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.
Anita Roberts says
Hello, I am a UK National and arriving by cruise ship… I am disembarking that day (earlier than intended) and believe I require a visa as this is not classed as ‘in transit’
I have a return flight home to the UK the same day I disembark.
What is the fee for a visa and how do I go about obtains this?
Thanks
Anita
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Anita,
As a UK citizen you can visit Cape Verde without a visa. Please not that you might need to register at the custom / border.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Barbara Poole says
We are US citizens with valid passports, scheduled to arrive in Cabo Verde from Lisboa at 11:pm on April 9th.
We have not been able to find out how to get our tourist visas before we get to Cabo Verde, other than to mail our passports to a visa service, which we are reluctant do to this close to our travel dates.
Can you please advise us on the following:
– Can we get our tourist visas when we arrive at the airport in Santiago that late?
– Or can you recommend a local service near San Francisco, CA where we could do it in person before we leave on April 1st?
– Or can we get it from you before we leave?
Thank you!
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Barbara,
You just can get your tourist visa upon arrival at the international aiport of Santiago. Make sure you also have some cash (euro or escudo) with you in case the card machine is not working.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Shantania Codling says
I am planning to come to cape verde in a few weeks with my partner for my birthday. I am a Jamaican Citizen with a 10 year Permit to live in the UK. Can I get Visa Upon Arrival or do I need to visit a consulate?
Is it okay for me to get a Visa Online with TUI?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Shantania,
If you are a Jamaican passport holder you need to obtain a visa in advance or in person upon arrival. Getting your via online via TUI should be ok.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
michael astley says
my partner as indefant leave to remain she as bin in england 15 years she holds a jamacan passport does she need to register with the cape verdi embassy as we are planing to go to cape verdi xmas for ten days
CK Khoo says
My wife and I are on a TUI package tour from Manchester to Sal. We are Malaysian citizens. TUI website says the visa fee is included in the package. Is this right or just applicable for UK citizens? Are we liable for the security fee as well?
Rgds
Khoo
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hi Khoo,
As you have a TUI – and we don’t know what it is in it – we advice you to contact the tour operator. They can answer you answers.
Good luck!
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Adem says
Deze,
I live and work in Belgium,
I have a citizen cart family ,because I’m married with beige partner.
We have already booked this Tuesday 5 March 2019.
My question: I don’t have nationality of belgium but I have a residence with Moroccan passport…
I need a visa ? If yes ,can I get it there ?
Beste regard
ADAM
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Adam,
If you have a Maroccan passport you need to obtain a visa before travelling to Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Rebecca says
Hello is a visa required for a Moroccan passport holder coming for one week.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
If you are Maroccan passport holder you need a visa and need to obtain it before travelling to Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Thomas says
Hi, i am from Germany, my wife from Morocco. We would like to fly from Casablanca to Praia.
Where do moroccan people get their visa from. There isn’t a consulate or embassy of Cape Verde in Morocco, right? Thanks a lot.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Thomas,
Yes, we advice you to contact the consult or embassy for this. There is one in Berlin, which you can contact (phone, mail).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Marie says
Hi, I’m a uk citizen and travelling to Cape Verde for a holiday. I’m not sure wether to apply for a visa as no one yet knows what’s going to happen with Brexit. What do you recommend?
Thanks
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Marie,
Do not worry about the visa. In case you do not know if you need one, you can also wait and obtain one when arriving in Cape Verde. Make sure you register in advance (see article), this saves you some time.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Ali says
Hi ,I am Lebanese living in Czech Republic I want to go to Cape Verde for 2 week ,i want to know how I can take viza
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Ali,
Depending on your passport you need to obtain a visa. Furthermore you have to register and pay a security fee. You can arrange it in advance (e.g. via embassy) or at the customs in Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Josefine says
Hi there!
I´m about to move to Sal Cape Verde to work.
My question for you is,
1. What kind of visa will I need?
2. How do a get a NIE number the easiest way?
Thankful for answer.
Best regards Josefine
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hi Josefine,
It depends a bit on your situation, but in general you need a residents visa and a work permit. We advice you to check the requirements based on your personal situation with the neareast Embassy.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Jill wilson says
We are due to fly on Sunday and only realised my son’s passport has only 5 months left not 6. Is this a problem? We really have no time to get a new passport in 2 days.
Regards
Jill
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hi Jill,
Cape Verdean customs are not that difficult, however to be sure please consult the embassasy.
Hope it helps a bit.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org