Entry Requirements for Sal Island: Visas, EASE and Airport Tax

Arriving in Sal is usually straightforward, but there are several requirements that travellers should check before flying.

Depending on your nationality, length of stay and type of trip, you may need to consider:

• passport validity;
• visa requirements;
• EASE pre-registration;
• the Airport Security Tax;
• proof of accommodation;
• a return or onward ticket;
• and questions at passport control.

Most problems do not come from especially complicated rules. They come from assuming that the airline, travel agency or hotel has completed something that the traveller was expected to arrange personally.

Before travelling, check the requirements for your own passport rather than relying on advice written for another nationality.

Being allowed to board the aircraft and being admitted into Cabo Verde are related, but they are not exactly the same decision.

A smooth arrival in Sal usually begins several days before the flight, not when you reach passport control.

Quick overview of the main entry requirements

Entry rules can change, and airlines may apply document checks before allowing passengers to board. Always verify the current requirements with official Cabo Verdean sources, your airline and the relevant embassy or consulate.

Do you need a visa to visit Sal Island?

Sal is part of Cabo Verde, so there is no separate “Sal Island visa”. The immigration rules are the national entry rules of Cabo Verde.

Whether you need a visa depends mainly on:

• the passport you hold;
• the purpose of your trip;
• how long you plan to remain;
• and whether you intend to work, study or establish residence.

Citizens of several countries can visit Cabo Verde for a limited tourism stay without applying for a traditional visa in advance. However, visa exemption does not necessarily remove other requirements.

A visa-exempt visitor may still need to:

• complete EASE pre-registration;
• pay or account for the Airport Security Tax;
• show a return or onward journey;
• provide accommodation details;
• and demonstrate the purpose and duration of the visit.

Visa-free does not mean document-free.

Travellers who are not covered by a visa exemption should contact the nearest Cabo Verdean embassy or consulate before departure.

Do not assume that a visa can always be obtained after arrival. Rules may differ according to nationality, and an airline may refuse boarding when a passenger cannot prove that the necessary permission has been arranged.

Tourism is different from working or living in Cabo Verde

A short tourist visit does not normally authorise you to work in Cabo Verde.

Travellers planning to:

• accept employment;
• provide services locally;
• run a business from the island;
• study;
• join relatives;
• or remain for an extended period

may need a different visa, residence procedure or local authorisation.

Entering as a tourist with the intention of resolving everything later can create unnecessary uncertainty. The correct process depends on the individual situation and should be confirmed before travelling.

Visitors considering several weeks or months on the island should also read our practical guide to planning a long stay in Sal Island.

What is EASE registration?

EASE is Cabo Verde’s electronic platform for traveller pre-registration.

The system collects information that may include:

• your full name;
• passport details;
• nationality;
• date of birth;
• flight information;
• arrival date;
• place of accommodation;
• and contact details.

Where required, registration should be completed through the official EASE website before travel:

Official Cabo Verde EASE portal

Use the official government portal rather than an unofficial website that adds unnecessary processing or service fees.

When should you complete EASE?

Do not leave the registration until you are standing at the airport.

Complete it several days before departure whenever possible. This gives you time to:

• correct typing errors;
• check your passport number;
• confirm your accommodation address;
• resolve payment problems;
• and save the confirmation.

The recommended registration period and applicable exemptions can change, so confirm the current instructions on the official portal.

What information should match exactly?

The following details should match your passport and booking:

• first and family names;
• passport number;
• nationality;
• date of birth;
• passport expiry date;
• and flight information.

A missing accent or spacing difference may not always create a problem, but entering the wrong passport number, nationality or date can.

Check the form before submitting it. Administrative systems are rarely impressed by creative interpretation.

Should you print the EASE confirmation?

A printed copy is not always requested, but keeping evidence of registration is sensible.

Save:

• the confirmation page;
• the registration reference;
• the payment receipt, where applicable;
• and a screenshot or PDF available without internet access.

Do not rely exclusively on opening an email after landing. Mobile data may not yet be active, airport Wi-Fi may be slow and your battery may have chosen that exact moment to reconsider its purpose in life.

What is the Airport Security Tax?

Travellers arriving in Cabo Verde by air may be subject to an Airport Security Tax, often referred to by its Portuguese abbreviation, TSA.

This charge is separate from the question of whether you need a visa.

Depending on the journey and booking method, the tax may:

• already be included in the airline ticket;
• be included within a package holiday;
• be paid through the EASE process;
• or need to be handled separately.

Do not pay twice simply because two websites use different descriptions for what appears to be the same charge.

Before making a separate payment, check:

• your airline ticket breakdown;
• your tour operator’s documents;
• the official EASE portal;
• and any confirmation already issued.

