US Reduces Visa Validity for Cape Verdeans as of July 7
As of July 7, 2025, the US has limited the validity of non-immigrant visas for Cape Verdean citizens to three months with a single entry, based on Executive Order 14161. The measure aims to strengthen control over abuses in the immigration system.
Praia, July 7, 2025 - The United States Embassy in Cape Verde has announced an important change in the rules for issuing visas to Cape Verdean citizens. As of this Monday, July 7, 2025, non-immigrant visas issued to Cape Verdean citizens will be valid for a maximum of three months, with only one entry permitted into US territory.
The measure was adopted by the US State Department under Executive Order 14161, which aims to strengthen security mechanisms and combat abuses in the immigration system. According to the official note, this change "strengthens our ability to detect and prevent abuses in the immigration system", signaling a stricter stance in the granting of temporary entry permits.
Previously, Cape Verdean citizens could obtain visas with longer validity and multiple entries. However, with the new guideline, stay and travel will be significantly limited, impacting mainly students, tourists and business travelers.
The embassy stressed that the visa reciprocity policy is continually reviewed and is subject to change at any time by the State Department, depending on criteria such as reciprocal treatment given to US citizens by other countries.
The US authorities did not indicate for how long this restriction would be in force, but confirmed that further changes could occur in the future, depending on the evaluation of the effectiveness of the measure and the bilateral relationship with Cape Verde.
The decision could directly affect the international mobility of Cape Verdeans who have family, professional or educational ties with the United States. The Cape Verdean government has yet to officially comment on the change.
