Home › Entry Requirements
Praia Entry Requirements

Praia Entry Requirements

Visa, immigration, and customs information

Important Notice Entry requirements can change at any time. Always verify current requirements with official government sources before traveling.
Government Travel Advisories
Verified 2026-09-26
Before you travel: official formalities

  • Cabo Verde EASE pre-registration and airport security fee

    Who
    Passengers on international flights, except exempt groups such as children under 2 and transit passengers
    When
    Online, preferably at least 5 days before the trip
    Cost
    3,400 CVE airport security fee, charged when pre-registering

    Pre-registration and the airport security fee are handled on the EASE platform.

    Official site
    Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Praia entry runs smooth if you handle the basics beforehand. Complete the mandatory EASE pre-registration on Cabo Verde's official portal. This covers the airport security fee. Do it five days early. Visa rules shift. Cabo Verde updates bilateral agreements often. Some travelers enter free. Others need electronic authorization or embassy visas. Bring your passport, EASE confirmation, accommodation proof, and onward travel evidence. Rules change. Verify current requirements with official sources and your airline before flying to Praia.

Visa Requirements

Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.

Cabo Verde sets visa policy through bilateral agreements with individual countries. These get revised periodically. Your entry options, visa-free, electronic pre-authorization, or embassy application, depend on your passport. Check the official Cabo Verde immigration website before booking.

Visa-Free Entry
Varies by nationality. Check the official Cabo Verde immigration website for the permitted stay that applies to your passport

Some nationalities enter Cabo Verde without advance visas. Eligibility and stay length depend on specific agreements. These arrangements can change.

Visa-free travelers still need EASE pre-registration and the airport security fee paid. Immigration may request accommodation proof, sufficient funds evidence, and confirmed return or onward flights. Keep documents accessible.

Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA/eVisa)
Varies by nationality and authorization type. Consult the official Cabo Verde immigration website for current terms

Cabo Verde runs the EASE platform. All international passengers must pre-register before arrival. The system collects travel details and processes the mandatory 3,400 CVE airport security fee. Some nationalities also need electronic visas or travel authorization through official government channels.

How to Apply: Complete pre-registration online through the official EASE portal. Do this at least 5 days before departure. The process covers travel information and collects the airport security fee. If you need a separate electronic visa, the immigration website directs you to the right application procedure and required documents.
Cost: The EASE airport security fee is 3,400 CVE. Additional visa fees, if required for your nationality, are set by the Cabo Verde government and subject to change.

Children under 2 and transit passengers skip the EASE airport security fee. Keep your EASE confirmation handy at Praia airport. You will need it at check-in or immigration.

Visa Required
Depends on the visa type granted. Confirm with the issuing embassy or the official Cabo Verde immigration website

Some nationalities need traditional visas through Cabo Verde embassies or consulates. Start early. Processing times vary. Embassy appointments can be scarce.

How to Apply: Apply through your nearest Cabo Verde embassy or consulate. You will need a completed application form, valid passport with adequate remaining validity, passport photos, Praia accommodation proof, sufficient funds evidence, and return or onward travel documentation. Processing times depend on location and demand.

Visa holders must still complete EASE pre-registration and pay the airport security fee before departure. Confirm current documentary requirements directly with your handling embassy. Specifics may differ from general guidance.

Arrival Process

Nelson Mandela International Airport in Praia stays calmer than major hubs. Immigration queues spike when multiple flights land together. Organized documents and your EASE confirmation speed things up.

1
Complete EASE Pre-Registration Before You Fly
Register on the official EASE platform before departure. This is mandatory for all international passengers to Cabo Verde. Only children under 2 and transit passengers are exempt. The platform collects travel information and processes the 3,400 CVE airport security fee. Complete this online at least 5 days before your trip.
2
Arrival and Disembarkation
After landing at Nelson Mandela International Airport, follow signs to immigration and arrivals. The compact layout makes navigation easy.
3
Immigration Control
Hand your passport, EASE confirmation, and any required visa or authorization to the immigration officer. Be ready to explain your visit purpose, expected length, Praia accommodation, and return or onward flight. Honest answers and organized documents help.
4
Baggage Collection
Grab your checked luggage from the carousel. The airport runs a modest flight schedule. Wait times stay reasonable most days. Delays happen. Plan for them.
5
Customs
Clear customs. Carrying goods past duty-free limits? Currency over the declaration threshold? Take the red channel. Declare everything. Otherwise, walk through green. Officers spot-check either way.

