Entering Cape Verde is relatively straightforward for many tourists, but three separate requirements are often confused: the visa, EASE pre-registration and the TSA airport security fee.
They are not the same thing.
Visa rules determine whether you need immigration permission in advance. EASE and the TSA are separate arrival formalities. A traveller may be exempt from a visa and still need to complete EASE and pay the TSA.
The simplest way to plan is to answer four questions before you travel:
- Is your passport valid for long enough?
- Does your nationality require a visa?
- Do you need to complete EASE?
- Do you need to pay the TSA?
For many short-stay visitors from Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and other visa-exempt countries, the practical answer is usually: no tourist visa, but yes to EASE and, unless exempt, yes to the TSA.
Quick Answer: What Do You Need to Enter Cape Verde?
| Requirement | What most tourists need to know |
|---|---|
| Passport | Current GOV.CV guidance requires at least 6 months’ validity from arrival |
| Tourist visa | Not required for many nationalities for short stays |
| EASE pre-registration | Required for most foreign visitors |
| TSA | Usually payable when arriving by international flight |
| Accommodation and travel details | Required as part of the EASE pre-registration |
| Yellow fever certificate | Required in certain circumstances depending on recent travel |
The important word here is most.
Entry rules depend on nationality, length and purpose of stay, and in some cases residence status or family connection with Cape Verde.
Always check the official requirements for the passport you will actually use.
Do You Need a Visa for Cape Verde?
Many travellers do not need a tourist visa for a short visit.
Cape Verde maintains an official list of nationalities that are exempt from visa requirements, with different maximum permitted stays depending on nationality.
For example, the current visa-free list includes citizens of:
- Portugal;
- Spain;
- France;
- Germany;
- Italy;
- the Netherlands;
- Ireland;
- the United Kingdom;
- the United States;
- Canada;
among many others, generally for stays of up to 30 days in these cases.
Other visa-exempt nationalities have different limits. Angola, for example, has a longer visa-free period.
That is why it is better to check the rule for your nationality than to rely on a broad statement such as “Europeans do not need a visa”.
Portuguese Travellers
Portuguese citizens are currently exempt from a visa for tourist stays of up to 30 days.
They still normally need to complete EASE and pay the TSA before arriving by air, unless another exemption applies.
British Travellers
British citizens can currently visit Cape Verde for up to 30 days without a visa.
The EASE pre-registration and TSA requirements remain separate from that visa exemption.
US and Canadian Travellers
Citizens of both the United States and Canada are currently included on Cape Verde’s visa-exemption list for short stays of up to 30 days.
Again, being visa-exempt does not remove the EASE or TSA requirements where they apply.
When Do You Need a Visa?
A visa may be required when:
- your nationality is not visa-exempt;
- you want to remain beyond the visa-free period available to your nationality;
- the purpose of travel is work or falls under another visa category;
- another immigration rule applies to your particular circumstances.
Cape Verde publishes an official list of nationalities whose citizens must obtain a visa before travelling.
If your passport appears on that list, obtain the required visa before departure.
Do not plan a trip on the assumption that a visa can simply be arranged at the airport.
Two passengers on the same flight can have different visa obligations because they hold different passports.
What Is EASE?
EASE is Cape Verde’s electronic traveller pre-registration system.
It allows the authorities to receive key information before a foreign traveller arrives.
The form includes information such as:
- passport details;
- expected arrival;
- flight information;
- expected departure;
- accommodation in Cape Verde.
For most foreign visitors, EASE is required even when no tourist visa is needed.
The official portal is:
EASE: https://www.ease.gov.cv/
Use the official portal rather than a third-party site offering to complete the process for an additional fee.
When Should You Complete EASE?
Official guidance asks travellers to complete the pre-registration before travelling, generally around five days before arrival.
For a normal planned holiday, doing it several days in advance gives you time to correct a problem with the form, payment or passport information before reaching the airport.
The form is also easier to complete once you already know:
- the passport you will use;
- the flight number;
- your arrival date;
- your expected departure;
- your accommodation.
Follow the current timing instructions shown on the official EASE portal when you complete the registration.
What Happens If You Forget to Complete EASE?
Travellers who arrive without completing the required pre-registration can, in some circumstances, be registered at the border.
That does not make arrival registration a sensible default.
Current UK government travel advice states that, from 1 July 2026, travellers arriving without the required pre-registration or without proof of confirmation may be charged double the TSA at border control.
Cape Verdean official pages are not currently fully aligned in how they describe this surcharge, so travellers should check the EASE portal and current official guidance before departure.
