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.
Felix says
I am. Ghanaian passport holder and would like to visit cape Verde for 10 days. Do I need a visa?
Prince Sharma says
Hi There,
I am an Indian passport holder but staying in Denmark with my danish wife. We have planned to travel to Cape Verde on december 12th 2019 til 20 december 2019.
I am bit confused here that I might would need Visa to travel and if I do, so can you please show me the way to apply online please?
Regards
Prince Sharma
Tessa says
We are travelling to Cape Verde from the UK on 1st Nov for 4 nights. As UK residents we may or may not be part of Europe after 31st Oct so do we need a Visa or not?
many thanks.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Tessa,
Unfortuntely this is unclear. If you need some confirmation we would advice you to contact the embassy.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIsland.org
Sallie says
Please can you confirm if a visa is granted on arrival at the airport for a Turkish citizen entering for 1 week package holiday (with his British family) using Turkish Passport?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
Confirming if you can get a visa is of course up to the customs ;-). However, you can apply for a visa upon arrival at the airport.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Paul says
Hello, we are a family of 3 Australian citizens living in Dakar visiting Sal for 1 week in October. Will we need a visa from the Cabo Verde embassy before departure, or can we obtain visas on arrival at Sal airport customs.
Many thanks, Paul
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
It is possible – if your papers are ok – to obtain an tourist visa upon arrival at one of the international airports of Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Paul Humphries says
Hi CapeVerdeIslands,
On checking with the Cape Verde embassy in Dakar today we’ve been told that the Visa process has changed and Australians coming to Cape Verde from Dakar are required to obtain a visa before departure; that it’s not possible to obtain visas on arrival at Sal. The visa fee through the Embassy is the equivalent of 90 Euro per person for visas. Can you advise if this is correct or is it perhaps a bit of a ploy to go through the embassy? Many thanks, Paul.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello,
We have never heard this kind of cases before. We not sure if it is true, but it sounds a bit odd. We would advice you to double check this. Based on our latest information Austrian passport holders can just obtain a tourist visa upon arrival at the airport (around 25 euro’s).
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Rafael Rodriguez Cruz says
What are the steps to get a Visa for a minor child visiting Cape Verde from the United States, with no Cape Verde citizenship? Does both parents have to request the visa?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Rafael,
Minors also need a visa. For children under 12 years it is free of charge. You can request a visa for your child, this is also possible upon arrival at the airport in Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Lee Colmer says
Re: passport validity re: flight stopover in Cape Verde
Good afternoon,
I’m a UK citizen and resident. I’m going on holiday to Lisbon and then Senegal in October. I’d like to fly with Cabo Verde Airlines – the flight goes from Lisbon to Dakar with a stopover of about 4 hours in Sal.
My passport will expire in March and will therefore have about 4.5 months remaining, and I understand that visitors to Cape Verde must have 6 months remaining on their passport. However I assume I’ll be classed as a transit / transfer passenger and not a visitor, and therefore this won’t be a problem? Please confirm.
Also, please confirm whether I’d have to pay the Airport Security Fee (TSA) as it seems that transfer passengers are also exempt from this?
Many thanks for your help.
Lee Colmer
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Lee,
We assume you will not cross the customs as a transfer passenger right? In this case you do not need to register and do not need to pay the Airport Security Fee. Same applies for your passport, remaining 4,5 months is not relevant.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Andrew Graham says
I am a UK national and British passport holder and want to stay in Sal for 6 months from the start of Nov this year. Do I need to get a 6 month residency visa or just extend each month the 30 day tourist visa/TSA application whilst there? Also, my daughters who are 16 and 12 plan to visit for a holiday in Nov, along with their friend who is also 16 (all UK born and passport holders), but as I will already be in CV they will be flying and arriving in country without me so would there be any issues getting thru passport control with std online TSA application completed 7 days to flight date? As I have read that there needs to be an adult who is responsible for them whilst in CV, which I obviously will be, although just not present at the passport counter with them, I’ll be waiting for them in the arrivals hall.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
Hello Andrew,
A tourist visa can be extended up to three months, so that is not the best option in your case. If it just for staying in Cape Verde (so not directly related to work) a residency visa is the one you probably need.
Regarding the question of travelling with a adult, we have never heard about this. In our opinion it sounds a bit too strict, however to be sure you can mail / phone the embassy to verify. They are located in the UK.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Andrew Graham says
Hi and thank you for your reply. I’ve heard the residency Visa is a nightmare and very bureaucratic to apply for so thought a tourist Visa initially then extend in it for an extra three months whilst there would be the simpler and easier solution? I will be leaving Cape Verde during this time anyway so would my 3 month visa extension be valid upon re-entry to CV pls? Is it multiple entry for time before expiration date pls? Finally are the 30 day tourist visas valid for 6 months from first entry for multi entry up to 30 days stay there or so I need to apply for them every time my daughters come over to visit me pls?