Documents to Have Ready

Valid Passport
Keep your passport valid six months past your Praia departure date. Cabo Verde requires this routinely. Double-check exact rules on the official immigration site before flying.
EASE Confirmation
Show proof you finished EASE pre-registration and paid the 3,400 CVE security fee. Every international passenger needs this. Kids under 2 and transit passengers skip it. Finish online. Five days ahead works best.
Visa or Travel Authorization (if applicable)
Visa rules depend on your passport. Some need visas. Others need electronic travel authorization. Check the official Cabo Verde immigration site. Know before you go.
Proof of Accommodation
Bring hotel confirmation. Or a host's invitation letter. Proof of where you sleep. Officers ask sometimes. Keep it handy.
Return or Onward Travel
Have your onward booking ready. Flight out of Cabo Verde. Or other transport. Airlines and immigration both check this.
Proof of Sufficient Funds
Officers can ask for financial proof. Bank statement. Credit card. Something showing you can pay your way. Carry it just in case.

Tips for Smooth Entry

Finish EASE registration early. Five days before departure, ideally. Platform glitches happen. Payment delays happen. Last-minute panic is avoidable.
Print your EASE confirmation. Print your hotel booking. Print your return flight. Phone batteries die. WiFi fails. Paper saves you.
Connecting through another country? Check their transit visa rules separately. Those rules have nothing to do with Cabo Verde entry requirements.
The escudo runs local transactions. You will not need it for immigration. Have some ready after. Or a card that works abroad. You will need transport into Praia.
Flights bunch up sometimes. Queues grow. Organize your documents beforehand. Present them fast. Everyone moves quicker.

Customs & Duty-Free

Cabo Verde customs mirror other island nations. Rules block smuggling. Rules protect the environment. Thresholds change. Lists of controlled items change. Treat this as general guidance only. Verify specifics with official Cabo Verde customs sources if you are unsure about an item.

Alcohol
You may bring spirits, wine, or beer. Personal quantities only. Standard international limits apply.
Be of legal age. Extra bottles mean duties. Check current Cabo Verde customs limits if you plan to bring more than basic personal amounts.
Tobacco
A limited quantity of cigarettes, cigars, or loose tobacco for personal use
Cabo Verde customs sets exact limits. Limits change. Clearly personal amounts pass. Larger quantities draw attention. Duties follow.
Currency
Declare currency above the threshold. Both arrival and departure. No exceptions.
Cabo Verde monitors local and foreign currency movements. Thresholds update. Check current rules before carrying significant cash.
Gifts and Personal Goods
Personal effects and gifts are allowed. Stay within the value limit Cabo Verde customs sets.
Commercial resale intentions trigger duties. Taking expensive gear back out? Camera equipment? Laptops? Keep receipts. Keep a dated inventory. Departure goes smoother.

Prohibited Items

  • Narcotics and controlled substances as defined by Cabo Verdean law
  • Leave firearms, ammunition, and weapons home. Unless Cabo Verde authorities pre-authorized you in writing.
  • Counterfeit goods and pirated materials
  • Protect local biodiversity. Skip plants, seeds, unprocessed animal products. Unless you carry proper phytosanitary or veterinary permits.

Restricted Items

  • Prescription meds in large quantities need a physician letter. Cabo Verde health authority approval may follow. Carry documentation.
  • Fresh meat, dairy, plant materials face inspection. Some face restriction. Cabo Verde protects its agricultural environment aggressively.
  • Drones and radio gear need advance clearance. Contact Cabo Verde civil aviation or telecommunications authorities before packing them.