The practical advice is much simpler:
complete EASE before you travel and keep proof of the confirmation accessible.
Who Does Not Need EASE?
Official exemptions include:
- Cape Verdean nationals;
- people born in Cape Verde;
- foreign nationals legally resident in Cape Verde.
Other exemptions or documentation rules can apply in particular circumstances.
If, for example, you were born in Cape Verde but travel using another country’s passport, check the official guidance for the documentation required to establish the exemption.
What Is the TSA?
TSA means Taxa de Segurança Aeroportuária, the Airport Security Fee.
In English-language sources, you may also see:
- Airport Security Fee;
- Airport Security Tax;
- Airport Security Charge.
They refer to the Cape Verdean TSA.
It has nothing to do with the United States Transportation Security Administration.
The TSA is also not a visa fee.
Visa requirements and airport security charges are separate parts of the entry process.
How Much Is the TSA?
The current official TSA for an international arrival is:
3,400 CVE, approximately €30.83.
For domestic inter-island flights, the TSA is currently:
150 CVE, approximately €1.36.
The domestic fee is normally dealt with through the air ticket.
For international visitors, the TSA is normally paid as part of the EASE pre-registration process.
Because charges can change, verify the amount shown by the official system when you register rather than treating a fee published in 2026 as permanent.
Who Is Exempt From the TSA?
Official exemptions include, among others:
- children under two years old;
- holders of Cape Verdean passports on international journeys;
- people born in Cape Verde and, under specified conditions, certain spouses and descendants;
- passengers in international transit who do not enter the country;
- certain passengers travelling on qualifying official missions;
- specified force-majeure cases.
Documentation may be required to prove that an exemption applies.
If your exemption depends on nationality, birthplace or family connection with Cape Verde, check the required documentation before travelling.
Visa-Free Does Not Mean Fee-Free
This is one of the easiest misunderstandings to make.
A traveller reads:
“I don’t need a visa for Cape Verde.”
and assumes:
“I don’t need to do anything before travelling.”
Visa exemption only means that, for the permitted purpose and length of stay, you do not need to obtain a tourist visa in advance.
It does not automatically remove:
- EASE pre-registration;
- the TSA;
- passport-validity requirements;
- immigration control on arrival.
For many visitors, EASE and the TSA are the main formalities precisely because they do not need a visa.
How Long Must Your Passport Be Valid?
Current GOV.CV guidance requires a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry.
Current UK government travel advice gives the same requirement.
There is some inconsistent wording across older or differently maintained official Cape Verdean pages, which is another reason to use the current GOV.CV guidance when preparing the trip.
Do not calculate validity only from your return date.
If your passport is approaching expiry, check the six-month requirement before booking or travelling.
A damaged passport, or one previously reported lost or stolen, can also create problems regardless of the printed expiry date.
What Information Do You Need for EASE?
Expect to provide information including:
- passport details;
- arrival date;
- flight information;
- planned departure;
- accommodation in Cape Verde.
You do not need to turn a multi-island itinerary into a minute-by-minute immigration document.
Use the information requested by the official form and follow its current instructions.
If the fields or requirements change, the official portal takes precedence over an old travel article.
Does a Tour Operator Complete EASE for You?
Sometimes.
Package-holiday operators or travel companies may complete the pre-registration and TSA process as part of the booking.
Do not assume yours has done so.
Ask explicitly.
The practical point is to confirm whether it has been completed for your booking.
If another company handles the process, make sure you receive or can access proof of confirmation.
Do Children Need EASE and Pay the TSA?
Children under two years old are exempt from the TSA.
Current travel guidance also provides exemptions from the traveller entry form for this age group.
For older children travelling as ordinary foreign visitors, do not assume that the parent’s registration automatically covers them. Check the EASE procedure for every passenger.
Additional documentation can also apply to minors travelling alone or with someone who is not their parent or legal guardian.
Current UK guidance states that travellers aged 17 or under in that situation should carry an authorised travel letter in Portuguese with certified signatures and the required identifying information.
Families affected by this rule should verify the documentation well before departure.
What About Yellow Fever Certificates?
A yellow fever certificate is not a general requirement for every traveller entering Cape Verde.
It can become relevant depending on where you are arriving from or where you have recently travelled.
Current travel guidance requires proof of yellow fever vaccination in certain circumstances for travellers arriving from countries with a recognised risk of transmission.
This is one reason nationality alone does not answer every entry question.
A Portuguese traveller arriving directly from Lisbon may have different health-entry documentation from someone holding the same Portuguese passport after travelling through a yellow-fever-risk country.
