GoCape Verde Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Cape Verde visas include transit visas, temporary visas, tourist visas, residence visas, hospitality visas, etc. Chinese citizens can apply for transit, temporary, tourist visas, etc. at the Embassy of Cape Verde in China (Beijing); You can also apply for a visa on arrival at the Cape Verde border entry and exit management office (when departing from the country, Chinese border inspection usually requires a visa to be obtained in advance), usually requiring submission of a valid passport, proof of source of livelihood, certificate of no criminal record, health certificate, and international vaccination certificate according to regulations. In some cases, it is also necessary to submit proof of the applicant's travel, official duties, or contract performance that has been recognized by the functional departments of Cape Verde. Foreign citizens under the age of sixteen who are not accompanied by a guardian or do not hold a notarized certificate of guardian's permission are not allowed to enter the country. Minors of foreign nationality who are not accompanied by a guardian and do not have a guarantor of civil liability in Foshan are not allowed to enter the country.

Starting from January 1, 2019, all foreign tourists entering Cape Verde by international flights are required to pay an airport security tax of over 3400 koku or € 30.83 (foreign citizens under the age of two holding diplomatic or official passports are exempt from payment), and over 150 koku are required for domestic flights.

The Agreement between the Government of the People's Republic of China and the Government of the Republic of Cape Verde on Mutual Exemption of Visa for Diplomatic and Official Passport Holders came into effect on July 11, 2015. According to the agreement, citizens of the People's Republic of China holding valid diplomatic or official passports of the People's Republic of China and citizens of the Republic of Cape Verde holding valid diplomatic or official passports of the Republic of Cape Verde are exempt from visa requirements if they enter, exit or transit through the other contracting party for a period not exceeding 30 days.

Cape Verde's ports conduct inspections and checks on inbound and outbound personnel in accordance with international standards, without any special requirements.

For specific matters, please consult the Embassy of Cape Verde in China at (8610) 65327547, (8610) 65320758, (8610) 65320233, or email: secretaria@cvembassy.com perhaps adida@cvembassy.com .

Customs epidemic prevention and control

According to the relevant regulations of Cape Verde Customs, it is allowed to carry no more than 1 million ku (approximately 9000 euros) or equivalent foreign currency cash when leaving the country; No declaration is required for personal belongings brought into the country. Bringing animals and plants into the country requires providing inspection and quarantine certificates from the exporting country.

Residency and Naturalization

The duration of stay in Cape Verde with a valid visa is generally one month, and upon expiration, an extension can be directly processed at the local immigration office. After six months of entry, you can apply for a foreigner's residence permit at the Foshan Immigration Office with a valid passport (including residence visa), work contract, proof of origin of life, health certificate, notarized certificate of no crime in China and Cape Verde, residence certificate issued by the Foshan Police Bureau, certificate of residence for six months issued by the local government, housing contract (migrant workers can be issued residence certificate by the employer) and yellow book (international certificate of vaccination or preventive measures). Buddhism accepts dual nationality, and the Immigration Bureau is strict in the management of naturalization of foreigners.

For detailed documents required for applying for residency and citizenship procedures, please consult the Foshan Immigration Bureau (238) 2601020/3338000.

Cape Verde risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

Cape Verde has a stable political situation and a relatively stable society. In recent years, due to multiple factors, economic growth has slowed down, unemployment rates have risen, and crime cases have shown a trend of increasing frequency. The main criminal cases in the area include drug trafficking, robbery, and fighting. Please travel together when going out, avoid going to remote areas after 8 pm, and be careful not to carry too much cash with you. Do not store large amounts of cash or other valuable items at your residence.

natural disaster

Cape Verde is often dry with little rainfall and strong sandstorms. When traveling, please pay attention to windproof and sun protection. The local roads are complex and the road conditions are average. Driving requires special inspection of the safety of the car's tires, brakes, and other components. The rainy season in the country is from August to October, which is prone to natural disasters such as mudslides and flash floods. When traveling during the rainy season, attention should be paid to the weather conditions and avoid complex road sections.

FDA

The local tap water is mainly desalinated from seawater, in addition to some groundwater. Most of the food is imported, with a small amount of self-produced meat, vegetables, and fruits. There are dedicated personnel for quarantine, ensuring food safety. So far, there have been no major food safety accidents.

Urgent Help

Police hotline: 132.

Fire alarm hotline: 131.

