Cape Verde:Visa Requirements

Cape VerdeLearn the visa requirements for this country. Last check:Last update:

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Cape Verde Visa Requirements Map

Cape Verde: Visa Requirements

Visa requirements may change. Always verify the latest information through official government sources.

Visa-Free Entry Requirements

  • The traveler must have a valid passport or another travel document recognized by Cabo Verde. Acceptable documents may include a passport or equivalent travel document, laissez-passer issued by recognized states or international organizations, refugee travel document, and other documents accepted under international agreements. Entry with a national identity document is only possible if there is a specific international agreement on this matter.
  • The current government service page requires the passport to be valid for at least six months on the date of entry into Cabo Verde. Each traveler, including infants, must carry their own passport. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • A common requirement for all visa-free travelers regarding the passport being biometric or machine-readable has not been published. Forged, altered, or travel documents belonging to another person are not accepted. Detailed criteria for damaged passports are not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • Except for persons legally exempted, pre-registration must be completed via the EASE system no later than five days before the start of the journey. The pre-registration includes passport information, planned date of entry, flight number, date of departure from the country, accommodation, and contact information. Pre-registration is not a visa and does not eliminate the obligation of a visa-required traveler to obtain a visa.
  • A traveler disembarking from an international flight in Cabo Verde, unless exempted, must pay the Airport Security Fee of 3,400 CVE via EASE. If the journey does not take place after pre-registration and TSA payment, the registration is usable for one year from its date of issuance. The traveler must be able to present the pre-registration document at the border. Whether the document must be carried in printed or digital form is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • If the traveler arrives at the border without pre-registration, the registration can be completed upon arrival through the border system. In this case, the TSA and any applicable registration fee or surcharge are collected. A traveler who is required to obtain a consular visa in advance cannot substitute the missing visa by completing pre-registration at the border.
  • The traveler must have sufficient financial means to cover the duration of stay and the journey of departure from Cabo Verde. Financial solvency may be evidenced by a bank statement, money deposited or transferred to a bank account in Cabo Verde, a credit card or check accepted by local banks, legal income obtained in the country, or a paid hotel reservation.
  • A different assessment may be made when accommodation and meal expenses are covered by another person, a return or onward ticket is held, or a valid responsibility undertaking is submitted. The sponsor may be required to demonstrate financial capacity through a bank document, income document, tax declaration, payslip, or another reliable document, and to assume costs of accommodation, subsistence, and removal from the country if necessary.
  • While the 2015 legislation set initial amounts for financial solvency, it provided for automatic updating of these amounts. The current per-person minimum amount is not precisely specified in the central official source. The number of months that the bank statement must cover is also not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • The border officer may request a return or onward ticket, hotel reservation, accommodation address, travel itinerary, business or visit invitation, and documents showing the right to enter the next country of destination to verify the purpose of travel and conditions of stay.
  • The requirement for travel health insurance and the minimum insurance coverage amount for general visa-free entry are not precisely specified in the central official source. A general vaccination requirement for ordinary short-term entries has not been announced.
  • If a child under sixteen years of age is traveling without the person exercising parental authority or legal guardianship, written travel authorization must be submitted. The signature of the person granting authorization must be certified by a notary or Cabo Verde consular services. A person responsible for the child's stay in Cabo Verde must also be present.
  • The maximum visa-free stay duration varies according to the exemption decision applicable to the traveler or the international agreement. If the traveler wishes to stay longer than the permitted duration, they must obtain an appropriate visa or extension of stay.
  • Possession of a passport, EASE registration, financial solvency, and other documents does not confer an unconditional right to enter the country. The final admission decision is made during border control.