Check current health-entry advice for your actual route.
Can You Complete Entry Formalities on Arrival?
Some registration procedures can be dealt with at the border when necessary.
That should not be confused with a general right to arrive without whatever immigration permission your nationality requires.
If your nationality is listed as requiring a visa before travel, obtain that visa before departure.
For visa-exempt travellers who simply forgot the EASE pre-registration, border registration may be possible, although it can create extra administration and potentially a higher TSA charge under current UK travel advice.
Where pre-registration is required, completing it before departure avoids unnecessary border administration.
What If Your Travel Date Changes After Paying the TSA?
Current Cape Verdean consular guidance states that EASE pre-registration and the TSA payment remain valid for one year from the date of registration when the traveller is unable to make the original journey.
That can be useful when plans change.
Before using an earlier registration for a replacement trip, however, check that the traveller information is still correct and follow any instructions on the official portal for changed travel details.
A Simple Entry Checklist
A few days before travelling, confirm:
- your passport satisfies the current validity requirement;
- your nationality is visa-exempt for the purpose and length of your stay, or the required visa has already been obtained;
- EASE has been completed where required;
- the TSA has been paid where applicable;
- proof of the EASE confirmation is accessible;
- the passport details entered match the passport you will carry;
- flight and accommodation information is correct;
- any documentation required for minors is ready;
- a yellow fever certificate is available if your recent travel route requires one;
- official requirements have not changed since you booked.
Then you can stop thinking about immigration paperwork and get back to the trip itself.
Where to Check the Official Rules
Entry requirements can change.
Use official sources again close to departure.
EASE pre-registration:
https://www.ease.gov.cv/
Cape Verde Government visa information:
https://www.gov.cv/en/pedir-visto
Official visa-exemption list:
https://www.gov.cv/en/paises-isentos-de-visto-para-cabo-verde
A local Cape Verde travel agent can help a traveller understand which normal trip-planning steps appear relevant and point towards the correct official service.
For visa eligibility, immigration decisions, exemptions or unusual consular situations, the final authority is the Cape Verdean government, embassy or consular service.
Need Help Preparing Your Cape Verde Trip?
If you are unsure which practical entry steps apply to your journey, tell us your nationality, travel dates and the islands you plan to visit.
A local Cape Verde travel expert can help you organise the travel formalities around the wider itinerary and direct you to the appropriate official service when an immigration or consular decision is required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a visa to visit Cape Verde?
It depends on your nationality, purpose of travel and intended length of stay.
Many nationalities, including Portugal, the United Kingdom, United States, Canada and many EU countries, are currently visa-exempt for short tourist visits.
Check the official list for the passport you will use.
Do Portuguese citizens need a visa for Cape Verde?
Not for a normal tourist visit of up to 30 days under the current visa-exemption rules.
Portuguese visitors still normally need to complete EASE and pay the TSA unless an exemption applies.
What is EASE for Cape Verde?
EASE is Cape Verde’s electronic traveller pre-registration system.
Foreign visitors provide passport, flight and accommodation information before arrival and, where applicable, pay the international TSA through the process.
How long before travelling should I complete EASE?
Official guidance asks travellers to complete the registration before travel, generally around five days before arrival.
Check the timing currently shown on the official EASE portal when you submit the form.
How much is the Cape Verde TSA?
The current international TSA is 3,400 CVE, approximately €30.83.
The domestic inter-island TSA is currently 150 CVE, approximately €1.36.
Verify the current fee when completing the official process.
Is the TSA the same as a visa?
No.
The TSA is Cape Verde’s Airport Security Fee.
Visa rules determine whether immigration permission is required. The TSA is a separate charge.
What happens if I forget EASE?
Registration may be possible at the border.
Current UK government advice states that, from 1 July 2026, travellers without the required pre-registration or proof may be charged double the TSA.
Because current official sources are not completely aligned on this surcharge, complete EASE before travel and check the current EASE guidance.
How long must my passport be valid for Cape Verde?
Current GOV.CV guidance requires at least six months’ passport validity from the date of entry.
Check again before travelling if your passport is approaching expiry.
Do children pay the TSA?
Children under two are exempt from the TSA.
Additional registration or documentation requirements can apply to older children and to minors travelling without a parent or legal guardian.
Do I need to print my EASE confirmation?
You should bring proof of confirmation.
Keep it in a form you can access when travelling rather than depending on being able to retrieve it online at the border.
Can my tour operator complete EASE for me?
Yes, some operators do.
Confirm explicitly whether yours has completed the pre-registration and TSA for your booking, and make sure you can access proof of completion.