Visa

There is conflicting information on this as they keep changing the information/rules and no one-person at the moment is able to provide accurate information on a regular basis.

The first article is about your visitors' or travel visa. Further down this page there is information on Extending and Renewing your visa and Applying for Residence. Please read on....

Visitors' Visa

TRAVEL VISA

Your holiday visa is only officially for 1-2 weeks.

On entering the airport just after departing the plane, you may be told to go straight to the queue at Passport Control. There may be delays going through Passport control due to large queue's.

You may also find that when you get to the counter, they can't find a record of your pre-paid visa on their system so they may refer you to the Visa Office where you will be required to fill out a form for a Visa and pay 25euros per person.

They won't accept euro change at the Visa Office, only euro notes (not sterling). If you don't have euros you will have to obtain some through the Bank or the Cash Point. Please note the Bank could be closed when you arrive! Customs will let you through to get the cash to make the payment.

If you have to pay for your visa you can only pay with euros or escudos (CVE) on Sal (CV). You will also need euros or escudos to pay for taxis and to buy things in shops. NOTE: They do not accept sterling or American dollars, only at the banks. Some smaller CV islands do not accept euros (other than at the bank).

There is a cash point in the foyer of the airport which Customs will let you through to use if you don't have euros or escudos to pay for your visa. There is also a bank in the foyer of the airport in Sal but it may be closed when you arrive! So bring some euros with you.

The cash point may take Visa but I haven’t personally used it to see if you can withdraw cash in euros?

Unfortunately I am having to to rely on others who have similar experiences to keep me posted on what is happening.

In the meantime, check out the following website which also provides information on visa's :
www.capeverdebureau.com

It would appear that the only correct way to obtain a visa prior to arrival is through the Consul in Rotterdam. Cape Verde Bureau in Liverpool can obtain this visa on bhalf of travellers but they have admin charge for checking applications, courier service to Rotterdam and returning the documents by recorded express delivery service to travellers home addresses.

If you are expecting to return to CV a number of times, then make enquiries about the Multy Entry Visa with the Consul.

'Collectve Group' visa's are issued by some travel agents in UK who book your air tickets and or accomodation, but these are strictly for travellers staying in the same hotel, not for individuals/couples travelling flight only and making their own hotel/apartment arrangements.

It is understood that immigration at Sal will be looking for tour operators abusing this type of pre issue of visas, it could cause people travelling without correct visa lengthy delays.

The other method of obtaining a visa is as you know pot luck, take a chance and get a visa on arrival and hope for the best. PLEASE NOTE: Some visitors arriving on Sal from other countries (not UK)without a visa have been refused entry and have had to return to their place of origin on the next available flight. Persons from other countries should make their own enquiries with their nearest Cape Verde Consul. Cape Verde Tips does not provide a service for issueing Visa's.

Please look at the RELATED ARTICLE links below.