Cabo Verde Entry Requirements

Cabo Verde Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
The cabin door opens at Amílcar Cabral International Airport on Sal Island and Atlantic warmth rushes in, carrying the sharp bite of salt and the dry grit of volcanic dust. Inside the immigration hall, flip-flops slap against polished floors while officers stamp passports in steady rhythm under humming fluorescents. Cabo Verde greets most visitors with a quick entry drill. Yet arriving prepared separates a smooth launch from a scramble. Expect orderly queues, the compulsory online registration for every nationality, and customs officers who may fire off a few direct questions about why you've come. Every traveler, no exceptions, must file the mandatory EASE registration online before the wheels touch Cabo Verdean tarmac. This single step trips up plenty of people. Yet the form takes only minutes and saves you from being turned away at your departure gate. The volcanic archipelago runs on Portuguese-style procedure: straight lines, exact paperwork, and officers who reward travelers who have documents at the ready. Whether you're bound for Sal's bone-white beaches or Santiago's jagged peaks, knowing the entry rules lets your holiday start the instant your shoes hit the sun-baked runway.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Visa-Free Entry
30 days

Citizens of these countries can enter Cabo Verde without a visa for tourism purposes

Includes
United States United Kingdom Canada Australia New Zealand Japan South Korea European Union member states Brazil Russia South Africa

All visa-free travelers must still complete the mandatory EASE online registration before arrival

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
30 days

Countries requiring advance electronic authorization through Cabo Verde's EASE system

Includes
China India Nigeria Ghana Kenya Egypt Morocco Turkey Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates
How to Apply: Apply through the official EASE platform (ease.gov.cv) 5 days before travel. Processing typically takes 48-72 hours.
Cost: Approximately €30-34 depending on processing speed

EASE is both visa waiver and entry authorization for these nationalities

Visa Required
30 days standard tourist visa

Countries requiring embassy visa application before travel

How to Apply: Apply at nearest Cabo Verde embassy or consulate. Requires passport photos, flight confirmation, accommodation proof, and bank statements.

List changes frequently - check current requirements with official sources. Processing typically takes 5-10 business days.

Arrival Process

The arrival routine in Cabo Verde follows a clear pattern at every international airport, though Sal and Santiago handle the bulk of passengers.

1
EASE Verification
Immigration officers scan your passport to verify completed EASE registration and check the QR code on your printed or digital confirmation
2
Immigration Control
Present passport and EASE confirmation. Officers ask brief questions about your stay while stamping your passport with entry date
3
Baggage Claim
Collect luggage from carousels while tropical air conditioning struggles against the humid ocean air entering through automatic doors
4
Customs Declaration
Walk through green channel if nothing to declare, or red channel for dutiable items. Random bag checks occur

Documents to Have Ready

Passport
Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond arrival date with at least one blank page for entry stamp
EASE Registration Confirmation
Print or save the QR code confirmation received after completing online registration at ease.gov.cv
Return/Onward Ticket
Proof of departure within allowed stay period - printed boarding pass or confirmation email
Accommodation Proof
Hotel booking confirmation or invitation letter if staying with friends/family

Tips for Smooth Entry

Complete EASE registration exactly as your name appears on passport - even minor discrepancies cause delays
Download offline maps before arrival as airport WiFi can be slow when multiple flights land simultaneously
Keep accommodation address easily accessible - immigration officers appreciate quick responses

Customs & Duty-Free

Cabo Verde customs runs on Portuguese precision laced with African pragmatism, guarding local crops and blocking illegal imports.

Alcohol
1 liter of spirits and 2 liters of wine
Must be 18 years or older. Local grogue (sugarcane rum) counts toward allowance
Tobacco
200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g tobacco
Must be 18 years or older
Currency
Declare amounts over €10,000 equivalent
Declaration forms available at customs desk
Gifts/Goods
Personal items up to €500 value
Commercial goods require declaration regardless of value

Prohibited Items

  • Fresh fruits and vegetables - protects local agriculture from pests
  • Meat and dairy products - strict import controls prevent disease
  • Counterfeit currency - zero tolerance policy
  • Narcotics - severe penalties including imprisonment

Restricted Items

  • Medications requiring prescription - bring original packaging and doctor's letter
  • Professional camera equipment - may require temporary import permit for commercial use
  • Drones - must declare and obtain prior authorization from civil aviation authority

Health Requirements

Cabo Verde keeps health entry rules light while advising standard travel vaccinations.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever - only if arriving from endemic countries in Africa or South America

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Hepatitis A
  • Hepatitis B
  • Typhoid
  • Routine vaccinations (MMR, DPT)
  • Influenza seasonally

Health Insurance

Travel health insurance strongly recommended though not mandatory. Medical facilities on smaller islands are limited - serious cases require evacuation to Santiago or international transfer.

Current Health Requirements: COVID-19 restrictions lifted in 2023. No testing or vaccination requirements remain. Check ease.gov.cv for any policy updates before travel.

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Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy/Consulate
Find your country's embassy or consulate
Check your government's travel advisory website for current embassy locations and emergency contact information
Immigration Authority
Official immigration website
ease.gov.cv for EASE registration and official visa information
Emergency
Emergency services number
Dial 132 for police, 130 for medical emergencies, 131 for fire services nationwide

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Children need individual EASE registration. One parent traveling with minors requires notarized consent letter from non-traveling parent. Original birth certificates recommended for verification of relationship.

Traveling with Pets

Pets need import permit from Cabo Verde Ministry of Agriculture obtained 30 days in advance. Current rabies vaccination certificate required, plus health certificate from accredited veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

Extended Stays

Tourist stays extendable once for additional 30 days at immigration office in Praia or Mindelo. Longer stays require temporary residence permit application before initial 60 days expires.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

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