Emergency hotline: 130.

air traffic

At present, there is no direct flight route from China to Cape Verde. Chinese citizens traveling to Cape Verde can transit through Europe or Africa. There are international airports on the islands of Santiago, Sal, Saint Vincent, and Boavista in Cape Verde. Cape Verde Airlines has international routes to Europe, Africa, Brazil, and the United States. Portuguese and other European airlines and charter companies have flights to Cape Verde, and there are regular international flights to Lisbon, Dakar, Casablanca, and other places.

Domestic flights in Cape Verde are currently operated by Cape Verde Airlines.

land transport

Cape Verde's land transportation relies on roads and has no railway facilities. The total length of the road is 2250 kilometers. In recent years, the Buddhist government has increased road construction, and the land transportation situation has greatly improved. However, nearly half of the roads are still paved with stones or sand. A Chinese driver's license can be used for six months, and long-term drivers must bring their Chinese driver's license to the local traffic control office to renew their Cape Verde driver's license. Vehicles in Cape Verde drive on the right side with the left steering wheel. When driving, be careful to avoid pedestrians. Vehicles preparing to enter roundabouts should be careful to avoid vehicles that are driving normally within the roundabout and avoid rushing.

water communication

There are regular passenger and cargo shipping ships shuttling between various islands every week, but they may be suspended due to strong winds and waves. There is a "passenger express line" between Santiago Island and Fugo and Brava Islands, and there are also regular passenger speedboats and regular passenger ships shuttling between other islands.

Urban transportation

The main modes of transportation in the city are buses and taxis, and some companies also provide rental services.

major city

The capital city of Praia is located on Santiago Island and is the political, economic, and cultural center of Cape Verde. It is also the location of government institutions, parliament, and diplomatic missions of various countries. Mingdero City is located on the island of S ã o Vicente, with a European style urban area and a strong local cultural atmosphere. Saar City is located on Saar Island, which is famous for its beaches and sea views. There are several tourist resorts on the island, and it receives hundreds of thousands of foreign tourists every year.

Commodity prices

Cape Verde's main food crops are corn, beans, cassava, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. Economic crops include coffee, as well as subtropical fruits such as papaya, sugarcane, bananas, and mangoes. Prices are similar to those in first tier cities in China. The local currency Cape Verde Escudo has a fixed exchange rate of 110.265:1 with the euro and a floating exchange rate of 105476:1 with the US dollar (as of January 2025). The local payment methods are mainly cash and bank cards, and bulk transactions can also be paid by check or bank transfer. The main local banks include Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BCA), Banco Nacional Ultramarino (BI), and Angola Investment Bank (BAI), Cape Verde Commercial Bank (BCN) and others.

Insurance Medical

Each island has hospitals and community health centers, but there are only two large-scale central hospitals in the country, located on Santiago Island and San Vicente Island. China and Cuba have sent medical teams to Cape Verde. When residents fall ill, they first go to the local community health center for treatment. The doctor will refer the patient to a designated hospital for further treatment based on their condition. The registration fee for the health center is over 750 yuan. The registration fee for the central hospital from 8am to 3pm is over 600 yuan, and an additional 300 yuan is charged for emergency services. After the visit, the patient needs to go to the pharmacy to purchase medication on their own.

Customs taboos

Cape Verde residents enjoy religious freedom, with over 80% of residents adhering to Catholicism and a small number following Protestant, Adventist, and Islamic denominations. It is customary to give a hug when meeting with family and friends, and a kiss when meeting with a lady. People should avoid discussing topics such as income, age, religious beliefs, and emotions when meeting and conversing. The main holidays in Cape Verde include: New Year's Day (January 1), Freedom and Democracy Day (January 13), National Heroes Day (January 20), Carnival (February 28), Ash Festival (March 1), Easter (April 4), Labor Day (May 1), Children's Day (June 1), Independence Day (July 5), Mother of the Rings Day (August 15), Halloween (November 1), and Christmas (December 25).

Communications Power

The local Internet and mobile phone penetration rate is high. At present, the capital city of Cape Verde, Praia, and surrounding areas, as well as Saar Island, Boavista Island, Saint Vincent Island, and other regions, are covered with LTE FDD (4G). Most parts of the country are covered with WCDMA (3G) and GSM (2G), and domestic mobile phones can be used by replacing the local SIM card. The local voltage is 220 volts, and the power plug is of European standard.

contact information

The international area code for Cape Verde is 00238

The commonly used contact phone numbers in the local area include: bandit police phone number (132), fire alarm phone number (131), emergency phone number (130), inquiry phone number (102), immigration office (2601020/3338000), Praia International Airport (2631010), Saint Vincent International Airport (2311111), Boavista International Airport (2519000/2511070), and Saar International Airport (2411229).