E-Visa Application Requirements

  • An online visa application can only be used if the EASE system offers this option to the applicant and for the selected visa type. From 1 January 2026, some applicants must obtain their entry and transit visas from a Cabo Verde embassy or consulate before travel, instead of an online or border visa.
  • During the application, personal information, passport details, contact information, travel date, flight details, date of departure from the country, accommodation address, and requested visa type are entered into the system. The system may request additional fields or documents based on nationality, country of residence, purpose of travel, and visa type.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months on the date of entry into Cabo Verde. A scan of the passport's personal information page may be requested; a universal central list of all passport pages to be submitted has not been published. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • The application requires a valid passport and a compliant photograph. The number of photos, size, background color, date of taking, resolution, file format, and maximum file size are not precisely specified in the central official source. The technical instructions displayed by the portal during the application should be followed.
  • All fields of the online form must be filled correctly and completely. A common central instruction applicable to all regarding the use of a wet signature or electronic signature in the online application has not been published.
  • For a tourism visa, a transport document allowing entry to and exit from Cabo Verde, sufficient financial means for the intended stay, and a valid travel document are required. Additional documents such as hotel reservation, private accommodation address, return or onward ticket, and documents explaining the purpose of travel may be requested.
  • The current online individual tourism visa fee is 2,500 CVE. The 3,400 CVE TSA applicable for international air travel is separate from this fee. The card types or other payment methods accepted during online payment are not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • The tourism visa must be used within 180 days after issuance and allows a stay of up to 90 days. The stay may be extended for up to the same period if conditions are met. The validity of the visa cannot exceed the validity of the passport.
  • How far in advance the application must be made and the standard processing time are not precisely specified in the central official source. The EASE passenger pre-registration, however, must be completed no later than five days before the journey.
  • Whether the electronic visa or approval document must be carried in printed or digital form is not precisely specified in the central official source. The traveler must be able to present the application and payment proof at the border when required.
  • A common central requirement applicable to all online applicants regarding fingerprints, facial biometrics, or mandatory interview has not been published. The competent authority may request additional documents, explanations, or consular processing for the evaluation of the application.
  • The issuance of an online visa does not confer a definitive right to enter the country. The passport, purpose of travel, accommodation, return ticket, and financial solvency documents may be rechecked at the border.

Visa on Arrival Requirements

  • Visa on arrival is not an unconditional system open to all travelers. An opportunity to apply at the border may exist, particularly for persons legally residing in a country where Cabo Verde has no diplomatic or consular representation. However, applicants who are required to obtain a visa in advance cannot benefit from this opportunity.
  • A visa on arrival can only be issued at air or sea border posts authorized to issue visas. The current and complete list of usable border posts is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • The traveler must present a passport valid for at least six months on the date of entry into Cabo Verde. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • A traveler applying at the border for tourism purposes may be asked for a return or onward ticket, sufficient financial means, accommodation address, hotel reservation, and documents showing the purpose of travel. If a transit visa is requested, a visa or proof of visa exemption for the destination country and an onward travel ticket must be submitted.
  • If EASE pre-registration has not been done in advance, the registration can be completed at the border. A traveler arriving by air and not exempt from TSA must pay the TSA and any applicable additional border fees.
  • The current fee for a tourism or transit visa issued at an authorized border post is 5,000 CVE. This amount includes the visa fee and the border issuance surcharge. Accepted payment methods are not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • A tourism visa issued at the border may allow a stay of up to 90 days and can be extended for the same period if conditions are met. A transit visa issued at the border is single-entry, valid for four days, and may be extended once.
  • The standard processing time for a visa on arrival is not precisely specified in the central official source. A detailed central checklist applicable to all regarding the number of photos, photo specifications, passport photocopies, and method of signing the application form has not been published.
  • The existence of the right to apply at the border does not guarantee that the visa or entry into the country will be approved. The border authority may request additional documents or reject the application if entry conditions are not met.

