Welcome to the Consular Section of the American Embassy in Praia

Visa Services

(Versao em Português)

General Information about Visas to the United States

Millions of foreign visitors travel to the U.S. each year. Others come to live in the U.S. permanently.  International visitors and immigrants add greatly to our nation’s cultural, education and economic life. We welcome them. At the same time, we need to do everything we can to keep everyone here, safe. We believe in secure borders and open doors.  A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.  For general Information about Visas to enter the United States please the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Website: General Visa Information

Temporary Visitors (Non-Immigrant Visas)

If you wish to visit the United States temporarily you will need a non-immigrant visa.   There are many types of non-immigrant visas depending on one’s reason for traveling to the U.S.  For general information on non-immigrant visas for the U.S. as well as the various the types of non-immigrant visas, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Website: Temporary Visitors

If you are ready to apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Praia, Cape Verde, please see the section below: How to Apply for Non-Immigrant Visa at the U.S. Embassy Praia, Cape Verde.                                Top

Students and Exchange Visitors

Every year many thousands of visitors come to the U.S. to study.  There are special applicant requirements for studying in the U.S. so visitors should plan ahead before applying for a student visa. To find out more about how to apply for a visa to pursue studies in the U.S. visit: Student Visas

Journalists

If you are a journalist and you wish to come to the U.S. for your work, be sure to review the rules governing: Media visas.                               Top

Visa Waiver Program

Temporary Visitors from certain countries may travel to the U.S. without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  Visitors must not only be citizens of a Visa Waiver country they must also meet the requirements of the program.  To determine if you might qualify to travel to the U.S. under the VWP, please visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Website: VWP                                                                             Top

Visa Appointments:

The U.S. Embassy in Praia operates on a visa appointment system. All applicants must have an interview (appointment) with a Consular Officer, with the exception of drop-box applicants. Applicants often ask how long it takes to get an appointment.  The Consular Section at U.S. Embassy Praia schedules appointments on the earliest possible date available.  To learn how to schedule an appointment see the section on  How to Apply for Non-Immigrant Visa at the U.S. Embassy Praia, Cape Verde .  Below are estimates for the average amount of time an applicant might wait to be scheduled for an appointment.                                                  Top

Average Appointment Wait Time

·         Business/Pleasure visitors (B1/B2) visas: 3 weeks

·         Student (F, M) or exchange visitor (J) visas: 2 weeks or less

·         All other non-immigrant types of visas: 3 weeks

Please Note: Many factors can impact when an applicant can be scheduled for an interview.  The most important factor is peak travel time.  Since most people in Cape Verde vacation at the same time (July, August, September and around the Christmas Holiday season) the appointment calendar can backup several weeks (up to six weeks in some cases).  To avoid this problem the Embassy encourages applicants to plan ahead and to apply for their visas well in advance of their travel.  Applicants can apply many months before traveling. In other words, some one wishing to travel during the summer holidays may apply as early as January, February or March to avoid the busy summer appointment rush.  Also it is important to consider that it may take several days even weeks in certain cases for the Consular Officer to reach a decision on a case.                                                          Top

Average Processing Time: The Average Amount of Time to Reach a Decision

·         Business/Pleasure visitors (B1/B2) visas: Same Day

·         Student (F, M) or exchange visitor (J) visas: 1-5 Days

·         All other non-immigrant types of visas: 3 weeks

In most non-immigrant visa cases the Consular Officer will decide the case on the day of the visa interview (appointment).  Applicants whose cases are approved can usually receive their visa the same day as their interview. 

Please Note: All applicants should be aware that the times given above are averages.  The processing time of a specific case can vary due to individual circumstances and other special requirements. In certain cases a Consular Officer may not be able to reach a decision immediately.  Sometimes the Consular Officer needs additional information from the applicant, other times the case requires additional administrative processing. In either situation, applicants are encouraged to be patient.  A member of the Consular Section staff will contact an applicant as soon as a final decision is made on a case or if the Consular Officer needs additional information.  Again planning ahead by applying several months before you intend to travel is highly recommended.                                                                             Top

How to Apply for a Non-Immigrant Visa at the U.S. Embassy Praia, Cape Verde

To schedule an interview applicants must complete the following steps:

1. Pay the non-refundable non-immigrant visa processing fee of $100.00 (or the equivalent amount in CV Escudos) at any Banco Commercial do Atlantico (BCA) in Cape Verde.

