean passport you can indeed apply for a tourist visa upon arrival at one of the international airports of Cape Verde.
Regards,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Kev says
Hello,
I’m wanting to travel to Cape Verde from the uk for a 7 day holiday in January 2023. I currently hold a uk issued 1951 travel document and wanted to confirm what the visa requirements are when travelling with this type of document? Thanks
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Kev,
Your passport is your starting point to meet the visa requirements. So a travel document is not valid.
Hope this helps.
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Zara says
Hi Kev, I have the same document. Did you manage to get to Cape Verda eventually?
Nish says
Hi,
I am living in the U.K. and hold a Sri Lankan. Can I get a visa on arrival?
Thank you for your assistance.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
If you are a Sri Lankan passport holder you need to get a tourist visa. You can apply for one upon arrival on one of the international airports of Cape Verde.
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Joe says
Hi,
I am from the U.K. and hold a U.K. passport. However, my wife is from Kazakhstan and holds a Kazak passport. Am I correct in that I do not need a visa but my wife will have to obtain a visa on arrival?
Thank you for your assistance.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Joe,
That is correct. Please note that you – as a UK passport holder – do not need a tourist visa but still have to register (can be done on the airport).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Erik Spæren says
Dear Sir/Madam
My wife and I will visit Kap Verde in November. My wife is holder of a Japanese passport hence she needs a Visa.
We live in Norway and it is no Kap-Verde representation in this country. Can my wife buy/obtain Visa at the airport upon arrival. Myself is a holder of Norrwegian passport and to my understanding no Via required.
I will be waiting your kind advice by return.
Best regards,
E. Spæren
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Mr Spaeren,
For you – with a Norwegian passport – a visa is indeed not required although registration is needed (preferable online). For your wife – with a Japanese passport – she can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at one of the international airports.
Hope this helps.
Thanks,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Maria Pearson says
Hi
If I’m arriving via a cruise ship but leaving on a charter flight, as in going straight from ship to the airport, so I need to fill in the EASE?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Maria,
We are not sure about this, we advice you to contact the company that arrange this as they know more about the details.
Thanks,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Paul says
Hello!
i’m from Ecuador and I’m planning a trip to Cape Verde for 1 week. Do i need a Visa here or how do I apply for one? I’m checking the website but I can’t see clear information in this regard.
Can I simply “buy” a visa upon arrival at the Airport?
Thanks!
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
As a passport holder from Ecuador you can obtain a visa in advance from a Cape Verde embassy /consulate or upon arrival at one of the international airports.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Martin Alder says
Apart from passport/Visa, there are also Covid-19 related documents required. Those are either of the following:
– PCR test max. 72 hours prior to departure to Cabo Verde or antigene test max. 48 hours prior to departure
– proof of full vaccine not longer ago than 270 days, or booster shot (no time limit)
– proof of recovery.
My question goes to the last one: There are no time line restrictions mentioned when it comes to the certificate of recovery.
Please comment:
Is a recovery certificate considered like a booster with no time limit
or is it considered to be equivalent to the initial vaccine with a 270 day time limit of validity?
Thank you for your competent an reliable answer.
Martin
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
As this is a health care related question, we advice you to contact your country authorities regarding travel advice which normally also include information about the recovery certificate, COVID-19 testing, et cetera. For example, in the UK this the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
Thanks,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Martin says
Hi,
Thanks for your answer. Unfortunately it wasn’t really helpful. It is NOT any foreign country that can interpret the covid-19 related requirements of Cabo Verde, only an authority of Cabo Verde can do so!
I thought you are such a Cabo Verde authority, or at least you can get in contact with the one being able to give a clear and reliable answer to my rather simple question.
Thank you.
Looking forward to your reply.
Martin
Paul Free says
Hello.
I am looking to travel to Cape Verde January 2023 from Great Britain for possibly more than 30 days, but not more than 60.
Do I need to apply for a Visa or can I just fill out a EASE form ?.
Many thanks. Paul
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
If you are staying longer than 30 days in Cape Verde, you need indeed to apply for a Visa. Registration via the EASE form is also needed (and usefull).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Karl says
Hi
Can you get a visa upon arrival with a passport from Madagascar?
Thank you,
Karl
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Yes, if you have a passport from Madagascar you can obtain a tourist visa upon arrival.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org