Last checked: October 2026
Everyone who flies to Cabo Verde must register online on the EASE portal and pay the airport security tax at least five days before arriving, even if they don’t need a visa. Citizens of about 67 countries can enter visa-free for 30 to 180 days. Citizens of 96 other countries must get a visa before travel, because visa on arrival was suspended on 1 January 2026.
Safety note: the US State Department rates Cabo Verde Level 1, “Exercise normal precautions”, with increased caution in Praia because of crime. Read the US advisory and the UK travel advice before you go.
Who Needs a Visa for Cabo Verde?
The answer depends on your passport. The government publishes the current list on its visa-exempt countries page.
- Visa-free for 30 days: according to the published list, this includes the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, most European Union countries, Switzerland, Norway, Brazil, China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Morocco and South Africa.
- Visa-free for 60 days: Russia and São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Visa-free for 90 days: Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal and several other West African countries, plus South Korea and Macau.
- Visa-free for 180 days: Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and Ukraine.
- Everyone else: you need a visa. For 96 countries, the visa must be arranged before you travel through a Cabo Verdean embassy or consulate, because the EASE portal no longer lets those travellers pay for a visa on arrival.
These lists change, so check yours before you book. If your country isn’t on the visa-free list, use the government’s consular portal or your nearest Cabo Verdean embassy.
What Is EASE?
EASE is the official electronic pre-registration system for travellers. You complete it on ease.gov.cv, give your identity, travel dates and first hotel, and pay the airport security tax, known as the TSA. Keep the confirmation to show on arrival.
- When: at least five days before you arrive, according to the UK and Irish governments.
- Fee: published guides put the airport security tax at about 3,400 Cape Verdean escudos, roughly €30, for stays up to 30 days. Confirm the current amount on the portal.
- Late or missing registration: from 1 July 2026, the UK government says you will pay double the TSA at the border if you haven’t registered or can’t show proof.
- Exemptions: children aged one and under don’t need the form and are exempt from the fee, according to the UK government. Transit passengers and residents are also exempt, according to published guides.
Use only the official portal. Some travel companies can complete it for you, so ask your tour operator.
Passport Rules
Your passport must be valid for at least six months after the date you arrive, according to the UK and Irish governments. Check this with your airline before you fly, because they can refuse boarding. If you’re on a different type of passport or an emergency travel document, confirm the rules with the nearest embassy.
Travelling With Children
The UK government says children aged 17 and under who travel alone, or with someone who isn’t their parent or legal guardian, must carry a letter of authorisation from a parent or guardian. The letter must be in Portuguese and the signature must be certified by a notary or solicitor. A child may be refused entry without it.
Health Entry Rule
You need a yellow fever vaccination certificate if you arrive from a country listed as a transmission risk, according to the UK government. Check the current list on the TravelHealthPro site before you travel.
How Long Can You Stay?
The visa-free period depends on your nationality, from 30 to 180 days. If you want to stay longer or travel for a different purpose, contact a Cabo Verdean embassy or consulate before you go. Don’t overstay, because penalties can apply and affect future entry.
Documents to Carry
- Your passport, valid for six months or more.
- Your EASE confirmation, printed or saved offline.
- Your visa, if you need one.
- Your first hotel address and a return or onward ticket.
- Travel insurance.
Customs and Local Rules
There are strict rules about goods you can take in and out, and you must declare anything that may be prohibited or taxed. Use only official government channels, and be careful with third-party sites that charge extra fees for the same service.
Decision Guide
- Choose EASE only if your country is on the visa-free list and your stay is within the permitted days.
- Choose a visa before you travel if your country isn’t on that list.
- Choose to ask the embassy if you plan to stay longer than the visa-free period or you hold a refugee or residence document.
Common Mistakes
- Thinking a visa-free passport means no registration. EASE is still needed.
- Registering at the last minute. Do it at least five days ahead.
- Arriving with a passport that expires within six months.
- Relying on an old article. Entry rules changed on 1 January 2026.
Quick Checklist
- Check your nationality on the government list.
- Register on ease.gov.cv and pay the TSA.
- Print your confirmation and save a copy on your phone.
- Re-read both government advisories close to departure.
Cabo Verde Visa FAQs
Do US and UK citizens need a visa for Cabo Verde?
Not for stays up to 30 days. The UK government says British citizens can enter as visitors for up to 30 days without a visa, and the US appears on the same published list. Both still need the EASE registration.
Can I still get a visa on arrival?
Not if you hold a passport from one of the 96 affected countries. Those travellers must get a visa before departure. Check the government list, since a few special cases remain.
How much is the airport security tax?
Published guides put it at about 3,400 escudos, roughly €30, for stays up to 30 days. Confirm the amount on the official portal when you register.
Do transit passengers need EASE?
Transit passengers are exempt from the tax, according to published guides, but check with your airline if you’re leaving the airport.