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Cape Verde Visa for United States Citizens 2026

Visa Free

US citizens can enter Cape Verde visa-free for stays up to 30 days; no advance registration or online pre-travel authorization is required since Cape Verde abolished visas for all nationalities in 2019.

Guide last updated October 1, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date (standard requirement enforced by Cabo Verde Airlines and immigration).
  • No visa application form - only the standard immigration arrival card completed on the plane or at the airport.
  • Proof of sufficient funds is rarely checked but having a bank card or cash equivalent to a few hundred dollars is sensible.
  • Return or onward flight ticket should be available to show if asked.
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address) can be requested at the border.
  • No photo requirement for entry.
  • No biometrics collected from US travelers on arrival.
  • Travel health insurance is not mandatory but recommended, since Cape Verde's public hospitals have limited capacity for serious treatment.

Visa types

  • No visa category applies since US citizens travel visa-free for short visits.
  • Tourist/business stays up to 30 days: free of charge, granted on arrival, multiple entries allowed within validity.
  • Longer stays (over 30 days) or residence require a separate residence permit applied for locally through the Cape Verdean immigration service (SEF/DEF), with fees and processing handled case by case.

Entry conditions

  • US citizens may stay up to 30 days per visit without a visa.
  • Working during this period is not permitted.
  • On arrival you should be able to state your purpose of visit and show return travel plans and accommodation details.
  • Extensions beyond 30 days are possible by applying at a local immigration office (DEF) in Praia or other islands before the initial period expires, typically for an additional 30-60 days, with a modest administrative fee payable in escudos.

Fees & processing time

  • No visa fee for the initial 30-day stay since the route is visa-free.
  • Local extension fee: roughly 5,000-10,000 CVE (about USD 50-100), processed at a DEF office, usually within a few business days.
  • No VFS/BLS service fees apply - there is no third-party visa processor for this route.
  • Total cost for a standard visit is essentially just your travel costs; budget for the extension fee only if staying past 30 days.

Tips for United States travelers

  • Double-check your passport has at least 6 months validity before booking, since airlines sometimes deny boarding over this even though Cape Verdean immigration itself is lenient.
  • Rejections at the border are uncommon but can occur if you can't show onward travel or a place to stay.
  • Since there's no embassy visa process, there's no VFS/BLS decision to make for this route.
  • Carry a yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from or having transited a country where it's endemic, as this is checked more strictly than the visa itself.
  • If you want to stay longer, start the extension process at a DEF office at least a week before your 30 days run out.

Official links & resources

Always confirm requirements with government or embassy sources before applying.

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This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.