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Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy as a major immigration overhaul reshapes global travel rules. Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy for 96 Countries following strict new security regulations under Decree-Law No. 13/2025 and Decree No. 244/GMAI/2025. Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy due to national security concerns, immigration control tightening, and efforts to prevent irregular entry systems. Travellers worldwide are now required to apply for embassy-issued visas before departure, replacing the previous digital EASE system. This sudden shift impacts global tourism flows, airline planning, and spontaneous travel behaviour across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas.

Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy in Major Immigration Overhaul Affecting Global Travellers

Why has Cape Verde suspended its Visa-on-Arrival system?

Cape Verde’s decision to suspend its Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) system is rooted in a major regulatory reform introduced under Decree-Law No. 13/2025 and Decree No. 244/GMAI/2025. According to official government communication from the Cape Verde Directorate of Foreigners and Borders (DEF), the previous system allowed travellers to obtain entry permits through the digital “EASE” portal or upon arrival at airports.

Authorities have now concluded that this system required stronger verification processes. The policy shift aims to eliminate automated approvals and replace them with structured consular screening. This move reflects a broader global trend toward tightening border control frameworks and improving identity verification procedures for international travellers.

What does the new visa rule mean for travellers?

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Under the updated system, travellers from affected countries must now obtain a physical visa before entering Cape Verde. This requires applying through official embassies or consulates and attending mandatory in-person interviews.

Travellers arriving without a valid visa stamped in their passport will face strict enforcement measures. These include immediate denial of entry, deportation procedures, or return travel at personal expense. This significantly changes the travel experience, especially for tourists who previously relied on last-minute bookings or simplified digital entry systems.

The policy effectively ends spontaneous tourism entry models that had been widely used in the past decade.

Which countries are affected by the suspension?

The suspension applies to citizens of 96 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, the Caribbean, Europe, and Oceania. According to official gazette listings, the affected group includes nations such as India, Indonesia, Egypt, Colombia, Ethiopia, Vietnam, and several Pacific Island states.

This policy shift introduces a clear distinction between exempt and non-exempt travellers. While a large number of countries must now follow consular procedures, traditional tourism markets such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union states, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil remain visa-exempt under existing agreements.

This dual system reflects Cape Verde’s effort to balance tourism flow with enhanced border management controls.

Why is national security the main reason behind this change?

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The Cape Verdean government has cited national security risk assessments as the central reason for the policy change. Officials from the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders have stated that the previous digital entry system allowed rapid approvals without sufficient in-person verification.

The updated framework aims to strengthen immigration screening, prevent irregular migration patterns, and reduce risks associated with identity fraud or human trafficking networks. By shifting to embassy-based approvals, authorities aim to establish a more controlled and traceable visa issuance process.

This approach aligns with international security standards increasingly adopted by island nations with high tourism inflows.

How will this impact global tourism and travel planning?

The suspension of the Visa-on-Arrival system is expected to significantly impact spontaneous tourism to Cape Verde. Travellers who previously relied on flexible entry options must now plan trips well in advance and secure consular appointments before booking flights.

Airlines and tour operators may also need to adjust booking systems to reflect stricter visa requirements. This could influence short-term travel demand, particularly from regions where embassy access is limited or visa processing times are longer.

However, long-term tourism flows may stabilise once the new system is fully integrated into global travel planning platforms.

What happens if travellers arrive without a visa?

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Under the new regulations, entry without a valid consular visa is strictly prohibited. Immigration authorities have confirmed that such travellers will be refused entry at border control points.

In such cases, passengers may be required to return to their point of origin or face deportation at their own expense. This policy removes any flexibility previously associated with on-arrival visa processing, making pre-travel documentation mandatory for affected nationalities.

This strict enforcement marks a significant shift in Cape Verde’s border management strategy.

What remains unchanged for exempt travellers?

Despite the major suspension, visa-free access remains intact for key tourism markets. Travellers from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, and Brazil can still enter Cape Verde without a traditional visa.

However, they must still complete pre-registration on the official EASE portal and pay the mandatory Airport Security Tax (TSA) before arrival. This ensures continued streamlined access while maintaining security screening requirements.

This dual structure allows Cape Verde to maintain tourism competitiveness while tightening overall border controls.

The Official List of Affected Nationalities

According to the official government gazette, the Visa-on-Arrival (VoA) facility is fully suspended for citizens of the following 91 nations (initially drafted as 96, then revised under the final security order). If you hold a passport from any of these countries, you must secure a formal physical visa from a Cape Verde embassy before booking travel.

Africa (28 Countries)

• Algeria
• Burundi
• Cameroon
• Central African Republic
• Chad
• Comoros
• Congo (Brazzaville)
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Gabon
• Kenya
• Lesotho
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritania
• Mauritius
• Namibia
• Rwanda
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Sudan
• Tanzania
• Tunisia

Asia & Middle East (31 Countries)

• Afghanistan
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Bahrain
• Bangladesh
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• Cambodia
• India
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Jordan
• Kyrgyzstan
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Mongolia
• Myanmar
• Nepal
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palestine
• Sri Lanka
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Turkmenistan
• Uzbekistan
• Vietnam
• Yemen

The Americas & Caribbean (22 Countries)

• Belize
• Bolivia
• Chile
• Colombia
• Costa Rica
• Dominica
• Dominican Republic
• Ecuador
• El Salvador
• Grenada
• Guatemala
• Haiti
• Honduras
• Mexico
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Peru
• Saint Lucia
• St. Vincent & the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Venezuela

Europe & Oceania (10 Countries)

• Belarus
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Marshall Islands
• Micronesia
• Nauru
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Tonga
• Tuvalu

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Is Cape Verde still allowing Visa-on-Arrival?
No, the Visa-on-Arrival system has been fully suspended for 96 countries.

Q2: Do tourists still need a visa to enter Cape Verde?
Yes, affected travellers must obtain a consular visa before departure.

Q3: Are all countries affected by the new rule?
No, several countries including the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Brazil remain visa-exempt.

Q4: What happens if I arrive without a visa?
You may be denied entry and required to return or face deportation.

Q5: Why did Cape Verde change its visa policy?
For national security, immigration control, and prevention of irregular entry systems.

Conclusion

Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy marks a decisive shift in the country’s immigration and tourism framework. Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy due to national security priorities, regulatory reforms, and the need for stricter border verification systems. The answer lies in replacing digital and on-arrival entry methods with consular visa processing to ensure controlled migration and improved documentation standards. Cape Verde Abruptly Suspends Its Visa-on-Arrival Policy while balancing tourism continuity through exemptions for key markets. This change reflects a global trend toward tighter visa governance, reshaping travel planning, tourism flows, and international mobility expectations.