Netherlands Visa RequirementsFor Cape Verde passport holders
Cape Verdean passport holders need a Schengen visa to visit the Netherlands. The Netherlands is particularly significant for Cape Verdean travelers as the country hosts one of the largest Cape Verdean diaspora communities in Europe, especially in Rotterdam.
Cape Verde passport holders require a visa to enter Netherlands.
The Netherlands has no embassy in Cape Verde. Apply at the Dutch Embassy in Dakar, Senegal, or check whether the Portuguese Embassy in Praia handles Netherlands Schengen applications. If visiting family in Rotterdam or another Dutch city, obtain a formal invitation letter from your host. Standard Schengen documents apply: application form, two photos, EUR 30,000 travel insurance, confirmed bookings, and bank statements. Fee: EUR 80. Processing: 15 business days.
Netherlands is part of the Schengen Area. Your stay counts toward the 90-day limit within any 180-day period for the entire Schengen zone. Learn more about Schengen rules →
Entry Requirements
Passport Validity
3 months beyond departure from Schengen
Blank Pages
2 blank pages required
Multiple Entry
Single entry only
Work Permitted
No - requires work visa
Current Travel Situation
Cape Verde to Netherlands: What You Need to Know
The Netherlands is a Schengen member and Cape Verdean citizens need a Type C visa for short stays. The Netherlands is home to a substantial Cape Verdean diaspora, with a significant community in Rotterdam that dates back to the 1960s and 1970s when Cape Verdeans came to work in the port industry. This makes the Netherlands one of the most common European visa destinations for Cape Verdean applicants.
The Netherlands does not maintain an embassy in Cape Verde, but the Dutch Embassy in Dakar, Senegal handles applications for the region. The Portuguese Embassy in Praia may also process Dutch Schengen applications.
Applicants visiting family may include an invitation letter from their Dutch-based host, which can significantly strengthen the visa application.
Practical Tips
Given the large Cape Verdean community in Rotterdam, many applicants are visiting family. A strong invitation letter from a Dutch-resident family member, combined with proof of their legal residency, is a valuable addition to your application. Book your appointment at the Dutch Embassy in Dakar as early as possible. If you have visited the Netherlands or other Schengen countries before without issue, include evidence of this positive travel history.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do Cape Verdean citizens need a visa for the Netherlands?
Yes. The Netherlands is a Schengen member and Cape Verdean passport holders must obtain a Schengen Type C visa before visiting. The visa allows stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Where do Cape Verdean citizens apply for a Dutch Schengen visa?
The Netherlands has no embassy in Cape Verde. Apply at the Dutch Embassy in Dakar, Senegal. The Portuguese Embassy in Praia may also handle Dutch Schengen applications; confirm this before planning your trip.
What extra document helps Cape Verdean citizens visiting family in the Netherlands?
An official invitation letter (nader uitnodiging) from your Dutch-resident family member or host, along with proof of their legal residency status in the Netherlands, strengthens a family visit visa application considerably.
What is the Dutch Schengen visa fee?
The standard Schengen visa fee is EUR 80, approximately USD 87.