Cape Verde Introduces E-Visas for 91 Nationalities; Airport Fee Rises to $44

As of November 4, 2026, new entry requirements are in effect in Cape Verde that affect both visa issuance and the airport security fee (TSA). These changes are based on Decree-Law No. 49/2026, which was published in the country’s Official Gazette on November 3 and took effect one day later. For travelers planning a trip to the archipelago in the Atlantic, this results in two significant changes: a simplification of the visa application process for numerous nationalities and a noticeable increase in entry costs.

The most significant change affects nationals of 91 countries and territories who were previously subject to a visa requirement with advance registration. As of January 1, 2026, these travelers were no longer able to obtain a visa upon arrival at the airport—instead, they were required to register in advance via the official online portal EASE and pay the applicable fees beforehand. Under the new regulation, an electronic visa is now being introduced, allowing nationals of the affected countries to submit their application entirely online, with no provision for a return to the traditional visa-on-arrival system. The previous on-site visa process is thus abolished but replaced by a digital procedure that must be completed before departure.

For travelers from one of the 91 affected countries, this means in practice that the visa application must now be completed entirely online before departure. Spontaneous entry without a pre-approved document is no longer possible. Anyone planning a trip to Cape Verde should therefore begin the application process well in advance of their planned departure date to avoid delays or being denied entry. We handle the complete review of documents and the submission of the electronic visa on behalf of our clients, so travelers do not have to deal with the technical details of the application process themselves.

Higher airport fee also affects visa-exempt travelers

In parallel with the visa reform, the Airport Security Tax (TSA)—a security fee levied upon entry through the country’s airports—has been significantly increased. The amount has risen from 3,400 to 4,400 Cape Verdean escudos, which currently corresponds to approximately 44 U.S. dollars. This fee is collected via the EASE portal and should be considered separately from the new visa regulations—it applies to virtually all incoming travelers, regardless of whether a visa is required or not.

This increase is particularly relevant for travelers from countries whose nationals are still permitted to enter visa-free for short tourist stays. They, too, will have to pay the higher security fee in the future, as it applies to all travelers regardless of their visa status. Therefore, anyone planning to visit Cape Verde without a visa should factor in the higher total cost of the trip when budgeting, as the fee must generally be paid via the corresponding online system before departure.

For applicants who need a visa, it is advisable to budget for both items—the visa fee and the security fee—together, as they are processed as part of the same online procedure. Given the complex and ever-changing requirements, it’s worth submitting your application early and with professional assistance. Through our application page, we’ll handle compiling the necessary documents and guide you through the entire process so that travelers can focus entirely on their upcoming trip. Those interested can also find an overview of additional travel destinations and corresponding visa categories in our summary of all visa types.