Health Requirements

Cabo Verde keeps health entry requirements simple. Still, travelers to Praia need to know a few basics. Rules shift with global health developments. Check official sources before you fly.

Required Vaccinations

  • Yellow fever vaccination certificates are required for travelers arriving from, or who have recently transited through, any country with yellow fever transmission risk. Carry your International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (the yellow card). Border officials will ask to see it.

Recommended Vaccinations

  • Keep routine vaccinations current. This includes measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, varicella, and polio.
  • Hepatitis An is broadly recommended for travelers to the Cabo Verde region
  • Hepatitis B vaccination may be recommended. This depends on your stay's length and nature in Praia.
  • Discuss typhoid vaccination with a travel health professional. Do this if you plan to eat outside established hotels and restaurants.
  • See a travel medicine specialist. Get personalized advice based on your health history, medications, and full itinerary.

Health Insurance

Cabo Verde does not currently mandate health insurance for entry. Get coverage anyway. Medical facilities in Praia are limited compared to larger countries. Serious conditions may need evacuation abroad. A policy covering emergency care and medical evacuation is essential. Arrange this before departure.

Current Health Requirements: Travelers from yellow fever risk countries should carry valid vaccination certificates. Praia border officials may request these. No other mandatory health screenings apply at present. Check Cabo Verde health authority or your home country's travel advisory for current rules. Conditions change fast.

Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance

Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.

Get a Free, No-Obligation Quote from World Nomads
Read our complete Praia Travel Insurance Guide →

Important Contacts

Essential resources for your trip.

Embassy or Consulate
Find your country's nearest embassy or consulate accredited to Cabo Verde. Some maintain direct presence in Praia. Others cover Cabo Verde from neighboring countries.
Check your government's consular website for contacts, hours, and services. Enroll in voluntary traveler registration if available. This helps staff reach you in emergencies.
Immigration Authority
The Cabo Verde Directorate of Immigration and Border Services handles visas, entry rules, and extensions.
Check the official Cabo Verde immigration website for current visa requirements, stay durations, and extension procedures. The EASE platform manages mandatory pre-registration for international flights.
Emergency Services
In Praia, dial 132 for police, 131 for fire, and 130 for ambulance services.
Response times in Praia vary by location and demand. The main public hospital handles serious emergencies. Contact your embassy or consulate for added support in a crisis.

Special Situations

Additional requirements for specific circumstances.

Traveling with Children

Each child needs their own valid passport to enter Praia. Some countries and airlines require extra documents when minors travel with one parent or non-guardians. Carry a notarized consent letter from absent parents. This prevents delays at departure and arrival. Children under 2 pay no EASE airport security fee.

Traveling with Pets

Pet import requires advance planning. You need a veterinary health certificate issued shortly before travel, proof of current rabies vaccination, and possibly an import permit from Cabo Verde veterinary authorities. Species requirements differ. Contact relevant authorities and your airline early. Quarantine may apply.

Extended Stays

To stay in Praia beyond your permitted period, apply for an extension or residence authorization through Cabo Verde immigration. Start before your stay expires. Overstaying brings fines, deportation, or future entry problems. For work, study, or retirement, check the official immigration website or a Cabo Verde embassy for proper visa categories.

Dual Nationals

Dual nationals with Cabo Verdean citizenship should note: Cabo Verde treats you primarily as a national. This limits consular help from your other country. Enter and exit on the same passport. Carry both documents.

Know What to Pack

Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.

View Praia Packing List →

Ready to plan your trip to Praia?

Now that you've got the research covered, here's where to go next.

Where to Stay

Best neighbourhoods and hotels for every budget.

Find hotels →

What to Pack

Climate-specific gear and essentials for Praia.

See packing list →

Staying Connected

eSIM, local SIM, and WiFi options for Praia.

Get connected →

Continue Planning Your Trip

Health & Safety

Stay safe while traveling for Praia

Stay Connected

Internet and phone options for Praia

Packing List

What to bring on your trip for Praia

Budget Guide

Trip costs and money tips for Praia