Cape Verde Scraps Visa-on-Arrival for 96 Countries, Including Nigeria
Cape Verde has officially ended its visa-on-arrival programme for citizens of 96 countries, with Nigeria among the affected nations. The sweeping overhaul of the country's immigration policy, enacted under Decree-Law No. 13/2025 and Decree No. 244/GMAI/2025, abolishes both the visa-on-arrival system and the Electronic Airport Security Tax (EASE) digital entry platform. Eligible travellers must now obtain a visa from a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate before travelling.
Nigerians Face Stricter Visa Process
For Nigerian travellers, spontaneous trips to Cape Verde are no longer possible through airport-issued visas or online pre-clearance. Applicants must now complete the visa process at a diplomatic mission, where authorities have introduced stricter background checks and identity verification measures, including mandatory in-person interviews before approval. According to Cape Verde's Directorate of Foreigners and Borders (DEF), the reforms aim to improve immigration controls, enhance national security, and curb irregular migration. Officials stated that the previous system, which allowed visitors to secure entry through the EASE platform or obtain visas upon arrival, no longer met the required scrutiny under the updated border management strategy.
Tougher Border Controls and Enforcement
Cape Verde's policy shift reflects a broader global trend toward tighter immigration rules and stronger identity verification for international travellers. Under the new regulations, travellers arriving without a valid visa risk being refused entry, deported immediately, or required to pay the full cost of their return journey. The government has warned airlines and travel operators to enforce the rules strictly by ensuring passengers possess valid visas before boarding flights to the country.
Impact on Tourism and Travel Industry
Industry observers believe the new measures could disrupt tourism flows, airline operations, and last-minute travel arrangements, particularly for visitors who relied on visa-on-arrival facilities for business or leisure trips. The stricter entry requirements are expected to affect travellers across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas who benefited from Cape Verde's simplified entry process, according to a report by the Nigerian Tribune.
Full List of Affected Countries
The new restrictions apply to 96 countries across four regions. In Africa, affected nations include Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Tunisia, among others. The list also covers 31 countries in Asia and the Middle East, including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Yemen. In the Americas and the Caribbean, countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, and Venezuela are affected. Belarus and several Pacific island nations are included under Europe and Oceania.
Context and Broader Implications
This immigration reform marks one of Cape Verde's most significant border policy changes in recent years, signaling a shift toward more rigorous screening of international visitors before entry. In related news, the United States recently introduced a $750 premium visa interview service for Nigerians, allowing expedited appointments within 10 business days for B1/B2 visa applicants, as reported by TheCable. The premium option operates at selected US embassies and consulates, though specific locations have not been disclosed.
