🇿🇦 South Africa visa requirements for Cape Verdian citizens
No visa needed — Cape Verdian citizens can stay in South Africa visa-free for up to 30 days.
Entry rules for Cape Verde passport holders
Holders of a valid passport from Cape Verde can travel to South Africa for tourism or short business trips without applying for a visa, for stays of up to 30 days. You'll typically just need a passport valid for at least six months beyond your arrival date, and you may be asked to show proof of onward travel or sufficient funds at the border.
The 30-day limit applies to the visit itself — if you plan to stay longer, work, or study in South Africa, you'll need to apply for the appropriate visa or permit before traveling.
Entry rules can change at short notice. Always confirm current requirements with the official South Africa immigration authority or your nearest embassy before booking.
How this compares
The Cape Verdian passport ranks #135 worldwide, opening 65 destinations without a visa arranged in advance (37 visa-free, 27 with a visa on arrival and 1 with an eTA). South Africa is one of them.
In the other direction, South African citizens traveling to Cape Verde face a different rule: visa on arrival.
Across Southern Africa as a whole, 3 of 6 destinations are open to Cape Verdian travelers without arranging a visa in advance.
About South Africa
- Capital
- Pretoria
- Region
- Southern Africa
- Currency
- South African rand (R)
- Languages
- Afrikaans, English, Southern Ndebele
Planning a trip to South Africa?
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Frequently asked questions
Do Cape Verdian citizens need a visa for South Africa?
No visa needed — Cape Verdian citizens can stay in South Africa visa-free for up to 30 days.
How long can Cape Verdian citizens stay in South Africa without a visa?
Cape Verdian citizens can stay in South Africa for up to 30 days visa-free. Longer stays require a visa or residence permit arranged in advance.
What currency is used in South Africa?
The currency in South Africa is the South African rand (R). The capital city is Pretoria.
Is this information up to date?
Current status: Visa-free · 30 days for Cape Verdian citizens traveling to South Africa. This page is built from the open Passport Index dataset, which was last updated on 2025-01-12. Visa rules can change between dataset updates, so always confirm with the South Africa embassy or immigration authority before booking.
More of Africa for Cape Verdian passport holders
Going the other way? Cape Verde visa requirements for South African citizens →
Source data last updated 2025-01-12.