- Cape Verde removes visa-on-entry for 96 nations, such as Nigeria, enhancing immigration regulations
- New rules require visas to be obtained through embassies, implementing more rigorous background screenings and interviews.
- The tourism and transportation sector could experience interruptions because of updated access rules and enhanced compliance measures.
Pascal Oparada is a reporter with Ants.ng spanning areas such as technology, energy, stock markets, investments, and the economy for more than ten years.
Cape Verde has discontinued its visa-on-arrival scheme for nationals from 96 countries, such as Nigeria, as part of a broad revision of its immigration regulations designed to enhance border control and improve passenger verification processes.
The new regulations introduced through Decree-Law No. 13/2025 and Decree No. 244/GMAI/2025, eliminates both the visa upon arrival mechanism and the Electronic Airport Security Tax (EASE) online entry system for specific nationalities. Rather, qualified travelers are required to secure a visa at a Cape Verdean embassy or consular office prior to traveling.
Nigerians and others encounter an updated visa procedure
Nigerian travelers will now find that unplanned visits to the island country can no longer be facilitated via airport-assigned visas or digital pre-screening processes.
Alternatively, candidates are required to go through the visa procedure at an embassy, where officials state that more rigorous background screenings and identification confirmation procedures, such as compulsory face-to-face meetings, will take place prior to granting authorization.
As per the Directorate of Foreigners and Borders (DEF) of Cape Verde, these changes aim to strengthen border management, boost homeland safety, and limit unauthorized movement.
Authorities stated that the earlier system, which enabled travelers to gain access via the EASE portal or receive visas when arriving at specific airports, was no longer sufficient according to the nation's revised approach to managing borders.
Tougher border controls
Cape Verde stated that the policy aligns with an overall worldwide movement towards more stringent immigration regulations and enhanced identification checks for travelers from abroad.
Under the revised regulations Travelers who arrive without a properly stamped valid visa in their passport may be denied access, expelled right away, or forced to cover the entire expense of returning to their originating country.
The authorities cautioned that airlines and tour providers must also adhere rigorously to the updated regulations by verifying that travelers have proper visas prior to embarking on journeys to the nation.
The tourism and hospitality sector might experience consequences The travel industry could face repercussions The leisure and mobility sectors may be affected The global tourism landscape could encounter challenges Travel-related businesses might suffer effects The field of international travel could see changes Leisure and tourist activities might be influenced Businesses involved in traveling could notice impacts The movement of people for recreation purposes might be impacted Activities related to visiting different places could face difficulties
Experts in the industry think the new regulations might influence tourist movements, air transport activities, and spontaneous travel plans, especially for travelers who used to benefit from visa-on-arrival options for both work-related and vacation purposes.
Stricter visa regulations are anticipated to affect most travelers from regions including Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Europe, Oceania, and the Americas who previously took advantage of Cape Verde's easier access system, as stated in a report by the Nigerian Tribune.
Countries affected
The updated rules affect 96 nations spread over four different areas.
Several countries in Africa have been impacted, such as Nigeria, Algeria, Cameroon, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Libya, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Tunisia, along with other regions.
The list includes 31 nations across Asia and the Middle East, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, and Yemen.
Several nations in the Americas and the Caribbean, including Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Panama, and Venezuela, experience these effects, whereas Belarus along with various Pacific island states fall within the categories of Europe and Oceania.
The newest immigration update represents one of the major adjustments to Cape Verde's border policies in recent times. It indicates a move towards stricter evaluation of foreign travelers prior to their arrival in the nation.
U.S. introduces $750 expedited visa interview process for Nigerian citizens
Ants.ng previously mentioned that the United States has launched a new premium visa interview service which enables Nigerians and other international travelers applying for business or tourist visas to obtain interview slots within 10 working days by paying an extra charge of $750.
A newly introduced program, revealed by the U.S. Department of State through a publication in the Federal Register on June 9, offers an accelerated option for individuals applying for B1/B2 visas.
As per a statement from TheCable, the high-end service will be available exclusively at certain U.S. embassies and consulates, even though authorities have not revealed which specific sites will offer it.
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