Passport and Visa
Passenger Identification and travel permission
Is considered passenger identification (ID) for travelling, following original and valid documents:
- Passport (must have a minimum validity of 6 months at the date of return);
- National ID Card;
- Visa;
- Immigration documents;
- Alien Residents card;
- In case of minors’ passengers, travel permission is required for an International flight.
Other important documents
When traveling to an international destination, the certificate of vaccination can be requested by airport officers, and you may be penalized if it is not in order with OMS recommendations. Which means, when traveling internationally, you need to be aware about health policies of the country you are visiting.
Passengers with final destination Cabo Verde must have the International Certificate of yellow fever vaccine.
NOTE 1: The acceptance of the entry documents may differ between the country of original departure and the country of destination. For information and clearance is required to check Travel Information Manual (TIM) and «Regulation nº 02/2010 from March 11th».
NOTE 2: For more information, it is recommended to consult Cape Verdean law: “LAW Nº 66/VIII/2014“.
Important Information for Passengers
Entry Restrictions to the United States (Update effective January 1, 2026)
The United States has fully or partially suspended entry and/or visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries and for travelers holding specific documents.
There are two levels of suspension:
- Full suspension: suspension of both immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance (with limited exceptions);
- Partial suspension: suspension of immigrant visas and certain non-immigrant visas.
For more information, please consult Travel State Gov.
If you are traveling to the United States from Cabo Verde, it is important to ensure that you meet all entry requirements required by the U.S. authorities before arriving at the airport.
Verification of these requirements is mandatory for boarding.
Required Documents
All passengers traveling to the United States must present:
- Valid passport;
- Valid travel authorization or visa;
- Return or onward ticket;
- Address of stay in the United States.
The documents will be verified during the check-in process.
Traveling Without a Visa – Visa Waiver Program
Citizens of certain countries can travel to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). To use this program, passengers must:
To use this program, it is necessary to:
- Hold an electronic passport (e-passport);
- Obtain travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA);
- Stay in the United States for a maximum of 90 days;
- Hold a round-trip ticket.
- This applies to foreign citizens of the countries participating in this program, for more information.
The ESTA authorization must be obtained before traveling.
For more information, please consult the U.S. Government entry requirements website here.
Passengers with a Visa
Passengers who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program must hold a valid visa issued by a United States embassy or consulate.
The type of visa will depend on the purpose of travel, such as:
- Tourism or business;
- Study;
- Work;
- Transit.
Passengers in Transit Through the United States
If your flight connects in the United States, you must meet the same entry requirements as passengers with a final destination in the country. The United States does not have an international transit area, so all passengers must go through immigration control.
Information Required at Check-in
During the check-in process, you may be asked for:
- Passport number;
- Residential address;
- Address while staying in the United States;
- Contact phone number.
This information is required by immigration authorities.
IMPORTANT
Approval of an ESTA or possession of a U.S. visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The final decision regarding admission into the country is made by officers of U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the airport of arrival.
Recommendations for Passengers
To avoid delays or refusal of boarding:
- Check your documents before traveling;
- Request the ESTA in advance;
- Confirm that all reservation details match your passport.
For more information, please visit IATA Travel Centre.
Validity of the ESTA Travel Authorization
Your ESTA authorization is valid for up to two years, provided it is not revoked and your passport remains valid. This means it can be used for multiple entries into the United States.
You may update your destination address, travel itinerary, or future travel plans on the ESTA website.
APIS Data Collection
Through the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), TACV – Cabo Verde Airlines transmits the data of all passengers to the U.S. immigration authorities on the day of departure.
To ensure a smooth and hassle-free arrival, it is important to provide complete and accurate information.
The requested data may include, for example, passenger name, passport details, address of stay in the United States.
Mobile Passport Control (MPC)
Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free mobile application that allows U.S. and Canadian citizens to complete the information normally required on the customs declaration form directly on their mobile phone.
Main advantages:
- Faster entry into the United States;
- Reduced inspection time at passport control;
- Priority access at some entry points;
- Real-time updates on immigration waiting times.
For more information, please consult the U.S. Government website.
Advanced Passenger Information System data (APIS)
Aiming at a better borderline and migratory flow control, passengers travelling to Portugal must make their personal information available according to Act 193/2013, as follows:
- Number, date of issue and validity of travel document to be used
- Nationality
- Full name
- Date of birth
- Border post when entering national territory
- Transport code
- Departure and arrival time
- Total number of passengers on that means of transport
- Initial embarkation place.
Cabo Verde Airlines must give all this information to the Portuguese Immigration Services.
Based on Order 2004/82/CE, Cabo Verde Airlines extends application of APIS to passengers willing to travel to Schengen countries :Holland, France, Italy, Spain and the Canary Islands.
If you traveling to France, in accordance with Article L 237 -7 of French Homeland Security Code, please be informed that air carriers may transmit reservation, checking and boarding data collected from their passengers ( API/PNR) to the French national public services and competent authorities for the purposes and under conditions as defined in the Decret N° 2014-1095 dated 26/09/2014, modified by decree 2018/714 dated August 3rd 2018.
Nigéria
Prevention And Control Across Border Transmission Of Yellow Fever
The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends vaccination against Yellow Fever for all international travelers aged Nine (9) months to Sixty (60) years entering or exiting Nigeria, as there is evidence of persistent or periodic Yellow Fever virus transmission in the country.
Dated 11th March 2020, the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health has implemented the Operationalization of Nigeria’s Point of Entry policy on the prevention and control of cross border transmission of Yellow Fever. The entry screening of passengers due to the COVID-19 outbreak will be prioritized by the Port Health services until the outbreak has been effectively contained.
To all operating Regional and International flights into and out of Nigeria will implement the following policy of the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health as follows:
- Passengers coming to Nigeria without documented proof of vaccination against Yellow Fever (valid yellow card) be allowed to board but be advised that they will be vaccinated accordingly at Points of Entry and the process for obtaining the e-Yellow card will be initiated.
- For Passengers departing Nigeria, a valid Yellow card will be required for boarding.
Health Recommendations:
Malaria prophylaxis: malaria risk, mainly due to P. falciparum, exists throughout the year in the whole country. Recommended prevention: C.
The WHO recommended type of prevention is referred to as:
- Type A (very limited risk of malaria transmission) – Mosquito bite prevention only.
- Type B (risk of non-falciparum malaria) – Mosquito-bite prevention plus chloroquine or doxycycline or atovaquone-proguanil or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis.
- Type C (risk of P. falciparum malaria) – Mosquito-bite prevention plus atovaquone-proguanil or doxycycline or mefloquine chemoprophylaxis.
- Chemoprophylaxis should be started preferably one week before departure and no later than the first day of exposure; it must be taken with unfailing regularity and continued for 4 weeks after the last exposure. No prophylactic regimen is 100% protective against infection, but even if it fails to prevent the disease it may, nevertheless, render the infection milder and less life-threatening.
This information is for guide purposes only. Other health organizations may recommend alternative precautions.
Vaccination against yellow fever required. On arrival, passengers have to present a valid e-yellow card with a valid vaccine.
For more information about Nigeria please click here.
Senegal
Vaccination against yellow fever required. On arrival, passengers have to present a valid e-yellow card with a valid vaccine.
For more information about Senegal please click here.