Consular Visa Application Requirements

  • The application must be made to an authorized Cabo Verde embassy or consulate. When online application is permitted, EASE may be used; in other cases, an online appointment must be made and the application must be submitted to the consular post.
  • Some applicants, even if traveling for tourism purposes or only in transit, must obtain their visa before travel from the Cabo Verde consular post closest to their place of residence.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months on the date of entry into Cabo Verde. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not precisely specified in the central official source. Which pages of the passport are to be copied or scanned may vary by consular post.
  • The application form must be filled with correct and complete information. In paper applications, the form may need to be signed by the applicant or, if necessary, by the legal representative. A detailed central instruction applicable to all consular posts regarding the method of filling the form, the pen color to be used, and the fields where the signature is to be placed has not been published.
  • A compliant photograph must be submitted with the application. The number of photos, size, background color, date of taking, and technical specifications are not precisely specified in the central official source. The current checklist of the consular post being applied to should be followed.
  • For a tourism visa, a transport document allowing entry to and exit from Cabo Verde, sufficient financial means, accommodation information, and documents confirming the purpose of travel must be submitted. A return ticket, flight reservation, hotel reservation, travel itinerary, or invitation letter may be requested.
  • Financial solvency may be evidenced by a bank statement, money deposited into a bank account, an accepted credit card or check, regular income, a payslip, paid accommodation, or a valid sponsor commitment. The period that the bank statement must cover and the current minimum balance are not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • For sponsored travels, the sponsor's valid identity or travel document, document showing legal residence in Cabo Verde, address, and proof of financial solvency may be requested. The sponsor must submit a responsibility undertaking stating that they assume the traveler's subsistence, accommodation, and, if necessary, removal expenses. The competent authority may verify the sponsor's income, bank status, and accommodation capacity.
  • A temporary visa may be used for cultural activity, business trip, work shorter than one year, seasonal activity, medical treatment, family visit, or other acceptable purposes lasting longer than three months but less than one year.
  • For a temporary visa application, a transport document for entry and exit, sufficient financial means, a travel document valid longer than the permitted stay, a medical report or equivalent document, an international vaccination certificate, and a document confirming the purpose of travel must be submitted. If traveling for work or service, a contract or professional document duly approved by Cabo Verde authorities may be requested.
  • For a temporary visa application, if requested, a police clearance certificate issued by the country of nationality or habitual residence must be submitted. The document must be valid for at least six months, translated into Portuguese, and legalized by Cabo Verde consular services.
  • For a temporary visa, a repatriation guarantee or bank guarantee in the amount calculated by adding 10 percent to the value of the return ticket may be required.
  • A temporary visa may be issued as single-entry or multiple-entry and must be used within 180 days after issuance. A single-entry temporary visa allows a stay of up to 180 days, depending on the intended duration. A multiple-entry temporary visa allows multiple entries and a total stay of 90 days within a one-year period from the date of issuance. In justified cases, the temporary stay may be extended up to one year.
  • A residence visa may be used for employment, independent professional activity, investment, higher education longer than one year, or family reunification. The application requires a transport document, sufficient financial means, a travel document valid longer than the permitted stay, a medical report, an international vaccination certificate, a document proving the purpose of travel, and proof of suitable accommodation.
  • For a residence application for employment, an employment contract, service contract, or document proving professional activity; for investment, company or investment documents; for education, an acceptance or enrollment certificate; for family reunification, documents showing birth, marriage, guardianship, or family ties may be requested.
  • For a residence visa application, if requested, a police clearance certificate issued by the country of nationality or habitual residence, valid for at least six months, must be submitted. The document must be translated into Portuguese and approved by Cabo Verde consular services.
  • The residence visa allows its holder to stay in Cabo Verde for six months and may be extended until a final decision on the residence permit is made.
  • If an applicant under sixteen years of age will travel without a parent or legal guardian, a written consent certified by a notary or Cabo Verde consulate must be submitted. A birth certificate, custody decision, and documents of the person who will assume responsibility for the child in Cabo Verde may be requested.
  • If the application is made in a country other than the country of nationality, the consular post being applied to may request a residence permit, work permit, or similar document showing legal residence in that country. The details of this requirement vary by consular post.
  • The requirement for general travel health insurance and the minimum coverage amount for a short-term tourism visa are not precisely specified in the central official source. For temporary and residence visas, the medical report and international vaccination certificate are regulated as separate conditions.
  • The acceptance and processing fee for a temporary visa application is 1,500 CVE. The ordinary temporary visa fee is 4,000 CVE, the multiple-entry temporary visa fee is 10,000 CVE. The acceptance and processing fee for a residence visa application is 1,500 CVE, the residence visa fee is 5,000 CVE. An additional 100 CVE may be charged for a paper application form. Official, diplomatic, and courtesy visas are exempt from fees.
  • The single total fee for a consular tourism visa applicable at all consular posts is not precisely specified in the central official source. The local currency equivalent of the fee, consular service charges, and payment method may vary depending on the consular post being applied to.
  • Fees must be paid in full at the time they are requested by the DEF. A payment receipt is issued under the general state collection system; for electronic applications, proof of payment may be submitted electronically. There is no single central list applicable to all consular posts for accepted credit cards, bank transfers, or cash payment conditions.
  • How far in advance the application must be made and the standard processing time are not precisely specified in the central official source. The processing time may vary depending on the visa type, application location, and whether additional review is required.
  • A common central requirement applicable to all consular applications regarding fingerprints, facial biometrics, or mandatory interview has not been published. The consular post may request additional documents, in-person application, interview, or submission of original documents.
  • The issuance of a visa does not confer an unconditional right to enter the country. The purpose of travel, accommodation, financial solvency, return ticket, and supporting documents may be rechecked at the border.

