As of June 12, 2022, CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight. For more information, see Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country.

U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents, and those traveling to the United States on immigrant visas do not need to provide proof of vaccination.

However, non-U.S. citizens traveling on non-immigrant visas must be fully vaccinated with the primary series of an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to travel to the United States. If you are a non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrant and not fully vaccinated, you will not be allowed to board a flight to the United States. Only limited exceptions apply to the requirement to show proof of vaccination. A booster dose is not needed to meet this requirement.

The Embassy accepts passport appointments for U.S. citizens with less than six months validity remaining on their passport in addition to those with expired or lost/stolen passports. The Embassy also accepts appointments for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBAs). To request an American Citizen Services appointment, including notarial services, please use the Embassy’s online appointment system.  These services are provided on Mondays. Do not request an appointment for a service other than what you need. This will affect other people also needing services. If you cannot honor your appointment, let us know more than 48 hours before your appointment date/time by cancelling (or rescheduling) on the system or emailing us at PraiaConsular@state.gov.

U.S. citizens in Cabo Verde are encouraged to register themselves in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so that the State Department may inform them of critical information and assist them in an emergency.

Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs)

LPRs whose card (“green card”) is lost or stolen may apply for a boarding foil if they have been outside the United States for less than one year. Learn more about options for LPRs with an expired or lost green card here. LPRs who have remained outside of the United States for more than one year may not apply for boarding foils, they will require an SB-1 (returning resident) visa. The requirements and fees for an SB-1 visa can be found here. To make an appointment for either service, please email PraiaConsular@state.gov.

Immigrant Visas

The Embassy offers immigrant visa (IV) appointments for those with immigrant petitions already approved by United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.  Please be aware that all immigrant visa petitions must begin in the United States.  For more information on the immigrant visa process, please visit our website.

Once USCIS has approved your petition and you have completed pre-processing with the National Visa Center (NVC), or if you have been selected in the Diversity Visa Lottery and completed processing with the Kentucky Consular Center (KCC), review the instructions given to you by the NVC or the KCC, along with the information presented on this website, for further guidance and instructions.

Please understood that there is backlog of cases at this time.  The Embassy cannot give an estimate on when a particular case will be ready for interview.  For further inquiries, please write to PraiaConsularIV@state.gov and include as much information as possible in your request.

Nonimmigrant Visas

The Embassy offers nonimmigrant visa (NIV) appointments for those wishing to enter the United States for a limited time.  Visa applicants must schedule their interviews using our online appointment system.

What can you bring with you when visiting the U.S. Embassy?

For security reasons American Citizen Services customers and visa clients are not allowed to bring any luggage, large bags, cell phones, laptops, tablets, or other electronic devices, or any items that are not relevant to your business with the embassy (with the exception of one small purse, backpack, briefcase or items to care for babies).

Personal laptops and larger electrical/electronic devices are prohibited. You will not be permitted entry if you are in possession of a laptop or larger electrical/electronic device. If you have prohibited items with you, you will not be allowed to enter the Embassy and may need to reschedule your appointment.

The following items are NOT permitted in the Embassy:

• Cameras
• Cell phones*
• Laptops
• Any other electronics, such as MP3 players, iPods, etc.
• Large bags
• Luggage
• Tools of any size, such as a Leatherman, or Swiss army knife
• Weapons of any kind
• Drinks
• Food

All visitors to the Embassy are subject to airport-type screening. When planning your visit here, bring only what is needed for your business with the Consular Section to speed security screening. All items are subject to inspection and your wait time at the Embassy depends on the items you and other visitors bring. We do not have storage facilities at the Embassy.

*Cellphones cannot be kept by security guards upon entering the customer screening area. You will have to find a place to store or someone to keep for you before entering the Embassy. Security guards or other embassy staff cannot assist you with keeping or storing your phone.

We appreciate your cooperation in making your visit to the Embassy as smooth as possible.

Applicants Only: Only persons seeking consular services who have made an appointment will be admitted to the Embassy or Consulate. All requests to add names of persons for appointments (witnesses, persons accompanying a disabled person etc.) must be submitted prior to your visit.

