Cabo Verde visas
Whether you need a visa for Cabo Verde depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Citizens of many countries are exempt from a short-stay visa, but almost all air travellers must still complete the mandatory EASE pre-registration and pay the Airport Security Tax (TSA) before arrival, while longer stays for work, study, family or residence require a permit. Entry, visas and residence are administered by the Direção de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (DEF), with short-stay visas issued through Cabo Verdean embassies and consulates under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Cabo Verdean visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Cabo Verde — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.3 visas
- Work visasComing to Cabo Verde to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Cabo Verde — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Cabo Verde.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Cabo Verde as a highly skilled individual.5 visas
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Cabo Verde long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.3 visas
Cabo Verdean visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Who needs a visa to visit Cape Verde?
Visitors to Cape Verde are required to obtain a visa unless they are citizens of one of the visa-exempt nations, which are primarily located in Africa, Europe, and the Americas. Visas can be requested in advance via an embassy or consulate of Cape Verde, or in person at any of the international airports.
Entry into Cape Verde
There are no COVID-19 limitations on travel from Ireland to Cape Verde. Passengers are not required to produce COVID-19 immunisation or testing certificates or to complete a Passenger Locator Form.
Before departure, every passenger must:
- Register on the EASE online platform. Registration should ideally be completed five days before to departure.
- Complete a Travel Form for International Travel on the COVID-19.CV website.
- On arrival in Cape Verde, each passenger's temperature will be tested. Those exhibiting symptoms like high fever will be transported to a designated area within the airport. If your fever stays above, the authorities of Cape Verde may request that you undergo a COVID-19 test.
Eligibility to apply for a Cape Verde visa
The criteria to apply for a Cape Verde visa depends on what sort of visa you are applying for. Below is a list of the requirements needed for your visa.
- Official passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the scheduled date of departure from Cabo Verde territory and contain at least two blank visa pages.
- Form required before entering the country.
- Include two passport-style photographs with a white background that were taken within the previous six months.
Processing time for Cape Verde visas
The majority of cases are approved within twenty-four hours. However, some applications may require more time to process. You are suggested to complete the pre-registration procedures five days prior to your scheduled departure.
Who can visit Cape Verde without a visa?
Citizens of Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hong Kong, Liberia, Macau, Mali, Mauritania, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo may visit Cape Verde visa-free for up to 90 days. Visitors arriving in Cape Verde from any country not listed above will be required to present a valid visa.
What to do if your Cape Verde visa is rejected?
You have the right to contest this verdict. The embassy of the Member State that decided to deny the visa distributes a standard form to notify the applicant of the decision to deny a Canada visa and the reasons for the denial.
Cabo Verde — key facts
- Visa authority
- Direção de Estrangeiros e Fronteiras (DEF)
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- Cape Verdean escudo (CVE)
- Time zone
- Cape Verde Time (UTC−01:00)
Cabo Verdean visas — people also ask
If you leave the country aboard the cruise ship, you do not require a visa. If you exit Cape Verde by air after disembarking from a cruise ship, you must have a valid visa.
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.