The amount, payment process and exemptions may change. Verify them through the official portal before publication of travel plans or payment.

Who may be exempt?

Certain travellers may be exempt from the Airport Security Tax, depending on current regulations.

Possible exemptions can relate to circumstances such as:

• young children;
• passengers in transit;
• official travel;
• or specific residency and nationality situations.

Do not assume that an exemption applies without checking the official conditions. Age limits, transit definitions and documentary requirements matter.

How long should your passport be valid?

Your passport must remain valid for the period required by Cabo Verdean immigration authorities.

Passport-validity rules can be described differently by airlines, governments and booking platforms. Some refer to validity beyond the arrival date, while others advise travellers to maintain a longer margin beyond the intended departure.

The safest approach is to:

• check the current official requirement for your nationality;
• make sure the passport will remain valid well beyond the holiday;
• renew it before travel if the remaining validity is close to the minimum;
• and confirm that it has enough undamaged pages for immigration use.

A passport that expires soon may cause problems even when the planned holiday itself is short.

Check the condition of the passport

Validity is not only about the date.

A passport may be questioned if:

• the identity page is damaged;
• the photograph is difficult to recognise;
• pages are missing or torn;
• the cover has separated;
• or the electronic chip no longer works correctly.

Travelling with a badly damaged passport is an unnecessary gamble. Renew it before departure rather than asking an airline employee to decide whether it looks “damaged enough”.

Will you be asked for a return ticket?

Visitors may be asked to show a return or onward ticket.

This helps demonstrate that:

• the visit is temporary;
• you intend to leave within the permitted period;
• and your travel plans are consistent with the entry permission requested.

Your return flight does not normally have to be with the same airline that brought you to Sal.

A traveller could, for example:

• fly to Sal with one airline;
• leave Cabo Verde with another;
• or continue to another country rather than return directly home.

What matters is that the onward booking is genuine, confirmed and compatible with the period you are allowed to remain.

Keep the reservation:

• on your phone;
• available offline;
• and preferably as a PDF or printed copy.

Can you enter Sal with a one-way ticket?

A one-way ticket is not automatically illegal, but it can lead to additional questions when you are entering as a short-term visitor.

The airline or immigration officer may want to know:

• how long you intend to stay;
• why there is no departure booking;
• whether you hold residence rights;
• whether you have a long-stay visa;
• and how you intend to leave Cabo Verde.

A tourist relying on visa-free entry should not assume that “I will decide later” will satisfy every airline or border officer.

People moving to Cabo Verde, joining a company or applying for residence should carry the documents that explain their situation.

Will you need proof of accommodation?

You should be able to provide the address where you will stay, at least for the beginning of the trip.

Acceptable supporting documents may include:

• a hotel confirmation;
• an apartment reservation;
• a package-holiday document;
• or an invitation from a host, where applicable.

The document should ideally show:

• your name;
• the name of the accommodation or host;
• the address;
• the dates of the stay;
• and a contact number.

You do not necessarily need to remain in one hotel for the entire holiday. Travellers often divide their time between different accommodations, but they should be able to explain the initial plan.

Visitors still deciding between a resort, hotel or apartment can explore our Sal Island accommodation directory.

Can border officers ask how much money you have?

As with many international destinations, immigration officers may ask whether you have sufficient means to support yourself during the visit.

This does not mean every traveller will be required to display cash.

Evidence may include:

• bank cards;
• account information;
• prepaid accommodation;
• a package-holiday booking;
• cash;
• or financial support from a host or organisation.

The question is more likely to arise when other parts of the journey appear unclear, such as:

• having no accommodation;
• travelling on a one-way ticket;
• planning an unusually long stay;
• or giving inconsistent answers about the purpose of the trip.

For practical information about cards, cash and access to money after arrival, read our guide to cash, cards, ATMs and everyday payments in Sal Island.

What questions might you be asked at passport control?

Many visitors are admitted after a routine document check and a few basic questions.

You may be asked:

• Why are you visiting Cabo Verde?
• How long will you stay?
• Where are you staying?
• When are you leaving?
• Do you have a return ticket?
• Are you visiting anyone?
• Are you travelling for tourism, work or another purpose?

Answer clearly and honestly.

A short tourism visit should have a simple explanation:

• the purpose is tourism;
• the accommodation is known;
• the departure is booked;
• and the duration fits the entry permission.

Complicated or contradictory answers can turn a routine check into a longer conversation.

What documents should you carry?