We are not accepting walk-in customers at this time.  American Citizen Services customers may drop off documents for processing of their passports or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad on Mondays at 11am.  Please bring the information request letter you were given asking for this information. Customers needing to pick up their passports or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad may also come on Mondays at 11am. Please be sure to bring your payment receipt for such service. Third parties may also drop off and/or pick up if they are in possession of the right document (information request letter or payment receipt, as applicable).

All other customers (immigrants and nonimmigrants) may come in on Thursdays at 10am to deliver documents. Please make sure you bring the information request letter you were given with your case number.  Those who need to pick up their passports with their visas, may do so on Thursdays at 10am. Third parties may also drop off and/or pick up if they are in possession of the right document (information request letter or ticket, as applicable).

Yes.  Citizens are not permitted to travel without a valid passport.  The Embassy accepts passport appointments for U.S. citizens with less than six months validity remaining on their passport.  For more information regarding what documents to bring, please visit our website for information regarding the application process for passports. The State Department’s website also has information on passports. If all paperwork is in order at the time of the appointment, the new U.S. passport should be available for pick-up in approximately three weeks.

Emergency U.S. passports are issued only in extraordinary circumstances.  Please be aware that the rules for emergency passport issuance are strict, and a consular officer will determine if your situation meets the standard for an emergency.

Appointment (write to PraiaConsular@state.gov with responses to questions below)

• Why do you have need of an emergency passport? If you were victim of a crime, please provide police report.
• When are you planning on traveling? Please provide your itinerary.
• Which days/times can you come to the embassy? Give us at least two options unless you are traveling the next day. We will try our best to accommodate you.

Forms

Complete online and print Form DS-11. If your passport was lost or stolen, complete online and print Form DS-64 (Tip: If you have had an identity document lost or stolen, go to the Dept. Of Justice’s suggestions for suggestions on protecting yourself from identity theft).

If you never had a U.S. Social Security Number, you will be required to fill out and submit a signed declaration where you declare under penalty of perjury that you (or your minor child) have (has) never been issued a Social Security number by the Social Security Administration (Tip: If you do not remember your U.S. Social Security Number, please contact the Federal Benefit Unit before applying for the passport.)

Supporting Documents

Citizenship: Submit previous U.S. passport (if available) and certified U.S. birth certificate or Consular Report of Birth Abroad or Certificate of Naturalization or Certificate of Citizenship.

Identity: U.S. passport card or non-U.S. passport and/or U.S Driver’s License and other copies or originals of any/all photo IDs you still have.

Proof of citizenship may also serve to meet identity document requirement in some cases, especially for minors.

Photo:

One color 2×2-inch photo (5x5cm). Click here for photos requirements.

Payment

Pay the fee of 135 USD for children or 165 USD for adults (or the escudo equivalent) at the time of your interview, in cash or by credit card (the credit card holder must be present with a valid Government photo ID).

Processing Time: Same Day

As U.S. citizen parent(s), you should report your child’s birth abroad as soon as possible to the U.S. Embassy to establish an official record of the child’s claim to U.S. citizenship at birth. The official record will be the Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA), Form FS-240 which is a basic United States citizenship document.  Please review the subsequent pages on how to Report Birth Abroad, Eligibility for a CRBA, and Transmission of Citizenship for detailed instructions.

A Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA) is evidence of United States citizenship issued to a child born abroad to a U.S. citizen parent or parents who meet the requirements for transmitting citizenship under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).  A CRBA application must be made before the child’s 18th birthday, and we recommend that the parents apply for the CRBA as soon as possible after the child’s birth if they wish to transmit their U.S. citizenship.  Parents may apply for a first-time U.S. passport (Form DS-11) and a U.S. Social Security number (Form SS-5) for their child at the same time as applying for the CRBA.  A child born overseas to one or more U.S. citizen parents must have a CRBA as evidence of U.S. citizenship to apply for a U.S. passport.

For applicants older than age 18 who have never been issued a CRBA, please contact the Embassy at PraiaConsular@state.gov for assistance.

Please make an appointment online to apply for a CRBA at the U.S. Embassy in Praia. Given the detailed paperwork requirements, we ask that parents email the completed, unsigned Form DS-2029 (application for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad) application and photocopies of your supporting documents to PraiaConsular@state.gov at least one week before your scheduled appointment.  Your application will not be adjudicated at that time, but we will notify you if your Form DS-2029 is incomplete or if you need to bring additional documentation to your interview.  The fee for a CRBA is US $100 (with an additional passport fee of US $135 if also applying for a passport).  All fees are nonrefundable.

