Travelers planning a trip to Cape Verde should be aware of several changes to the island nation’s entry requirements.
Published in the Boletim Oficial on November 3, 2026, and effective the following day, Decree-Law No. 49/2026 introduces changes to both visa issuance procedures and the Airport Security Tax (TSA).
The two measures affect different groups of travelers. While the visa reform targets nationals of countries subject to advance visa requirements, the higher airport fee also affects American, British, Canadian, and European tourists, who remain eligible for visa-free short stays.
Cape Verde plans to introduce an e-Visa for 91 nationalities
The move marks a significant easing of entry requirements following restrictions introduced earlier this year.
Since January 1, 2026, nationals of dozens of countries have no longer been eligible to obtain a visa upon arrival in Cape Verde.
Previously, these travelers could complete their pre-registration through the EASE portal, pay the applicable fees online, and receive their visas at the airport.
That option was eliminated for the nationalities covered by the restrictions, requiring them to secure a visa before departure, generally through a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate.
The latest decree partially reverses that policy.
Under Article 14, nationals of countries subject to advance visa requirements will now be permitted to apply for and obtain their visas through a digital platform.
This represents a full online visa application process, rather than simply allowing travelers to pay visa-on-arrival fees in advance.
However, applications will remain subject to security and immigration risk assessments.
Depending on the circumstances, authorities may require additional supporting documents, conduct interviews with applicants, or seek input from the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders (DEF).
Visas on arrival will remain expressly prohibited for the nationalities covered by these restrictions.
List reduced from 96 to 91 countries in January 2026
The new regulations apply to nationals of 91 countries and territories, including Algeria, Egypt, Tunisia, Mexico, Colombia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Pakistan, and Vietnam.
However, this figure differs from the number initially announced when the restrictions took effect in January.
As VisasNews reported on January 2, 2026, the original official list, published on November 24, 2025, included 96 countries and territories.
The authorities subsequently issued a correction on January 23, 2026, retroactively effective January 1.
Five countries and territories were removed from the list: Cameroon, India, Rwanda, Taiwan, and Turkey.
Their removal does not necessarily mean they are exempt from visa requirements altogether. Rather, their nationals are no longer subject to the stricter advance visa rules applying to the remaining 91 countries and territories.
Travelers from these five countries can therefore pay their visa-on-arrival fees through the EASE portal when completing their pre-registration.
The current list of countries subject to advance visa requirements is available on the Cape Verdean government’s website.
Exceptions to the advance visa requirement also remain in place, particularly for certain travelers holding valid residence permits issued by European Union countries, the United Kingdom, Canada, or the United States, provided they meet the applicable regulatory conditions.
When will online visa applications become available?
Although the legal framework now allows visa applications to be submitted electronically, the practical rollout of the new system has yet to be clarified.
The decree refers to a digital platform that will be made available for this purpose, but does not explicitly identify EASE as the platform or announce a launch date.
The government’s GOV.CV portal currently states that visa applications must be submitted through Cape Verdean embassies and consular offices, while noting that online applications through EASE may be available where applicable.
Authorities also indicate that work is underway to make an online visa application service available directly through GOV.CV.
The situation is reflected on the EASE portal itself. When a national of one of the 91 affected countries attempts to complete the pre-registration process, the platform displays the following warning:
“You must apply for a visa at the Embassies or consular offices of Cabo Verde. A valid visa is required upon arrival, under penalty of refusal of entry.”
In other words, travelers are instructed to apply for a visa through a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate and ensure they hold a valid visa upon arrival, or risk being denied entry.
Still displayed as of November 12, 2026, this warning indicates that affected travelers are continuing to be directed to consular services, despite the changes introduced by the new decree.
So far, no official announcement has confirmed that nationals of the 91 countries and territories can complete the entire new visa application process online.
Until authorities provide further details and launch the service, affected travelers should continue to ensure they have obtained a valid visa before departure.
How much will a Cape Verde visa cost, and what are the requirements?
The GOV.CV government portal also provides additional details about the general conditions for obtaining a Cape Verdean visa.
According to official information, the currently listed visa fee is 4,898 Cape Verdean escudos (CVE), approximately US$49.
This fee is separate from the Airport Security Tax, which travelers may also be required to pay when completing their EASE pre-registration.
Visa applicants must generally provide a valid passport and a compliant photograph. Additional supporting documents may be required depending on the visa category.
Passports must generally remain valid for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay in Cape Verde, subject to certain exceptions.
For tourist visas, the government outlines two separate time limits:
- Entry within 60 days of issuance: Travelers must use their visa to enter Cape Verde within 60 days of the date it was issued.
- A stay of up to 90 days: Tourist visas may allow stays of up to 90 days, with a possible extension for an equivalent period, subject to approval by the relevant authorities.
These conditions are also outlined on Cape Verde’s official consular portal.
They describe the general rules for tourist visas but do not yet establish the exact requirements of the forthcoming online application system for the 91 nationalities.
Cape Verde raises airport security fee to approximately $44
The decree also introduces a change affecting a much broader group of international visitors.
The Cape Verdean government has increased its Airport Security Tax (TSA), which applies to passengers arriving at the country’s airports unless they qualify for an exemption.
For international flights, the fee has risen from 3,400 to 4,400 Cape Verdean escudos, an increase of approximately 29.4%.
The new amount is now being charged through the official EASE portal, where travelers can pay the fee as part of their pre-registration process.
As of November 12, 2026, EASE displays a charge of €39.90 (approximately US$44) for the international Airport Security Tax, corresponding to the 4,400 CVE established by the decree.
The tax on domestic flights has also increased, from 150 to 200 CVE.
The government has also decided to allocate 20% of TSA revenue to the National Civil Protection and Fire Service. The funds will help finance equipment, emergency vehicles, warning systems, and other emergency response resources.
In addition, the reform removes the previous age limit of 18 for the TSA exemption granted to children of people born in Cape Verde.
The exemption now extends to their children regardless of age, as well as the spouses of individuals born in the archipelago, subject to the conditions established by law.
What are the entry requirements for American, British, and Canadian travelers?
For travelers holding U.S., British, or Canadian passports, the existing visa-free entry rules remain unchanged.
Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada can visit Cape Verde for tourism without a visa for stays of up to 30 days.
However, they must still complete their pre-registration through the EASE portal at least five days before arrival and pay the Airport Security Tax unless they qualify for an exemption.
The registration process generally requires travelers to provide their passport information, travel dates, flight number, and accommodation address.
Travelers should now budget approximately US$44 (€39.90) for the international airport security fee, based on the rate currently displayed on EASE.
Tourist stays exceeding 30 days still require an appropriate visa, which can be requested through Cape Verdean consular services.
VisasNews Take
Cape Verde is adjusting its entry policies once again following the restrictions introduced in January 2026. Allowing online visa applications represents a potential simplification for travelers from the 91 affected countries and territories, but it does not restore visas on arrival. The warning still displayed on EASE shows that these travelers are, for now, being directed to consular services. The next step will be for authorities to clarify when the new digital system will actually become available. Meanwhile, the higher airport security fee is already in effect: visa-exempt visitors, including Americans, British citizens, and Canadians, must now budget approximately $44 for their EASE pre-registration.
