Do You Need a Visa to Visit Cape Verde?
British, American and Canadian passport holders generally do not need a Cape Verde visa for a tourist stay of up to 30 days. This visa exemption applies to short visits and does not remove the need to meet other entry requirements.
You will still need a valid passport, and EASE pre-registration is generally required before travelling. The Airport Security Tax may also apply. Final admission remains a decision for border authorities when you arrive.
Visa-free travel does not mean travelling without entry formalities. EASE pre-registration may still be required.
A visa exemption, EASE pre-registration, the Airport Security Tax and permission to enter are separate matters. An EASE registration is not a tourist visa, and it does not replace a visa required for a longer stay or another travel purpose.
Cape Verde Visa Requirements for UK, US and Canadian Citizens
The rule depends on the passport used for travel, not on where you live. A UK resident who travels on a passport from another country may be subject to different requirements.
- British citizens: generally visa-exempt for tourist stays of up to 30 days. A passport is required, while EASE pre-registration and the Airport Security Tax may apply.
- US citizens: generally visa-exempt for tourist stays of up to 30 days. A passport is required, while EASE pre-registration and the Airport Security Tax may apply.
- Canadian citizens: generally visa-exempt for tourist stays of up to 30 days. A passport is required, while EASE pre-registration and the Airport Security Tax may apply.
Many other European passport holders also have a 30-day visa exemption, including travellers using Irish, French, German, Belgian, Swiss, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese passports. The permitted stay and any conditions must always be checked for the passport you will actually use.
Which Travellers Can Enter Cape Verde Visa-Free?
Cape Verde visa exemptions vary by nationality. The official visa-exempt list includes, for example, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, France, Germany and Ireland for stays of up to 30 days.
Other examples show why nationality matters: Senegalese and Ivorian passport holders may have up to 90 days, travellers using Guinea-Bissau passports may have up to 180 days, and Russian passport holders may have up to 60 days. These examples are not a complete list and should not be applied to other passports by analogy.
Visa exemption does not automatically mean exemption from EASE pre-registration or the Airport Security Tax. Before departure, check the official list of visa-exempt countries to confirm the rules that apply to your passport.
Cape Verde Entry Requirements by Traveller and Trip Type
This table summarises common situations. It gives general guidance only: the passport used, purpose of travel and itinerary can change the applicable formalities.
| Traveller or situation | Visa generally required? | Other entry formalities |
|---|---|---|
| British tourist, 7 days | No | Passport, EASE and TSA where applicable |
| British tourist, 30 days | No | Passport, EASE and TSA where applicable |
| British tourist, 45 days | Yes | Appropriate visa and entry documents |
| US tourist, 14 days | No | Passport, EASE and TSA where applicable |
| Canadian tourist, 20 days | No | Passport, EASE and TSA where applicable |
| Irish tourist, 10 days | No | Passport, EASE and TSA where applicable |
| Senegalese traveller, eligible 60-day visit | No | Applicable entry conditions |
| Paid employment | Appropriate permission required | Visa and employment-related formalities |
| Airside transit without entering Cape Verde | Depends on itinerary and nationality | Transit conditions |
What Documents Do You Need to Enter Cape Verde?
A valid passport is essential for foreign tourists. Cape Verde’s government guidance states that a passport should normally remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned stay. However, travellers should also check requirements issued for their own passport: British authorities currently advise British citizens to have at least six months’ validity from arrival, and transport providers may apply their own document checks.
A national identity card alone does not generally replace the passport needed by an overseas visitor. Depending on your journey, border officials or your airline may also ask for supporting evidence.
- Valid passport: the travel document used for your journey.
- Return or onward ticket: evidence of your planned departure where requested.
- Accommodation details: a booking confirmation or the address where you will stay.
- Travel information: including arrival and departure dates.
- EASE confirmation: where pre-registration applies.
- Airport Security Tax confirmation: where applicable.
- Purpose-related documents: additional evidence may be needed for work, study, business or other non-tourist travel.
Not every traveller is asked to show every document at the border. Carrying the information with you can nevertheless help if questions arise.
Children should have their own valid travel document and meet the entry formalities that apply to them. A parent or accompanying adult may also need to carry consent documentation when required for the child’s journey. Some young children and other eligible categories may benefit from specific EASE or Airport Security Tax exemptions, so families should verify the rules before travelling.
Is Cape Verde EASE Registration Required Without a Visa?