At your scheduled appointment, both parents must come in person with the child and bring the following required documents:

Application Forms (Complete but do not sign, as these documents must be signed in front of a Consular Officer):

• Consular Report of Birth Abroad application (Form DS-2029) (see How to Complete the CRBA Application in the side bar)
• First-time passport application (Form DS-11) (optional)
• Application for Social Security number (Form SS-5) (optional), to request a Social Security number for the child.
• If only one parent will appear for the interview,the absent parent must complete Form DS-3053.  The DS-3053 should be signed in front of a notary and the other parent must bring the original, notarized document to the interview.
• If the U.S. citizen parent is unable to appear for the interview, that parent should also complete Form DS-5507listing the periods of time they spent in the United States.  The DS-5507 should be signed in front of a notary and the other parent must bring the original, notarized document to the interview.

Original Documents:

• Child’s original birth certificate
• Parents’ original passports or Government-issued IDs (at least one parent must present a U.S. passport or Certificate of Naturalization)
• Original or certified copy of the parents’ marriage certificate and/or proof of the termination of any previous marriages (death or divorce certificates); if applicable
• One recent, color  2×2 inches (5×5 cm) photograph with plain white background and no dates on the picture

Supporting Documentation:

• Sufficient evidence of the U.S. citizen parent’s physical presence in the United States to transmit citizenship (see Transmitting Citizenship for requirements and documentation examples), as well as physical presence in Cabo Verde.
• Photos showing the child’s development if the child is not an infant
• Copies of previously-issued CRBAs for other children by one or more of the applying parents

Fees (cash only – US dollars or Cabo Verdean escudos – all fees are nonrefundable):

• CRBA fee of US $100;
• Passport fee of US $135, (passport is optional)

Additional Information

• CRBAs and passports are printed in the United States and take approximately three to four weeks to arrive at the U.S. Embassy in Praia. Please consider this timeline when applying for CRBAs and passports.  Consular staff will call the local phone number listed on the application to schedule a date to pick-up the printed CRBA (and passport, if applicable).
• All original documents will be returned to the parents.  Copies will be certified and included with the final report of birth when it is submitted to the U.S. Department of State for permanent record keeping.
• One official Consular Report of Birth Abroad certificate will be provided by U.S. Embassy Praia.  Additional CRBA copies are not available from the Embassy and must be requested directly from the Department of State in Washington, D.C.  You may replace, amend, or request additional copiesof a CRBA at any time.

Transmission of U.S. citizenship depends on:

1. At least one parent with United States citizenship at the time of the child’s birth;
2. Evidence of a blood relationship between the child and U.S. citizen parent(s); AND
3. Documentary evidence demonstrating the U.S. citizen parent(s)’ presence in the United States prior to the child’s birth, as specified in the Transmission Requirements Table below.

All physical presence in the United States prior to the applicant child’s birth should be reported on the CRBA application (see How to Complete the CRBA Application for detailed instructions).

Transmission Requirements Table

	A child born in Cabo Verde may be entitled to U.S. citizenship IF:
Child born IN wedlock to two U.S. citizens:	One of the parents had, prior to the birth of the child, been resident in the United States or one of its outlying possessions.  No specific period of time is required.
Child born IN wedlock to one U.S. citizen parent and one non–U.S. citizen parent on or after November 14, 1986	The U.S. citizen parent had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after s/he reached the age of fourteen.
Child born OUT OF wedlock to a U.S. citizen FATHER and non-U.S. citizen mother on or after November 14, 1986	The U.S. citizen father had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after he reached the age of fourteen.  In addition, a U.S. citizen father must acknowledge paternity and agree in writing to provide financial support for the child until s/he reaches the age of 18 years (on the DS-2029 or DS-5507).
Child born OUT OF wedlock to a U.S. citizen MOTHER between November 14, 1986 and June 11, 2017.	The U.S. citizen mother had been physically present in the United States for a continuous period of at least one year (365 days) at some time prior to the birth of the child.
Child born OUT OF wedlock to a U.S. citizen MOTHER after June 12, 2017.	The U.S. citizen mother had been physically present in the United States or one of its outlying possessions for five years, at least two years of which were after she reached the age of fourteen.

