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. Entry rules can change at short notice, so always verify your own situation with an official source before you book and again shortly before departure: the Cape Verdean government platform EASE, the nearest Cape Verdean embassy or consulate, or the travel advice of your own government (for example the UK FCDO entry requirements for Cape Verde). The information below is a guide, not a substitute for those sources.

In short

  • Travellers from the EU, UK and many other countries do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days
  • Online pre-registration (EASE) is required before arrival
  • Passport must be valid for at least 6 months
  • Extensions for longer stays can be arranged on the islands
  • Children must hold their own valid travel documents
  • Different visa types apply for stays beyond 30 days.
  • Recommended to complete pre-registration at least 5 days before travel

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-exempt 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-exempt countries, which are mostly 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 must apply for a visa in advance at:

  • The Cape Verde embassy or consulate in your own country. As a reference, a single-entry tourist visa costs approximately 45 euro per person in Belgium, excluding shipping; Cape Verdean consulates elsewhere in Europe charge the same rate. For children under 12 years the visa is free of charge. Processing time is typically 2-15 working days, so apply at least 2-3 weeks;
  • Visa-on-arrival at Cape Verde airports is no longer possible as of January 1, 2026.

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-exempt countries

For short stays a visa to enter Cape Verde is not needed for citizens from:

  • European Union (30 day stay);
  • Other Europe: Andorra, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Monaco, Norway, San Marino, United Kingdom, Switzerland and Vatican City (30 day stay);
  • Asia: Singapore, Timor-Leste (30 day stay); Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR (90 day stay);
  • North America: Canada, United States (30 day stay);
  • South America: Brasil (30 day stay);
  • Africa: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Morocco, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria*, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Togo (90 day stay).

Even if your nationality requires a visa, you may be exempt in certain cases. This includes airline crew members on duty, holders of a valid EU residence permit with readmission guarantee, legal residents of Cape Verde, certain diplomatic passport holders, and persons born in Cape Verde who later acquired a foreign nationality. If you believe you qualify for an exemption, verify this with a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate before traveling.

Note: You still need to register. See section ‘Mandatory registration & Airport Security Fee (TSA)’ at the end of this article.
* Nigerians have difficulty obtaining an EASE to Cape Verde.

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, Boa Vista, Praia (Santiago), Mindelo (São 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 stay beyond the period you are allowed, you are in the country without permission. The border police (Direcção de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras) can impose a fine when you leave, and in more serious cases an expulsion and an entry ban are possible. The amount depends on how far you exceeded your stay and is set by the Cape Verdean authorities - do not count on a few days going unnoticed. Prolong your visa in good time before it expires, and check any doubtful case with a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate beforehand.

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 sailing boat you have to arrive via one of the larger harbors. These harbours are: Praia (Santiago), Porto Grande / Mindelo (São Vicente), Palmeira (Sal). Arriving to Cape Verde via another harbor is not permitted. Upon arrival at the harbour 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

Do I need a visa for Cape Verde?

It depends on your nationality. Travelers from visa-exempt countries (EU, UK, USA, Canada, ECOWAS, etc.) do not need a visa for stays up to 30 days, only EASE registration and TSA payment. All other nationalities must obtain a visa in advance at an embassy or consulate.

What does a visa cost?

The amount depends on where you apply. At a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate, the consular fee for a single-entry tourist visa is around 45 euros, excluding shipping, and free for children under 12. The 25 to 30 euros still often quoted was the visa issued on arrival at the airport. Since 1 January 2026 that visa is no longer issued to nationals of the countries on Cape Verde’s visa list; since the visa exemption it had not applied to visa-exempt travellers anyway. It should also not be confused with the Airport Security Fee (TSA) of around 3,400 CVE (about 30 euros), which every air passenger pays via EASE, whether they need a visa or not. If you do not need a visa, the EASE registration requirement still applies.

Is registration required to enter Cape Verde?

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.

How long must your passport be valid for Cape Verde?

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months when you arrive to the Cape Verde Islands.