Visa

Who needs a visa – and how and where do you get one?

Citizens of the UK, the EU and the EFTA states (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland) do NOT need a visa for stays of up to 30 days.

On arrival at the airport you simply get a stamp in your passport, so you can travel to Cape Verde visa-free.

⚠️ Your passport must still be valid for at least 6 months from your date of arrival.

When do I need to apply for a visa for Cape Verde?

• If you are not a citizen of the UK, the EU or the EFTA states (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Iceland).
• If you plan to stay in Cape Verde as a tourist for longer than 30 days, you need to apply for a tourist visa.
• If you are already in Cape Verde and want to extend your stay beyond 30 days, or extend your visa, you can do this at the local police station – but you must do it before your visa has actually expired. To extend your visa you will need to present a few documents: your passport including the visa, a passport photo, and proof of where you are staying (a hotel booking or a rental agreement). The cost depends on the number of days you want to add. Please bear in mind that the extension process can take some time.

⚠️ Make sure you do not exceed the maximum number of days your visa is valid for. If you do, you can be fined when you leave from a Cape Verde airport, and the fine can run to several hundred euros. It is therefore wiser to extend your visa if you need to, rather than risk a fine.

⚠️ Overstaying the 30 days without a visa also leads to a fine on departure at the airport, which can likewise run to several hundred euros.

Can you also apply for the visa on arrival at the airport?

People living in countries where Cape Verde has no diplomatic representation (embassy or consulate) can apply for a visa on arrival with the border police.

Arriving by boat or yacht

If you are arriving on a private boat or yacht, note that entry is only permitted through the ports of Palmeira (Sal), Mindelo (São Vicente) or Praia (Santiago). Arriving at any other port is not allowed, and doing so can result in a fine.

After mooring you must report to the port office and submit the required documents to customs and the border police (Direcção de Emigração e Fronteiras). These include a passenger list along with your boat’s registration and ship’s papers. Please also make sure you carry enough cash for any fees.

Where to apply for a visa:

Cape Verde Embassy accredited to the UK and Ireland
Burgemeester Patijnlaan 1930
2585 CB
The Hague, Holland
Tel: 00 355 36 51/355 36 78

Cape Verde Honorary Consul:
Mr Joao Roberto
Cape Verde Bureau
18-20 Stanley Street
Liverpool
L1 6AF
Tel: 0151 255 1314

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
King Charles Street
London SW1A 2AH
https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/cape-verde

Up-to-date entry requirements for British citizens are published on the FCDO website above.

Once your entry requirements are sorted, see all Cape Verde holidays – from beach breaks to island-hopping round trips and hiking tours.