Keep the following together in a physical or digital travel folder:

• passport;
• visa, when required;
• EASE confirmation;
• Airport Security Tax receipt, when paid separately;
• return or onward ticket;
• accommodation confirmation;
• travel insurance details;
• contact details for your hotel or host;
• and documents explaining a long stay, employment or residence process.

It is also sensible to keep:

• a photocopy of the passport identity page;
• a secure digital copy;
• your airline booking reference;
• and emergency contact information.

Do not store every copy in the same bag as the original passport.

Does travel insurance count as an entry requirement?

Travel insurance may not be checked routinely as an immigration document for every visitor, but travelling without suitable cover is still a poor saving.

A useful policy should be considered for:

• medical treatment;
• hospital care;
• medical evacuation;
• trip cancellation;
• lost or delayed luggage;
• and activities you intend to undertake.

Standard policies do not always cover:

• quad or buggy driving;
• kitesurfing;
• diving;
• boat activities;
• or incidents involving alcohol.

Read the exclusions rather than assuming that the word “travel” covers every decision made while travelling.

What happens if your flight or accommodation changes?

Minor changes do not necessarily invalidate your entire registration, but significant discrepancies should be reviewed.

Check whether you need to update or repeat information when:

• your passport is renewed;
• the passport number changes;
• your arrival date changes;
• you switch to a different flight;
• your first accommodation changes;
• or an error appears in the original registration.

Follow the instructions on the official EASE portal or contact the relevant authority when the system does not allow a correction.

What if the airline says your documents are incomplete?

Airlines are responsible for checking whether passengers appear to meet the destination’s entry requirements.

If the airline identifies a problem:

• remain calm;
• ask which specific requirement is missing;
• show the official confirmation or regulation;
• contact the airline’s document-support team if available;
• and avoid relying on screenshots from unofficial travel forums.

The person at the check-in desk may not be able to override the airline’s immigration database simply because another traveller says they entered without difficulty last month.

Another person’s experience is useful context. It is not your travel authorisation.

Common mistakes before flying to Sal

• Assuming that visa exemption means EASE is unnecessary.
• Using an unofficial registration website without noticing the extra fee.
• Entering the wrong passport number.
• Paying the Airport Security Tax twice.
• Leaving registration until the day of departure.
• Relying entirely on an email that cannot be opened offline.
• Travelling with a passport close to expiry.
• Having no accommodation address available.
• Arriving on a one-way ticket without documents explaining why.
• Assuming tourist entry automatically permits work or residence.

Most of these problems are preventable with twenty minutes of checking before the journey.

Before leaving for the airport

Use this final checklist:

• Passport: valid, undamaged and compliant with current rules.
• Visa: obtained when your nationality or purpose requires one.
• EASE: completed correctly when applicable.
• Airport Security Tax: confirmed as included, paid or exempt.
• Flight: booking reference and arrival information saved.
• Departure: return or onward ticket accessible.
• Accommodation: name, address and contact details available.
• Insurance: policy and emergency number saved.
• Copies: essential documents available offline.

Once the documents are organised, the next practical question is how much the trip will cost after arrival. Our guide to the real cost of a trip to Sal Island covers accommodation, meals, transport and activities.

Where should you verify the current rules?

Before travelling, consult:

• the official Cabo Verde EASE portal;
• the Cabo Verdean embassy or consulate responsible for your country;
• your own government’s official travel advice;
• and the airline operating your flight.

Check again shortly before departure, particularly if the trip was booked several months in advance.

Immigration rules, fees, exemptions and online systems can change. A travel article should help you understand the process, but an article cannot issue a visa or guarantee entry.

Which entry situation applies to you?

• Short tourism visit with visa exemption: check passport validity, EASE, Airport Security Tax, accommodation and departure booking.
• Nationality requiring a visa: obtain the correct permission before flying and confirm whether EASE also applies.
• One-way journey: carry documents explaining your onward travel, residence status or long-stay plan.
• Long stay: confirm the appropriate visa, extension or residence procedure rather than relying only on tourist admission.
• Work or business activity: verify the correct authorisation before starting any local activity.
• Package holiday: confirm which registrations and taxes the operator has completed on your behalf.

In summary

Entry to Sal Island is usually manageable when the basic documents are prepared in advance.

The main points are:

• check the validity and condition of your passport;
• confirm whether your nationality requires a visa;
• complete EASE pre-registration when applicable;
• check whether the Airport Security Tax is included or payable;
• carry accommodation and departure details;
• and make sure your documents match the true purpose of the journey.

A visa exemption does not remove every formality, and a successful online registration does not replace the final decision of the border authorities.

Verify the current rules before departure and keep the relevant documents available offline.

The best arrival is the uneventful one: valid passport, clear plans, accessible documents and nothing important left to airport Wi-Fi.