What passport and visa requirements apply to entry into Cabo Verde?

Your passport must remain valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Visa requirements depend on your nationality, purpose of travel and length of stay; the current list on GOV.CV is authoritative.

How do foreign travelers register their entry into Cabo Verde through EASE?

You generally submit your passport details and travel date through EASE up to five days before travel. You also check the current TSA there and pay it where applicable.

What currency must be declared to customs when entering Cabo Verde?

Currency, bearer instruments and electronic money worth one million CVE or more, or the equivalent, must be declared in writing. The declaration is made using the DNRE or DGA form or at the customs desk.

How can a foreign person with a visa prove their date of entry into Cabo Verde?

You can apply for a Declaração de data de entrada and present a valid identity document and proof of the visa. The fee is 1,050 CVE and processing may take up to 15 working days.

How does a foreign person apply for a residence permit for permanent residence in Cabo Verde?

The application for Autorização de Residência must be submitted before the visa expires to the DEF or, alternatively, to a competent unit of the Polícia Nacional. It requires, among other things, a residence visa, accommodation, secured means of support, an NIF and the required health and identity documents.

Arrival in Cabo Verde

Q: When does a foreign person need an NIF after arriving in Cabo Verde?

The NIF is a Portuguese tax identification number and is expressly required for an application for a residence permit. Non-residents apply with a copy of their passport; residents apply with a valid BI or CNI at the Repartição de Finanças or Casa do Cidadão. The application is free of charge.

Arrival in Cabo Verde covers preparing for entry, border clearance and the first steps toward a longer stay. Visa rules vary depending on nationality and purpose of travel; foreign travelers generally have to register their entry in advance and check the airport security charge. After entry, an entry confirmation, a tax identification number and, for permanent stays, a residence permit may be required.

Tip

First classify your journey by nationality, purpose of travel and length of stay, because these determine the visa, registration and other documentation requirements. Complete EASE and pay the security charge using the current information before departure, and plan residence-law steps well in advance. Errors involving visas, entry declarations, customs or deadlines can make subsequent procedures considerably more difficult.

byAna&Jose

For entry into Cabo Verde, your passport must remain valid for at least six months from the date of entry. Whether a visa is required depends on your nationality, purpose of travel and planned length of stay. The current list on GOV.CV is authoritative; for German nationals, for example, it lists 30 days of visa-free stay. Anyone who wants to stay longer or enter for business or employment purposes needs a visa or an extension, depending on the case. Transit through international airports may also require a visa for certain nationalities. Foreign travelers generally register in advance through the EASE entry-registration system (EASE), the foreign nationals' entry pre-registration (Pré-registo de entrada de estrangeiros). Registration takes place up to five days before travel using passport details and the travel date. Where applicable, the airport security charge (TSA), called Taxa de Segurança Aeroportuária, is payable. Cabo Verde nationals, persons born in Cabo Verde and foreign persons with valid residence in Cabo Verde are exempt from this advance registration or charge insofar as the current rules provide. An older embassy document states 3,400 CVE for international flights and 150 CVE for domestic flights; before paying, the current amount shown in EASE is decisive. A tourist visa allows a stay of up to 90 days and, according to the applicable information, must be used within 60 days of issue. The stated visa fee is 4,898 CVE. A residence visa (Visum de residência) initially allows a stay of six months and may be extended until a decision on the residence permit has been made. The required documents vary according to the purpose of travel and the competent representation. At entry, travelers must present a valid passport and, if required, the visa or a residence title (Título de Residência), or TRE. Border clearance at air and sea borders is carried out by the competent immigration and border authorities. Anyone arriving from a yellow-fever risk area needs a yellow-fever certificate under WHO rules from the age of one year. No generally applicable additional health formalities are documented for other travelers. Currency, bearer instruments and electronic money amounting to 1,000,000 CVE or more, or the equivalent value, must be declared in writing. The form provided by DNRE or DGA or the customs desk is used for this purpose. A false or missing declaration may result in sanctions; seizure or retention is also possible. Foreign persons with a visa may apply after entry for an entry-date declaration (Declaração de data de entrada) as proof of the date of entry. A valid identity document and proof of the visa are required. The fee is 1,050 CVE and processing may take up to 15 working days. The proof is used in particular for further residence-law procedures. Anyone wishing to remain permanently in Cabo Verde must apply for residence authorization (Autorização de Residência) before the visa expires at the DEF or, alternatively, at a competent unit of the National Police (Polícia Nacional). A temporary residence permit is valid for two years and is renewed for two years at a time. A permanent residence permit does not expire, but the document must be renewed every five years. Issuance is not automatic. The application requires, among other things, a residence visa, personal attendance, proof of means of support and accommodation, the tax identification number (NIF), where applicable registration with social security (Segurança Social), a passport or other travel document, two passport photos, a health certificate and an international vaccination certificate. Depending on the case, a criminal-record certificate and proof of the purpose of stay are also required. The competent authority also checks compliance with the law and possible risks to public order or health. If processing is delayed through no fault of the applicant, employment is not automatically excluded under the statutory rules. The NIF is the Portuguese tax identification number for natural persons. It is required for taxable income and is expressly required for an application for a residence permit. Non-residents apply with a copy of their passport; residents apply with a valid BI or CNI. The application is made in person at the Tax Office (Repartição de Finanças) or the Citizen's House (Casa do Cidadão) and is free of charge.