Cabo Verde Visa 2026: Pre-Arrival Visas via EASE for Affected Nations

(CABO VERDE) As of January 1, 2026, Cabo Verde ended visa-on-arrival for citizens of 96 countries and now requires pre-arrival visas approved online or through an embassy before travel. If you’re from an affected country, airlines will expect proof of approval before you board, so timing and paperwork matter more than ever.

For many travelers, the change is simple: visa-exempt visitors still don’t need a visa for short stays, but they must complete EASE pre-registration and pay the Airport Security Tax (TSA) of €30.83 (CVE 3,400). For others — especially travelers from countries such as India, Mexico, Brazil, and many more on the affected list — the main shift is that a quick airport purchase is no longer available. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this is the kind of rule change that most often causes last-minute trip losses, because people only discover it at check-in.

The entry rule that now applies to almost everyone arriving by air

Before you think about visas, start with EASE. EASE pre-registration is mandatory for foreign air travelers (with limited exceptions noted in the rules). It’s not a “nice to have.” It’s part of the arrival system, and it links to the TSA payment and your trip details.

EASE asks for practical information that border officials and airlines use to confirm you look like a normal visitor:

• Passport details
• Travel dates and flight numbers
• Your first place to stay in Cabo Verde
• Payment of the TSA fee

Complete it up to 5 days before arrival, and don’t wait until the last minute. Travelers regularly underestimate how long payment checks, bank alerts, and email delivery take. When you finish, save the electronic confirmation and print it for airport checks.

The official place to start is Cabo Verde’s government EASE portal, where the registration flow and country rules are posted on the EASE platform for entry pre-registration and online visas.

Step-by-step journey for visa-exempt travelers (short stays)

If you’re a visa-exempt citizen, the process is short, but it still has a timeline. Visa-free does not mean “no admin.”

1. Confirm your stay length matches your visa-free allowance.
   Many travelers get 30 days (including EU member states, the UK, the USA, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Brazil, and others). Russia is listed at 60 days, and a group of countries is listed at 90 days.

2. Complete EASE and pay the TSA (€30.83).
   Do this early enough that you can fix a typo. A mismatched passport number can create airport delays.

3. Prepare arrival proof.
   Carry a return or onward ticket, accommodation details, and evidence of funds for your stay. Border checks focus on whether you plan to leave on time.

4. Arrive and present your printouts.
   Airlines and arrival officers may ask for the EASE confirmation. Keep it reachable, not buried in a suitcase.

If you want to stay longer than your visa-free window, switch to a consular visa plan before travel. For example, U.S. citizens are described as visa-free for under 30 days with EASE, but longer stays require a consular visa.

Step-by-step journey for travelers who now need pre-arrival visas

For citizens of the 96 countries affected by the January 1, 2026 change, the new rule is blunt: get the visa before you arrive. Cabo Verde’s visa-on-arrival option is suspended for this group at international airports including Sal, Boa Vista, Praia, and São Vicente.

Here is the practical process:

1. Apply early and don’t treat approval as instant.
   Online processing is listed at 2–15 business days, and the practical advice is to apply around 3 weeks early. That time buffer protects you if your email filters the approval, or if you need to correct travel dates.

2. Use the online route when your trip fits the 30-day model.
   The EASE online visa path is presented as the main channel for affected nationalities for short stays. It covers tourism, business, medical visits, and short studies, but the permission issued is described as a 30-day tourist visa in the bundled approach.

3. Pay the total cost and keep receipts.
   The listed online cost is €53.50 total, combining €30.83 TSA and a €22.67 visa fee. Save proof of payment with your travel documents.

4. Print your e-visa and carry it to the airport.
   Airlines enforce document rules because they face penalties for transporting passengers who will be refused entry. A phone screenshot often fails when staff want a paper copy.

5. Plan your arrival interview like a short checklist.
   Be ready to show your return ticket, your first-night accommodation, and that your passport remains valid for at least 6 months beyond departure.

This is where the end of visa-on-arrival changes behavior. If your approval email doesn’t arrive, you don’t “sort it out on landing.” You usually don’t fly.

Fees and timelines (quick reference)

What happens at the airport and at the border desk

Most arrivals follow a predictable rhythm. Airline staff do the first screening at check-in and again at boarding, because they want to confirm the EASE record and, where required, the pre-arrival visas. After landing, border officers match your passport to your registration and may ask short questions about your plans.

Expect simple, repeated questions:

• How long are you staying?
• Where will you sleep tonight?
• Who paid for the trip?
• When is your return flight?

If you are from a yellow-fever risk country, a yellow fever vaccination certificate can be required. Residence visa routes also mention broader health and record checks, including criminal record documents when requested.

Extensions, overstays, and family rules

Short stays sometimes become longer for good reasons: illness, family matters, or flight disruptions. Cabo Verde allows extensions through local immigration or police channels, and the guide warns that overstays risk fines and removal.

Treat extension planning as a deadline issue, not a negotiation. Apply before your authorized stay expires, and keep copies of whatever you submit.

Important family note: children over 2 need their own EASE registration and payment, which surprises many parents during school holiday travel.

Transit travelers also need to be careful. Staying airside is different from entering the country. For the affected group, leaving the airside area turns a stop into an entry, and that triggers the pre-arrival visa rule.

Warning: If you assume you can “buy a visa at the airport,” you risk being denied boarding. Airlines will enforce the pre-arrival requirements and may refuse travel without proper documentation.

Practical booking rules that reduce financial loss

The safest travel sequence is simple and risk-averse:

1. Confirm whether your nationality is visa-exempt or in the 96-country group.
2. Finish EASE registration and pay the TSA.
3. Secure the pre-arrival visa if required.
4. Only then lock in non-refundable flights and hotels.

Additional practical tips:

• Apply early during peak months, when approvals and customer service response times slow down.
• Keep documents in two places: printed copies in your hand luggage and digital copies in an offline folder on your phone.
• For residence applications, prepare more documents: proof of funds, accommodation details, and clean records. Officials want consistency across your story, your paperwork, and your travel dates.