Yes. Travellers who are subject to EASE pre-registration generally need to complete it even when they do not require a visa. EASE is a traveller pre-registration system, not a tourist visa.
Visa-exempt travellers who are subject to EASE registration should complete it at least five days before arrival. The process requires passport and travel information, and the Airport Security Tax is generally paid during registration when applicable.
Registering late may mean that confirmation is not available in time for travel or border checks. Travellers who have not completed the process in advance can face additional requirements at the border under the rules in force, so it is sensible to complete the formalities early and retain the confirmation.
Cape Verdean citizens, eligible foreign residents, certain people born in Cape Verde and some other exempt categories may follow different EASE or Airport Security Tax rules. These exemptions are separate from visa exemptions.
EASE pre-registration is generally linked to the Airport Security Tax, unless an exemption applies. This tax is separate from a visa and from any optional private assistance fees. For details about registration, fees and processing times, see our dedicated Cape Verde EASE guide.
Private assistance with service fees · You can also apply directly through the authorities · Visit the official website
Do You Need a Visa to Stay in Cape Verde for More Than 30 Days?
British, American and Canadian passport holders are generally exempt from a tourist visa for up to 30 days only. If you plan to remain in Cape Verde beyond the visa-free period, you will generally need the appropriate visa or authorisation under the rules that apply to your passport and purpose of stay.
A tourist visa can allow a stay of up to 90 days, but the date a visa is issued, the period in which it can be used for travel and the authorised length of stay are different concepts. Extensions may be possible in some circumstances, but they are not automatic and should be confirmed with the competent Cape Verdean authorities.
EASE does not replace a visa required for a stay beyond your visa-exempt allowance.
Can You Work in Cape Verde Without a Visa?
No. A tourist visa exemption does not automatically give a foreign visitor the right to take paid employment in Cape Verde. Work, long-term professional activity and relocation can require a visa, residence status or other employment-related formalities.
A short business trip is not necessarily the same as salaried employment, but it should not be treated as automatically covered by tourist rules either. The right documents depend on the activity and the traveller’s individual circumstances.
- A British tourist spending one week on Sal: a tourist visit may fall within the 30-day visa exemption, subject to the applicable entry formalities.
- An American consultant attending business meetings in Praia: the traveller should confirm whether the planned activity requires a business visa or other permission.
- A Canadian professional relocating to Mindelo for work: tourist visa-free entry is not a substitute for the permissions required for employment and longer-term residence.
What Are the Entry Rules for Transit or Arrival by Sea?
Transit requirements depend on whether you remain airside or enter Cape Verde. Your passport, ticketing arrangements and airline can all matter.
- Airside transit: remaining in the international transit area may be treated differently from entering the country.
- Immigration and baggage: you may need to meet entry requirements if you must pass immigration, collect and re-check baggage, change airports or stay overnight outside the airport.
- Transit visas: Cape Verde has transit visa categories, but this does not mean every transit requires a visa or that every passenger is exempt.
Eligible transit passengers may benefit from specific Airport Security Tax exemptions. Confirm the conditions for your exact itinerary before travel.
Arrival by cruise ship, private boat or other sea transport can involve different formalities from arrival on an international flight. Travellers should arrive through an authorised point of entry and check the rules that apply to their vessel, itinerary and nationality. Airport-related requirements should not automatically be assumed to apply in the same way to maritime arrivals.
Cape Verde Entry Rules: Practical Travel Examples
British couple visiting Sal for one week
They are generally visa-exempt for a short tourist stay. Each traveller needs a valid passport and should complete EASE pre-registration and meet Airport Security Tax requirements where applicable.
American family visiting Boa Vista with two children
The family generally does not need tourist visas for a stay of up to 30 days. Each child should travel with an appropriate document, and the family should check child-specific EASE and Airport Security Tax rules because eligible young children may be exempt.
Canadian traveller spending 20 days on Santiago
This is generally a visa-free tourist stay. The traveller still needs a passport and must complete the relevant pre-arrival formalities.
British tourist spending 45 days on São Vicente
A 45-day tourist stay goes beyond the usual 30-day exemption for a British passport holder. An appropriate visa or authorisation should be arranged; EASE does not replace it.
Traveller transiting through Sal Airport
The answer depends on whether the traveller passes immigration and on the full itinerary. Airside transit, baggage collection and an overnight stop can lead to different requirements.