NOTE: All periods of residence or physical presence must have taken place prior to the birth of the child.

Examples of Documentation

Some examples of documentary evidence which may be considered to demonstrate that physical presence requirements have been met may include (but are not limited to):

• Wage and tax statements (W-2s)
• Academic transcripts
• Employment records
• Rental receipts
• Records of honorable U.S. military service, employment with U.S. Government or certain intergovernmental international organizations; or as a dependent, unmarried child and member of the household of a parent in such service or employment (except where indicated).
• S. passport stamps may be considered a part of the evidence submitted, but should not be the sole documentary evidence. Drivers’ licenses do not constitute evidence of physical presence.

Adopted children or children under age 18 born to U.S. citizens who are not eligible for U.S. citizenship as described above may be eligible under the Child Citizenship Act of 2000. Further information is available from the Department of State’s website.

The Embassy provides notarial services including acknowledgements and affidavits.  Notarial services provided by the Embassy are primarily for the benefit of U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents.  Foreign nationals may also have documents notarized, but only if the documents will be used in the United States.  Please find information about Notarial procedures and fees here.

If the petition filed by the petitioner has not been approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the petitioner needs to contact USCIS.  The petitioner may also check on the status online.  If the case is being processed by the National Visa Center (NVC), please click here and visit your CEAC account (if applicable) for status information. Please contact NVC directly using the online contact form if you still have questions. The Embassy cannot answer any questions about NVC cases, including any questions about expedite options or about appointments.  Due to the lengthy suspension of routine visa services, there is currently a delay for interviews at U.S. Embassy Praia and globally, with more than half a million applicants with approved and complete petitions awaiting interviews worldwide.  We appreciate your patience and understanding as we take small steps towards reducing this backlog safely.  If, however, NVC has sent your case to the U.S. Embassy in Praia, and you are certain of this, please contact us at PraiaConsularIV@state.gov and provide us with your case number (PIA…) if you need an update on your case.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues Permanent Resident Cards (I-551) to immigrants who are legally admitted to reside in the United States.  Permanent Resident Cards (commonly known as “Green Cards”) can only be issued or replaced in the United States and cannot be obtained overseas.  If you believe you are eligible to return to the United States as a returning permanent resident but do not hold a valid legal permanent residency “Green Card” or other approved travel document, please review the information below.  Attempting to travel to the United States without valid proof of residency may result in your being denied boarding on U.S.-bound flights or entry at the U.S. border.

If your Green Card has been lost, stolen, or destroyed, you may be able to obtain a “Boarding Foil” valid for maximum 30 days for a single entry.  To qualify, you must not have been outside the United States for more than one year.   Learn more about applying for a Boarding Foil below.

If your Green Card has expired, you may still be able to use it to return to the United States.

You may need to apply for a Boarding Foil if your Permanent Resident Card (“Green Card”) was valid for two years and has expired.  However, a Boarding Foil is not required if you have one of the following:

• Orders from the U.S. government (civilian or military) showing that time spent outside the United States was on official U.S. government business;
• An expired Permanent Resident Card with a 10-year expiration date (see note below);
• An expired Permanent Resident Card with a two-year validity, and a Form I-797 Notice of Action, indicating that status is extended beyond the date of intended travel;or
• A Re-entry Permit that will be valid on the date of return to the United States.

Note: You do not need a Transportation Boarding Foil if you have an expired LPR card provided it was issued with a 10 year period of validity and if you have been outside the United States less than a year.  However, some airlines may be reluctant to let you board with an expired card.  If you encounter this situation, you should show the airline page 28 in the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) guide for carriers found in the CBP website.

Step 1: Pay the I-131A filing fee online.

• If you plan to file a Form I-131A to apply for a LPR boarding foil, please note that you must pay the filing fee online before appearing in person at the consular section.   The form and link to the fee payment site are at: https://www.uscis.gov/i-131a  Be sure to read the instructions before you pay as the fee is not refundable regardless of the decision on the application.  You will need your A-number in order to pay the fee.
• You must bring evidence of payment, in the form of a printed email receipt notice or confirmation page, when you appear in person to file Form I-131A.  As with all immigration fees, USCIS does not issue refunds, regardless of the decision on the application. USCIS will also not provide applicants an I-131A fee payment refund if the individual should have applied for an SB-1 instead of a boarding foil, if the application for a boarding foil is denied, or if you later determine a boarding foil is not needed.