2. Call 260-0746 any Thursday from 2:00pm – 4:30pm to receive an appointment date. When an applicant calls, he/she must present the following information: first and last name, passport number, BCA receipt number, and payment date.  For applicants calling from overseas wishing to schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy Cape Verde remember to dial the country-code 238 for Cape Verde prior to the phone number.  While applicants from overseas are not expected to have BCA receipt number, overseas applicants are still expected to pay the non-refundable non-immigrant visa processing fee of $100.00 before their interview.

3. Once the above information is submitted, the applicant is given the next available appointment date. Appointments are normally scheduled on Mondays and Tuesdays from 8:15am – 12:30pm and 1:30pm – 3:00pm. We suggest you schedule an appointment as soon as possible after paying the processing fees at the bank as the bank receipt expires after 60 days.

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Preparing for Your Interview

Applicants should arrive at the Embassy at least 15 minutes before their interview time. Each applicant should be prepared to present a completed application form along with the necessary documents. Failure to do so could result in the delay of issuance or refusal of the visa.

All applicants must apply in person including children.

During your interview, applicants MUST present the following documents to the consular officer:  

a.      A completed and signed application (Form DS-156). Men from the age of 16-45 must also complete Form DS-157. Persons wishing to study must present Form OF-156, Form DS-158, Form I-20, ISEC number from school and the applicant must demonstrate the ability to speak English.  The easiest way to complete the application is via the Electronic Visa Application Form.  

b.      One (1) recent passport photograph, 1.5 inches square, for each applicant including minor children and infants. Photographs should be no more than 6 months old. Every applicant must have a full front face photo. Do not staple on the head or face of photograph.  

c.      A passport valid at least six months beyond your expected arrival date. (Persons who are not citizens of Cape Verde should present their residence permits or passport with the applicant’s Cape Verdean residence visa).  

d.      The Non-immigrant visa processing fee receipt issued by Banco Comercial do Atlantico.  

U. S. law requires that your eligibility for a non-immigrant visitor’s visa be determined on the basis of strong, well-established ties to a residence outside the United States, as well as on the basis of reasonable, credible plans for your visit to the United States. The consular officer’s decision is not made on the basis of any one single fact or document. The officer might ask to see one or more of the following documents:  

a.      A current letter of employment showing job title, length of service and monthly salary.  

b.      Bank statement going back 6 months.  

c.      Current letters of invitation from American friends, relatives or companies.  

d.      A current trade license and current audited financial statements for the past two years showing status of business.  

e.      Passports of any immediate family members not traveling with the applicants.  

If your application is approved, you should be able to pick up your passport with the visa the same day.

Please do not fax or mail documents to the Embassy. The Embassy will not accept responsibility for documents that have been faxed or mailed in support of a visa application.                                                         Top

Drop Box Process

A Drop Box process is available for A and G visa applicants. However, A-3 and G-5 applicants cannot use the drop-box process.  People that qualify for the Drop Box may deposit their completed visa application with the Consular Section every Monday from 8:00am until 9:00am. A and G visa applicants who qualify for the Drop Box must provide the following: 

a. A completed and signed application (Form OF-156). Men from the age of 16-45 should also complete a form DS-157. 

b. One (1) recent passport photograph, 1.5 inches square, for each applicant including minor children and infants. Photographs should be no more than 6 months old. Every applicant must have a full front face photo. Do not staple on the head or face of photograph. 

c. A passport valid at least six months beyond your expected arrival date. (Persons who are not a resident of Cape Verde should present their residence permits or passport with the applicant’s Cape Verdean residence visa).