Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Cabo Verde

Cabo Verde
Republic of Cabo Verde

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
 
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 60 Months
B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1 None Multiple 60 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 60 Months
C-2 None Multiple 60 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
C-W-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
C-W-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 60 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None N/A N/A3
H-2B None N/A N/A3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 60 Months
L-2 None Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 None Multiple 60 Months
R-2 None Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
T-D 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

Please check back for update.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth

 

Available

Fees:  There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Certidao de Nascimento

Issuing Authority: Depends on location

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computerized certificate with either a black or blue ink seal on the back or a raised seal.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Birth certificates are acquired from the following offices -

  • Santo Antao, Sal, Fogo, and Santiago (Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz and Tarrafel): Conservatoria dos Registros Civil
  • Sao Nicolau (Ribeira Brava and Tarrafel), Boa Vista, Maio, and Brava: Delegacao dos Servicos de Registro, Notariado e Identificacao

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Older certificates may be handwritten and require a seal on the back in black or blue ink or a raised seal

Exceptions: There are no exceptions

Comments: None

 

Death/Burial

 

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Certidao de Obito

Issuing Authority: Depends on location

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computerized certificate with either a black or blue ink seal on the back or a raised seal.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Death certificates are acquired from the following offices -

  • Santo Antao, Sal, Fogo, and Santiago (Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz and Tarrafel): Conservatoria dos Registros Civil
  • Sao Nicolau (Ribeira Brava and Tarrafel), Boa Vista, Maio, and Brava: Delegacao dos Servicos de Registro, Notariado e Identificacao

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Older certificates may be handwritten and require a seal on the back in black or blue ink or a raised seal.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage
 

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Certidao de Casamento

Issuing Authority: Depends on location

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computerized certificate with either a black or blue ink seal on the back or a raised seal.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Marriage certificates are acquired from the following offices -

  • Santo Antao, Sal, Fogo, and Santiago (Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz and Tarrafel): Conservatoria dos Registros Civil
  • Sao Nicolau (Ribeira Brava and Tarrafel), Boa Vista, Maio, and Brava: Delegacao dos Servicos de Registro, Notariado e Identificacao

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Older certificates may be handwritten and require a seal on the back in black or blue ink or a raised seal.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Divorce

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Certidao do Divorcio

Issuing Authority: Conservatoria dos Registos

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computerized certificate with either a black or blue ink seal on the back or a raised seal.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Divorce Certificates (Certidao do Divorcio) are issued by the Conservatoria dos Registos on the island where the divorce was decreed.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Older certificates may be handwritten and require a seal on the back in black or blue ink or a raised seal.

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Certidao de Adopcao

Issuing Authority: Depends on location – see Procedure for Obtaining

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals/color/formats

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Adoption decrees are granted by district courts depending on the island the adoption was granted

  • Santiago (Praia) or Sao Vicente (Mindelo) – Tribunal de Familia e Menores da Comarca
  • All other islands – Tribunal da Comarca

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Identity Card

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Bilhete de Identidade

Issuing Authority: Depends on location – see Procedure for Obtaining

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seals/color/formats

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should request identity cards in their place of birth or current residence.

  • Santiago (Praia), Brava and Maio - Arquivo Nacional Identificacao Civil e Criminal in Santiago (Praia)
  • Sao Vicente, Santo Antao, Boa Vista, and Sao Nicolau - Arquivo Nacional Identificacao Civil e Criminal in Sao Vicente
  • Sal, Fogo, and Santiago (Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, and Tarrafal) - Conservatoria/Cartorio
  • Santiago (Sao Domingos, Calheta Sao Miguel) and Fogo (Mosteiros) - Delegacao dos Servicos de Registo, Notariado e Identificacao

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Certificado de Registo Criminal

Issuing Authority: Depends on location – see Procedure for Obtaining

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computerized certificate

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: An applicant should request a police certificate from the location they were born, currently reside, or previously resided

  • Santiago (Praia) and Sao Vicente - Arquivo Nacional Identificacao Civil e Criminal
  • Santo Antao, Sal, Fogo, and Santiago (Santa Catarina, Santa Cruz, and Tarrafal) - Conservatoria/Cartorio
  • Santo Antao (Porto Novo and Paul), Sao Nicolau (Ribeira Brava and Tarrafal), Boa Vista, Maio, Santiago (Sao Domingos and Calheta Sao Miguel), Fogo (Mosteiros), and Brava - Delegacao dos Servicos de Registo, Notariado e Identificacao
  • All islands - Conservatoria Registos e Cartorio Notarial or Casa do Cidadão
  • Applicants living in any other location - Must request a Certificado do Registo Criminal through a legal representative, relative, or other interested party at the office for their former place of residence. Authorities do not process these requests by mail

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: Sao Vicente continues to use the pre-printed handwritten form with the heading of Conservatoria dos Registos until they exhaust their stock.

Exceptions: None

Comments: Complete criminal records pertaining to foreigners before independence (July 5, 1975) were transferred to Lisbon and must be obtained through Portuguese authorities.

 

Court Records

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name:  Certidao de Sentenca

Issuing Authority: Depends on location – see Procedure for Obtaining

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: There are no special seal(s)/color/formats

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Court records may be obtained by the court having jurisdiction over the matter.

  • Santiago (Praia) and Sao Vicente (Mindelo) - Tribunal de Execucao de Penas
  • All other locations - Tribunal da Comarca

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: None

 

Prison Records

Unavailable

 

Military Records

Available

Fees: There may be a fee for this service

Document Name: Certidão Militar

Issuing Authority: Ministerio da Defesa Nacional

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Computerized certificate with either a black or blue ink seal or a raised seal.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no specific issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants should contact the Estado Maior das Forcas Armadas, Seccao de Pessoal e Justica, located in either Santiago (Praia) or Sao Vicente (Mindelo)

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are not available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate document

Exceptions: None

Comments: Male applicants between the ages of 18 to 35 are required to present their Certidão Militar at the time of their immigrant visa interview, even if they have not served in the military.

Other Records

Certificate of Residence

Available. The City Hall (Camara Municipal) in the zone of the applicant's residence issues the Attestation of Residence (Atestado de Residencia). This document may be issued to Cabo Verdean citizens and to foreign nationals.

Education

Schools and universities in Cabo Verde issue transcripts of grades and certificates/diplomas of completion.  These documents are generally considered reliable.  To verify the legitimacy of school records in question, it is necessary to contact the office of the director or administration of the school involved.  High school diplomas are issued after passing either internal high school completion tests or a general national standard high school completion test.  It is possible to later take a high school equivalency exam after dropping out of high school.  In some cases someone who does not have a high school diploma may be able to enter into university studies if they have technical or other training that is determined by the university to be equivalent to a high school diploma.  Entrance to public universities is regulated through a mandatory exam for all students, while private universities have varying entrance standards and some do not require an entrance exam.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Embassy

Address:  Rua Abilio Macedo 6
                  Praia, Cabo Verde

Phone Number:  (238) 260-8900   Fax: (238) 261-1355

Email Address: PraiaConsular@state.gov

Visa Services: All visas for Cabo Verde

Comments / Additional Information: None

Visa Services

All visa categories for all of Cabo Verde.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.