End of visa on arrival – Cape Verde
Since January 1, 2026, Cape Verde has ended the visa on arrival for 96 countries, now requiring consular procedures before departure.
Since January 1, 2026, entry conditions to Cape Verde have significantly changed. Cape Verdean authorities have put an end to a system widely used by international travelers: the visa issued on arrival.
❌ This suspension applies to nationals of 96 countries, who can no longer obtain a visa on arrival in Cape Verde and must now complete their procedures before departure.
This reform marks a major turning point for travelers accustomed to simplified airport procedures. It now requires greater anticipation and a mandatory application through Cape Verdean embassies or consulates.
🔎 Key points – Cape Verde Visa 2026
- 🗓️ Effective date: January 1, 2026
- ❌ Visa on arrival suspended for nationals of 96 countries
- 🛂 Visa required before departure via an embassy or consulate
- 🌐 EASE portal: still required for registration and TSA payment
- ⚠️ Risk of entry or transit refusal without a valid visa
- ✈️ Exceptions apply for certain specific traveler categories
Until the end of 2025, many nationalities could benefit from the Cape Verde visa on arrival, provided they completed an online pre-registration and paid the corresponding fees on the official EASE platform.
🗓️ Since January 1, 2026, this system has been deactivated for 96 countries.
In practical terms:
➡️ The Cape Verde visa on arrival no longer exists for the nationalities concerned.
With the suspension of the visa on arrival in Cape Verde, authorities now require affected travelers to hold a valid visa before boarding.
📌 This requirement applies to:
⚠️ In the absence of a prior visa:
This information is now clearly displayed during registration on the EASE portal.
The end of the Cape Verde visa on arrival does not mean the removal of online entry formalities.
📝 All travelers, including those exempt from a visa, must still complete a mandatory pre-registration via the EASE portal.
This registration includes:
💳 Indicative TSA amount: approximately 3,400 Cape Verdean escudos for a stay of up to 30 days.
👉 To learn about the full procedure, steps and processing times, consult our dedicated page:
🔗 Cape Verde EASE Form: procedures and official information
The suspension of the visa on arrival in Cape Verde is based on a precise legal framework.
📄 The measure stems from Decree No. 244/GMAI//2025, published in the Boletim Oficial No. 223, Series II of November 24, 2025.
This text:
🎯 The stated objective is to strengthen pre-entry migration control and limit regularizations upon arrival.
Even though the Cape Verde visa on arrival has been suspended for 96 countries, certain exceptions remain in place.
🧾 The following are notably concerned:
The measure applies to nationals of 96 countries and territories.
For these travelers, the visa on arrival in Cape Verde is no longer available.
📌 Among the affected countries are notably:
➡️ Checking nationality and applicable rules is now essential before any trip.
For travelers affected by the suspension of the Cape Verde visa on arrival, procedures must be completed exclusively before departure:
1️⃣ Identify the required visa type
2️⃣ Contact the competent Cape Verdean embassy or consulate
3️⃣ Prepare a complete application file
4️⃣ Obtain the visa before boarding
⏳ As processing times may vary by country, early application is strongly recommended.
For travelers not affected by the suspension of the visa on arrival, notably nationals exempt from a visa for Cape Verde, entry into the territory remains possible without a prior visa.
👉 However, the EASE form remains mandatory for all nationalities, without exception. Online registration must be completed before departure and includes payment of the Airport Security Tax (TSA). Without a valid EASE pre-registration, boarding or entry into Cape Verde may be refused, even in cases of visa exemption.
Find out if your question has been answered in the list below
No. Since January 1, 2026, the visa on arrival in Cape Verde has been suspended for nationals of 96 countries. Affected travelers must now obtain a visa before departure from an embassy or consulate. Visas are no longer issued directly at the airport for these nationalities.
Yes. The EASE form is mandatory for all nationalities, including those exempt from visas. Registration must be completed before departure and includes payment of the Airport Security Tax (TSA). The EASE form does not replace a visa but is still essential for legal entry into the country.
Travelers without a valid visa when required, or without EASE registration, may be denied boarding, denied transit, or denied entry into the country. Airlines and local authorities systematically check these formalities before departure and upon arrival.