Cape Verde Visa for Australian Citizens
Australian Citizens need a visa for Cape Verde, arranged before departure. Cape Verde withdrew visa on arrival for 96 nationalities on 1 January 2026, so turning up at the airport expecting to buy one no longer works. The route now is the government's EASE portal, which issues an e-visa costing around 33 US dollars in three to five working days and permits a 30 day stay; an embassy visa takes two to fifteen working days instead. Flights arrive at Sal and Praia, via Lisbon. Australia held visa on arrival until 1 January 2026, so any guide written before then describing an airport visa is out of date. Given the length of the journey, the cost of being turned around at Sal is worse here than almost anywhere.
Visa At a Glance
- Visa Type
- e-Visa (EASE)
- Best Option
- EASE e-visa, applied for at least two weeks before departure
- Cost
- $33
- Processing
- 3-5 days
- Validity
- 30 days
- Entries
- Single
E-Visa Application
RecommendedCost
$33
Processing
3 to 5 working days
Stay Permitted
30 days
Entries
Single
How to Apply for E-Visa
Apply on ease.gov.cv at least two weeks before you fly
Give the flight details for your arrival into Sal
Pay the visa fee and the airport security tax together
Carry the approval offline; airlines check it at the gate
Requirements
E-Visa Documents
- Passport valid six months beyond arrival
- Digital passport photograph
- Confirmed return ticket
- Accommodation for at least the first night
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Australian citizens need a visa for Cape Verde?
Yes. Since 1 January 2026 Australian Citizens must hold a visa before boarding. The EASE e-visa costs around 33 US dollars, takes three to five working days and permits a 30 day stay. Visa on arrival is no longer available to this nationality.
Can Australian travellers still get a visa on arrival in Cape Verde?
No. That option ended on 1 January 2026 when Cape Verde withdrew visa on arrival for 96 countries. Arriving without an approved visa means refusal of entry and a return on the inbound aircraft, and airlines increasingly check before boarding.
How do Australian citizens apply for a Cape Verde visa?
Cape Verde has no mission in Australia. Applications go through the EASE portal, or through the embassy in Tokyo or Washington DC if a paper visa is needed.
How do Australian travellers get to Cape Verde?
Australians reach Cape Verde through Europe, usually Dubai or Doha to Lisbon and TAP onward, or via Johannesburg and Lisbon. Total journey time is rarely under 28 hours.
What does it cost in total?
Around 33 US dollars for the e-visa plus the airport security tax of 3,400 escudos, about 34 dollars, which every air arrival pays. Budget roughly 67 dollars per person. The full process is set out on our Cape Verde visa page.
Visa Requirements for Australian Citizens in Other Countries
Planning a multi-country trip? Check the requirements for your other destinations.