Home » Costa Rica Travel News » Egypt Joins Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Jamaica, And Other Eighty-Nine Countries In Struggling With New Travel Restrictions As Cape Verde Ends Visas On Arrival Starting 2026
Published on
January 5, 2026
As of January 1, 2026, Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and other eighty-nine countries are facing significant travel obstacles as Cape Verde freezes its visa-on-arrival system. This major reform, which requires nationals from these countries to obtain a visa in advance from a Cape Verdean embassy or consulate, marks a shift from the previous system that allowed travelers to secure their visas upon arrival following online pre-registration and payment. The new policy aims to streamline entry procedures but has created travel disruptions, especially for tourists who now face additional hurdles and delays in their planning.
As of January 1, 2026, Cape Verde has implemented a major reform to its entry requirements, significantly impacting travelers from 96 countries. The country has put an end to the system that allowed nationals from these countries to obtain a visa upon arrival. In the past, many travelers could bypass the cumbersome visa application process by completing an online pre-registration and paying their visa-on-arrival fees through the Efficient Automatic and Safe Entry (EASE) portal. However, with the new regulations in place, travelers from the affected nations must now secure a visa before departure through Cape Verdean embassies or consulates. This shift has resulted in increased travel barriers for citizens from a wide range of countries, including Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.
The Shift in Cape Verde’s Entry System
Cape Verde’s decision to freeze visas on arrival comes after a decree issued in late 2025 (Decree No. 244/GMAI/2025), which formally outlines the change in the country’s entry rules. This decree specifies that nationals from the 96 affected countries can no longer rely on the previous system where they could obtain their visas upon arrival at one of Cape Verde’s airports. Instead, they now need to apply for visas ahead of time at Cape Verdean diplomatic missions.
For many international travelers, this change represents a significant shift in travel planning, as they are now required to complete consular procedures before their trips, which could involve longer waiting periods and additional costs. Travelers who fail to obtain their visa in advance could face denial of entry into Cape Verde, including denial of transit or stopover privileges.
What This Means for Affected Travelers
Travelers from the 96 countries that are now subject to the prior visa requirement face several hurdles. For one, the EASE portal, which was previously used for online payment of the visa-on-arrival fees, has been altered to reflect these new rules. When users select a country from the affected list, the portal now displays the message: “You must apply for a visa at the Embassies or consular offices of Cabo Verde. A valid visa is required upon arrival, under penalty of refusal of entry.”
While this change only affects the 96 countries, it has created significant travel disruptions. Nationals from these countries who were accustomed to the convenience of obtaining a visa on arrival will now face the additional step of contacting Cape Verdean embassies and consulates, which may involve longer wait times, higher costs, and more complex procedures.
Exemptions and Exceptions
The government of Cape Verde has, however, provided exemptions for certain categories of travelers. These include airline crew members, foreign residents in Cape Verde, holders of valid residence permits in European Union member states, and holders of certain diplomatic documents. Additionally, individuals born in Cape Verde who later acquired foreign nationality may also be exempt, though specific conditions apply.
The Role of the EASE Portal in Travel Planning
Despite the cancellation of visa-on-arrival services, all visitors, including those who are now required to secure a visa in advance, are still required to complete mandatory online registration through the EASE portal. This includes the payment of the Airport Security Tax (TSA), which amounts to approximately 3,400 Cape Verdean escudos for stays of up to 30 days. Visitors will still be able to make their TSA payment online, even if they must apply for a visa in advance.
In the past, visitors from affected countries who were required to pay for a 30-day tourist visa could do so on the EASE platform during their online registration. This option is now unavailable for travelers from the 96 countries subject to the new visa requirements.
Impact on Tourism and Travel Flows
The freeze on visas on arrival is likely to impact Cape Verde’s tourism sector. Although the country’s tourism industry has been growing in recent years, this change could deter potential visitors, especially from countries where obtaining a visa at a consulate could prove to be a long and expensive process. Cape Verde’s authorities may need to reconsider the impact of this change and work on simplifying the process for affected travelers to minimize disruptions to tourism.
The reform could also have unintended consequences for the broader travel industry, as international airlines and tour operators may need to adjust their offerings in response to the new regulations. Travel agents and airlines offering packages to Cape Verde may need to incorporate visa application processes into their services, adding a layer of complexity to their operations.
Affected Countries List
Below is a list of the 96 countries whose nationals are now required to apply for a visa before departure to Cape Verde, following the suspension of the visa-on-arrival system. This list includes a diverse range of countries from every continent, including Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.CountryCountryCountryAfghanistanGuatemalaPanamaAlgeriaGuyanaPapua New GuineaArmeniaHaitiParaguayAzerbaijanHondurasPeruBahrainIndiaPhilippinesBangladeshIndonesiaPuerto RicoBelarusIranRwandaBhutanIraqSamoaBoliviaJamaicaSomaliaBotswanaJordanSouth SudanBruneiKazakhstanSri LankaBurundiKiribatiSudanCambodiaKyrgyzstanSurinameCameroonLaosSyriaCentral African RepublicLebanonTaiwanChadLesothoTajikistanChileLibyaTanzaniaColombiaMadagascarTokelauComorosMalawiTongaCongoMauritaniaTrinidad and TobagoCosta RicaMexicoTunisiaDemocratic Republic of the CongoMongoliaTurkeyDjiboutiMyanmarTurkmenistanDominicaNamibiaTuvaluDominican RepublicNauruUgandaEcuadorNepalUzbekistanEgyptNicaraguaVanuatuEl SalvadorNorth KoreaVenezuelaEritreaOmanVietnamEswatiniPakistanYemenEthiopiaPalauZambiaGabonPalestineZimbabwe
Conclusion
Cape Verde’s decision to freeze visas on arrival for nationals of 96 countries represents a significant change to the country’s entry policy. This reform will impact a large number of international travelers, particularly those from nations such as Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, and Jamaica. These travelers will now need to plan ahead, apply for their visa through a Cape Verdean consulate or embassy, and make the necessary preparations before embarking on their trip.
While some categories of travelers remain exempt, the broader implications for tourism and travel flows to Cape Verde cannot be ignored. As the tourism sector adjusts to these new regulations, it will be crucial for both travelers and service providers to stay informed about the latest requirements and prepare accordingly. Cape Verde may need to re-evaluate the impact of these changes on its tourism industry and consider ways to streamline the visa application process for the affected nationalities to ensure continued growth in international travel to the islands.
Egypt, Mexico, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Zimbabwe, Costa Rica, Jamaica, and other eighty-nine countries are now facing travel obstacles as Cape Verde halts its visa-on-arrival system, requiring travelers to obtain visas in advance through embassies or consulates. This reform, effective from January 1, 2026, aims to tighten entry control but has disrupted the convenience previously offered by the EASE portal.
This shift may also influence how Cape Verde markets itself as a destination, potentially altering the landscape of international travel to the country in the coming years. It remains to be seen how these new visa requirements will affect Cape Verde’s appeal as a tourist destination, but it is clear that travelers from a wide range of countries will need to navigate the new process as they plan their visits.