Step 2: Schedule an appointment.

• You must request an appointment at U.S. Embassy Praia by emailing PraiaConsular@state.gov.
• Please attach a copy of your fee payment receipt to your email.
• You will receive an email confirming your appointment date.  Boarding Foils are processed during normal business hours only, and interviews will be scheduled on Mondays between 8am and noon absent evidence of an emergency.

Step 3: Bring all required documents to your interview.

• A completed Form I-131A Page 1 – 3 (and page 4-5 if applicable)
• Copy of payment receipt for the I-131A online, i.e. a printed email receipt or a confirmation page.
• Valid Cabo Verdean passport.
• Your airplane tickets, passport stamps, or other evidence that you were in the United States within the last 12 months.
• Evidence of your U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident status (e.g. passport showing the admission stamp to the United States as a Lawful Permanent Resident or copy of your green card if available).
• Police report to prove the Green Card was lost or stolen.  A detailed explanation is required as to when and to whom you reported loss or theft of the card if police report is not available.
• One U.S. passport size photo taken within the last 30 days.

Processing time will depend on the circumstances of your case and the amount of information and evidence you provide.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issues Permanent Resident Cards (I-551) to immigrants who are legally admitted to reside in the United States.  Permanent Resident Cards (commonly known as “Green Cards”) can only be issued or replaced in the United States and cannot be obtained overseas.  If you believe you are eligible to return to the United States as a returning permanent resident but do not hold a valid legal permanent residency “Green Card” or other approved travel document, please review the information below.  Attempting to travel to the United States without valid proof of residency may result in your being denied boarding on U.S.-bound flights or entry at the U.S. border.

If you have been outside the United States for more than one year, or beyond the validity period of a Re-entry Permit, you will require a new immigrant visa to enter the United States and resume permanent residence.  You can learn more about the documentation and fees to apply for an SB-1 (returning resident) visa on usvisas.state.gov.  When you have collected the required documentation and fees for the initial interview, please contact the Consular Section at PraiaConsular@state.gov to request an appointment.

The Embassy offers nonimmigrant visa (NIV) appointments for those wishing to enter the United States for a limited time.  Visa applicants must schedule their interviews using our online appointment system.  For more information on NIVs, including how to choose the correct visa type, how to apply, and what to expect on the day of the appointment, please visit our website.

If you need to travel sooner than the first-available appointment, you may request an expedited appointment through the scheduling website.  First schedule a regular appointment on the closest available date. Then, sign-in to your account, click “Continue”, select “Request Expedite” and follow the instructions. Expedited Appointments will only be granted at the Consular Section’s discretion. Circumstances that may be considered for expedited appointments include:
• An immediate relative’s death, grave illness or life-threatening accident taking place in the United States. Include the name, relationship, place and description of the situation, and contact information of the attending physician or funeral home.
• Urgent medical treatment for the applicant or their minor child.
• An applicant for a student or exchange visitor (F/M/J) visa whose I-20 or DS-2019 has a start date that is earlier than the first available visa appointment.
• An unexpected need to travel to the United States for urgent business purposes that is occurring earlier than the first available visa appointment.
• An unexpected visit that is of significant cultural, political, journalistic, sporting or economic importance that is occurring earlier than the first available visa appointment.

If your expedite request is granted, you will be expected to bring to the interview:
• Proof to support your stated emergency.
• Forms and supporting documents normally required.

If you missed your interview appointment, you must sign-in to your account, click “Continue”, select the “Missed My Appointment” link and follow the instructions. Please note that applicants must wait 24 hours before they will be able to request approval to reschedule a missed appointment.

As explained at the time of fee payment, visa fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.  The U.S. Department of State understands that many visa applicants have paid the visa application processing fee and are still waiting to schedule a visa appointment. We are working diligently to restore all routine visa operations as quickly and safely as possible. In the meantime, rest assured that U.S. Missions will extend the validity of your payment (known as the MRV fee) until September 30, 2023, to allow all applicants who were unable to schedule a visa appointment as a result of the suspension of routine consular operations an opportunity to schedule and/or attend a visa appointment with the already paid fee.  Please continue to monitor this site for information on when we will return to routine visa operations.