Cape Verde government regrets US bond requirement for tourist and business visas

The government of Cape Verde has expressed its regret at the decision by the United States of America to include the country in a list of 38 nations whose citizens will now be subject to a security deposit of up to 15,000 US dollars in order to obtain tourist and business visas.

According to the Cape Verdean Executive, the measure could restrict mobility between the two countries and results from the high number of citizens who, after entering the US on temporary visas, end up staying beyond the legally authorized period, incurring in a situation of irregular immigration, a practice known as overstay.

Data from the United States Department of Homeland Security Report for 2024 indicates that Cape Verde had an overstay rate of 13.26% on tourist and business visas. This figure represents a worsening compared to 2013, when the rate was 12.41%, and is higher than that of several other countries analyzed.

The government stresses that this situation stems from individual behavior and is not related to government actions. Nevertheless, it recalls that it has made repeated appeals, both in Cape Verde and to the emigrant community in the United States, for visitors to strictly respect US migration laws, as well as for residents to avoid facilitating or encouraging illegal stays.

The Executive once again appeals to the sense of responsibility of Cape Verdean citizens traveling to the US, arguing that a substantial reduction in the rate of overstay is fundamental if Cape Verde is to be removed from this list in a forthcoming assessment by the Department of Homeland Security.