Transit Visa Requirements

  • A transit visa is issued to a traveler who needs to disembark from an aircraft or ship in Cabo Verde to reach another country. Generally, a transit visa is not required for uninterrupted journeys interrupted only by a technical stop of the vehicle. However, travelers who are required to obtain a transit or airport stopover visa in advance must apply to the consular post before their journey, including for technical stops.
  • The passport must be valid for at least six months on the date of entry into Cabo Verde. The number of blank pages required in the passport is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • The applicant must submit a valid visa for the destination country or a document showing exemption from such visa, sufficient financial means, and a transport ticket to the next country.
  • If the competent authority deems it necessary, it may request a police clearance certificate issued by the competent authority of the country of nationality or habitual residence. The document must be valid for at least six months, translated into Portuguese, and legalized by Cabo Verde consular services.
  • The transit visa is single-entry, valid for four days, and may be extended once. The validity of the visa cannot exceed the validity of the travel document.
  • Transit passengers remaining in the international transit area of the airport and not entering the country are exempt from TSA. If the traveler needs to leave the transit area or enter Cabo Verde, visa, entry, and TSA conditions may apply separately.
  • The current fee for a transit visa issued at an authorized border post, including the border issuance surcharge, is 5,000 CVE. The exact fee for a transit visa to be obtained from the consulate before travel is not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • The specific number and specifications of photos for a transit visa, bank statement period, travel insurance coverage, payment method, and standard processing time are not precisely specified in the central official source.
  • A transit visa on arrival is not available to all travelers. A traveler who is required to obtain a visa in advance may face denial of transit when arriving without an entry or transit visa.
Population
529,630(2026 est.)
Official language
Portuguese
Government type
Semi-presidential republic
Continent
Africa
Capital
Praia
Currency
Cape Verdean escudos
Area
4,033 km²
Phone code
+238

Cape Verde: Key Destinations

Cape Verde's principal gateway is Sal Island, home to the international airport serving most long-haul flights. The capital, Praia on Santiago Island, is the country's largest city and administrative hub. Mindelo on São Vicente offers a vibrant cultural scene and is a key port of call.

The archipelago's diverse culture blends African and Portuguese influences, evident in music and cuisine. White-sand beaches and volcanic landscapes define the islands, with Boa Vista and Sal attracting beachgoers, while Fogo features an active volcano. Ecotourism and windsurfing are popular activities across the islands.

Travelers often begin on Sal or Boa Vista for coastal relaxation, then hop islands via domestic flights or ferries to explore Santiago's historic towns and São Vicente's nightlife. Inter-island connections link Praia, Mindelo, and other major settlements, allowing multi-island itineraries. Route flexibility depends on seasonal ferry schedules and flight availability.