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 (30 days) a visa to enter Cape Verde is not needed for citizens from:
- European Union
- Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Lichtenstein
- Macau, Singapore, Hong Kong
- Several African countries
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.
Registration & Airport Security Fee (TSA)
Before travelling to Cape Verde you should register with the Cape Verde authorities via an online platform. 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 an online platform (preference). This can be also arranged at the border (customs). For more information read the article about the Airport Security Fee.
Karabo says
Hi
We stay in Canada but carry South African passports
Do I need a visa for Cape Verde ?
Amie says
Hello,
I am visiting Cape Verde from Cairo,Egypt for 10 days. Do I need a visa?
Thank you.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Amie,
Yes, if you are coming from Egypt you need a tourist visa to enter Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
amie medhat says
How can I get it? Is it online or on arrival?
And how much does it cost?
Thank you.
Louise says
Hello am travelling to Cape Verde on a Kenyan passport. I reside in the UK. Do I need a visa?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
If you are a Kenyan passport holder you can obtain a tourist visa on arrival.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
ALUN CURTIS says
hI,
I have a UK passport and will be visiting for 38 days. How do I get a visa for the 8 extra days? Do I pay the tax as well?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Citizens of the UK can visit Cape Verde without a visa, but must register (online or at the airport) and also pay the airport security fee. So fortunately a tourist visa is not needed for you.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Rebecca Light says
I have registered for the TSA and have received confirmation of the submission. Although 5 days have now passed I have not received the validation email. They say to contact the. If not received within 48 hours which I have done but they do not reply.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Rebecca,
Hopefully they will contact you soon! Otherwise the confirmation of the submission would also be enough right?!
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Teza says
Hi,
I hold a British Travel Document with settlement status in the UK. Do I need a visa to visit Cape Verde as a tourist?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
As your situation is very specific, we would recommend you to contact the consulate or embassasy. They can give you the best advice.
Thanks,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Darren says
Hi I’m an Australian passport holder. So I need a visa to enter Cape Verde?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Yes, citizens of Australia need to obtain a visa to enter the Cape Verde islands.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Anonymous says
Hello
Are we able to apply on entering Cape Verde? If so what is the cost please as well?
Thank you
Stijn says
Dear,
We (my wife, baby boy and me) will be traveling soon to Cape Verde. The baby is 9 months old now: does he also have to register? Does he also have to pay the TSA?
Many thanks,
Stijn
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Stijn,
Children under 2 years are exempt for it, so a registration for him is not needed.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Denise Crawford says
Hello, I’m travelling to Cape Verde on 1st April from the UK. I’ve been trying to register to pay the airport security fee for the past two weeks now and I can’t get past personal information page. When I click on the next step I get an ‘error server application’, message.
If this is something I need to do before travelling to Cape Verde, I’d like to know what other way I can go about registering?
Many thanks
Denise
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Denise,
Unfortuntely this is a known issue, it seems the page of Ease.gov.cv is sometimes unavailable.
Two option:
a) re-try to register via the aforementioned site. Hopefully you are lucky :-).
2) register when arriving in Cape Verde. This is not problem and can be done at the customs.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org