Cape Verde has suspended its visa-on-arrival policy for citizens of 96 countries and territories, introducing new immigration rules that require affected travellers to obtain visas before departing for the island nation.
The new regulations took effect on January 1, 2026, as part of measures aimed at strengthening border security and improving immigration management.
Under the revised policy, travellers from the affected countries can no longer obtain visas upon arrival at Cape Verdean airports. Instead, they are now required to secure entry, transit or airport stopover visas in advance through a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate before travelling.
Authorities warned that passengers who arrive without the required documentation may be denied entry, transit privileges or airport stopovers in Cape Verde.
Despite the changes, all visitors, including those from visa-exempt countries, are still required to complete mandatory pre-registration through Cape Verde’s EASE (Efficient Automatic and Safe Entry of Travellers) platform and pay the applicable Airport Security Tax.
The Cape Verdean government said the policy change is intended to enhance security and allow for more effective monitoring of international arrivals.
The 96 countries and territories affected by the suspension of visa-on-arrival are:
Afghanistan, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bhutan, Bolivia, Botswana, Brunei, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Comoros, Congo, Costa Rica, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kiribati, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritania, Mexico, Mongolia, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Nicaragua, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestine, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Samoa, Somalia, South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tokelau, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The new visa requirements are expected to affect tourists, business travellers and transit passengers from dozens of countries worldwide, requiring them to make visa arrangements before embarking on trips to the Atlantic archipelago.
Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The National Concord Blog Newsletter for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now below!
