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.
Marianne says
Hi!
I am Norwegian and my partner is a US citizen travelling to Cape Verde on holiday for a bit more than a week with my familiy. We are travelling with a travel company (flying from and back to Norway) and I believe payment of airport tax is sorted through them. We will also send in our passport info to the travel agency in advance. I have understood that Norwegians do not require a visa. Does my partner who is a US citizen need one? And can he get this at the airport upon arrival? There is no embassy or consulate near us.
Many thanks for your reply in advance,
Best Marianne
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Marianne,
Nice that you are going to visit the Cape Verde islands!
With your Norwegian passport you do not need any visa. You only need to register (preferable in advance) and paying the airport tax. This can also be done upon arrival if your travel agency did not take care of this.
An US passport holder can just get the tourist visa upon arrival (registration is not needed). Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Odette says
Hi we are travelling to Cape Verde on the 12th Nov we both have British passports so we were told we can enter without a Visa. But what happens if we leave the EU.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Odette,
That is correct, you do not need a tourist visa if you are a British passport holder as part of the EU. Do not forget to register in advance via the Ease platform, this saves you some time. What happens when the UK leaves is unclear.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Travel Addict says
Hi,
I have a Nigerian Pasport with indefinite leave to remain in the Uk Biometric Residence card.
I know I don’t need a visa to Cape Verde but would I need to buy a return ticket or could I buy a one way ticket and buy a return in Xape verde or do I have to purchase a return flight?
Thanks in advance
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
A return / onward ticket is not an entry requirement, however in case there are any questions this makes any discussion easier.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Penny Simpson says
Hi
I am British and hold a British passport. I am going to arrive in Cap Verde by yacht in December ( sailing from la palma). I will leave by plane a week or two later.
Do I need a visa ( or does this depend on whether the UK leaves the EU on 31 October in which case should I apply for a visa now just in case )
Is there any other registration I need ?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Penny,
Assuming the UK is still part of the EU, you do not need a visa but probably you only have to pay the TSA (Tax Security Airport) upon departure by airplane.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.
Victor Iringere says
Hi.
I am a UK resident with a UK Convention Travel Document. (I do not have a passport as I have refugee status in the UK). Ny nationality is Nigerian.
Will I need a visa to visit Cape Verde?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Victor,
As your case is pretty specific, we would advice you to contact the embassy / consulate.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
greatness nwagu says
I’m from nigeria leaving in senegal how much will cape verde visa cost me from senegal
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
If you are a Nigerian passport holder you do not need a visa, however you need to register online (preferably prior to arrival) and pay the airport security fee (around 34 euro).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Christine Norman says
Hello how much is a single entry tourist visa if you apply at the consulate in London?
Can I make an appointment online and book an appointment online too?
Thank you.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Christine,
If you have a British Citizen passport you can enter Cape Verde without a visa, but you should register with the Cape Verde authorities before travelling to the islands. In the case you need a visa and buy it in advance, the costs will be around 50 euro’s (rough estimate).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Ricardo says
Hello, im from venezuela currently loving in spain,
Which means im a residente in the eu, do i need a visa for less than 30 days or should i get a visa?
Im going to cape verde to visit my girlfriend, she’ll be working there for 3 months and i want to make sure im allowed to go there for a short visit
Thanks!
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Ricardo,
If we are correct, you are Venezuelan passport holder. This means you need a tourist visa (max 30 days visit), which can be obtained upon arrival at one of the international airports.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Karen Davies says
Hi,
We are looking to travel to Sal, Cape Verde in November this year for a weeks holiday.
We are all UK citizens with British Passports.
Please can you tell me if we will need to get a visa, as it looks like as from 31st October we will no longer be part of the European Union.
I look forward to hearing back from you.
Thanks
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Karen,
We are not sure what will happen with the agreement, but in case you indeed need a visa (which we don’t believe that will happen), then you can also arrange it upon arrival at the international airport of Sal.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Mousa says
Hey There,
i am a syrian refugee in Germany i am also stateless. I have a travel document (convention document of 28.July 1951) I have also permanent resident permission for Germany. I want to spend my vacation in Cape Verde (for about 2 weeks)
Do I need a visa and is it possible at all to get it?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Mousa,
As your case is so specific, we would recommend you to contact the Cape Verde embassy. Website is: www. embassy-capeverde. de
They can help you further.
Good luck!
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org