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.
ADNAN AHMED ANSARI says
11/06/2019 at 08:55Hi, I wish to travel to Cape Verde from Singapore. I am a citizen of Bangladesh holding permanent residence in Singapore. Please advise how I can obtain a visit visa to Cape Verde? I am also holding a valid Schengen Business visa with multiple entries and USA B1/B2 Visa.
Is it possible to get a visa from Singapore?
Or I can get a visa on arrival in Cape Verde?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
14/06/2019 at 21:32Hello Adnan,
In your case you can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival at one of the international airports of Cape Verde.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Toks says
03/06/2019 at 23:29Hi,
I thought Cape Verde was part of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS) which allowed for free travel amongst the member states, is this not the case?
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
04/06/2019 at 16:18Hello,
If you are a passport holder of one of the current ECOWAS countries, then you do not need a tourist visa. However, you must register online via the Ease.gov platform and pay for a Airport Security fee.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Jude says
27/05/2019 at 21:18Am Nigeria and I want to visit cape Verde, what process do I need
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
28/05/2019 at 06:12Hello Jude,
Coming from Nigeria you need to obtain a tourist visa (in advance or at the airport). Furthermore, you need to register online. For the details, see the article.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Oluwabunmi says
20/05/2019 at 21:01Am a Nigerian, l live in Lagos l want to visit the country with my Son for just 2 weeks holiday. Does Cape Verde Island has consulate embassy in Lagos or how do l go about the visa. Thanks
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
26/05/2019 at 06:39Hello,
There is no embassy / consulate in Lagos. You can obtain a tourist visa on arrival.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Anonymous says
14/05/2019 at 19:25Good Day to you. I am on a Brazilian passport and will transit Sal for 2 days could you advise the cost of the transit visa ? and the web site to apply
Thanks and Regards
Marcos
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
20/05/2019 at 19:16Hello,
Staying for 2 days means you need a tourist visa. For the price and how to apply for it, see this current article (Visa).
Thanks,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Olga says
14/05/2019 at 15:45Hello,
We are holders of Russian passports. On the Russian source we found information that there was an agreement signed in April providing free visa for holders of Russian passport. We couldn’t find information on your website regarding this. Could you please confirm whether we require visa. Thanks.
Stella Bulu says
10/05/2019 at 15:05Hello I am a holder of a Congolese passport (Dem. Rep. of Congo) and I will be travelling to Cabo Verde with my two nephews holder of a Cameroonian Passport (Cameroon). Do we need visas? We plan a 10 day vaccation trip.
Stella.
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
10/05/2019 at 20:07Hello,
Yes, in both cases you need a tourist visa.
Enjoy your holiday!
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Gulcin Emir says
07/05/2019 at 22:45Hi,
I am Turkish and I live in Netherlands. Should I apply for the visa in Netherlands or can I get one on arrival?
Thank you
Gulcin,
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
08/05/2019 at 18:43Hello Gulcin,
Both options are possible: you can request for a tourist visa at the embassy /consulate in the Netherlands or obtain one on arrival.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Clara Tambascio says
07/05/2019 at 18:27I would like to travel to Cape Verde from the United States. Do I need a visa?
Thank you,
Clara
CapeVerdeIslands.org says
07/05/2019 at 20:15Hello Clara,
Coming from the USA you need to have a tourist visa. You can obtain one via the consulate / embassy, or get one on arrival.
Best,
Team CapeVerdeIslands.org
Clara Tambascio says
14/05/2019 at 17:56It’s easier for me if I can do it on arrival. Is it a cumbersome process? What is needed for such?