Are you a Cape Verdean citizen dreaming of the bustling Djemaa el-Fna square in Marrakech, the blue-washed streets of Chefchaaouen, or the historic medina of Fes? Morocco is a land of vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and unforgettable adventures.
If you've started planning your trip, your first question was likely about the visa. You may have even searched for the "Morocco e-Visa for Cape Verde."
I have fantastic news for you: it's even easier than you think.
While some nationalities must apply for a full e-Visa (a complex process), Cape Verdean citizens are in a special, much simpler category. You don't need a traditional "sticker" visa, and you don't need the standard "e-Visa."
This is the most common point of confusion for travelers, and this guide is here to clear it all up.
Do Cape Verde Citizens Need a Visa for Morocco?
No! As of a recent policy update, citizens of Cape Verde are visa-exempt for travel to Morocco for up to 90 days.
However, this visa exemption is not a free pass to just board a plane. To board your flight and enter the country, you must pre-register and obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (Visa) online before you travel.
This is a mandatory security and registration step for all visa-exempt nationalities, including Cape Verde. (Note: This is especially true during 2025, as Morocco has formalized this electronic system for many visa-exempt African nations ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations).
Morocco Visa vs. Morocco e-Visa: What's the Difference?
This is the most important question to understand, as it will save you a lot of confusion. Many people use the terms "e-Visa" and "Visa/ETA" interchangeably, but they are two completely different products in Morocco.
The Morocco e-Visa is a full-scale visa application that has been moved online. It's for non-visa-exempt nationalities (like citizens of Cameroon or India). It requires applicants to prove their eligibility by uploading "supporting documents," such as a valid visa or residence permit from the USA, UK, or Schengen Area (as seen in the "Type of Supporting Doc" and "Supporting Doc - Valid Multiple-Entry Visa" upload fields). The approved e-Visa only grants a 30-day stay.
The Morocco Visa (ETA) is a simple travel authorization. It is only for citizens of visa-exempt countries, like Cape Verde. Because you are already visa-exempt, you do not need to provide any "supporting documents" like a US or Schengen visa. The application is a straightforward registration of your passport and travel details. The approved Visa allows you to stay for up to 90 days.
The takeaway: When you visit the Morocco eVisa, you must apply for the Visa, not the e-Visa.
How to Apply for the Morocco eVisa from Cape Verdean Citizens?
The Morocco eVisa Application process is fast and user-friendly. Here is what you need to do:
Start a New Application: Log in and select the option to apply for an electronic authorization.
Select the Correct Type: The Morocco eVisa will guide you. You will select your nationality (Cape Verde) and your travel document. The system will automatically direct you to the Visa application (not the e-Visa application).
Fill in Your Information: Complete the form with your personal details, passport information (number, issue date, expiry date), and your travel plans (intended date of arrival, address in Morocco).
Upload Your Documents: You will only need to upload two simple items: a digital scan of your passport's bio-data page and a digital passport-style photo.
Review and Declare: You must check several declaration boxes, certifying that your information is accurate, you have a valid passport, a hotel reservation, a return ticket, and sufficient funds.
Pay the Fee: Pay the non-refundable processing fee using a credit or debit card (Visa or Mastercard).
Submit and Wait: Once paid, your application is submitted. You will receive a confirmation email. Approval is usually very fast.
Receive Your Approval: Your approved Visa will be sent to your email as a PDF document.
Morocco Visa Requirements for Cape Verdean Citizens
The document requirements for Morocco Visa are minimal, which is what makes it so much easier than an e-Visa. Based on the Morocco eVisa upload fields, here is all you need:
A Valid Cape Verdean Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you plan to enter Morocco.
A Digital Scan of Your Passport: A clear, high-quality color scan of your passport's main "Passport Bio Page."
A Digital Passport-Style Photo: A recent, clear "Applicant Photo" of yourself (see requirements below).
A Valid Email Address: This is where your approval will be sent.
A Credit/Debit Card: A Visa or Mastercard to pay the processing fee.
That's it! As a Cape Verdean citizen applying for the Visa, you do not need to upload anything for the "Supporting Doc - Valid Multiple-Entry Visa" or select a "Type of Supporting Doc," as those fields are for e-Visa applicants only.
What are the Photo Requirements for Morocco Visa Application?
Your "Applicant Photo" must follow standard international passport photo rules to avoid rejection:
Recent: Taken within the last 6 months.
Background: Must be on a plain, uniform white background.
Quality: Clear, in-focus, and high-resolution (not blurry or pixelated).
Pose: Face-forward, neutral expression, eyes open.
Format: A digital file (like a JPEG) to be uploaded.
What is the Processing Time for the Morocco Visa?
Because the Visa is a simpler authorization, it is much faster than an e-Visa. The Morocco eVisa different processing speeds, allowing you to choose based on your needs:
Normal Processing: 3 to 6 business days
Rush Processing: 2 to 4 business days (for an additional fee)
Super Rush Processing: 1 to 2 business days (for a higher fee)
My advice: Don't pay extra. Apply with "Normal Processing" at least one week before your flight to be safe and avoid any stress.
How Long is the Visa Valid For?
This is another key area where the Visa is better than the e-Visa.
Validity (Entry Window): Your approved Visa is valid for 180 days (6 months) from the date it is issued. You can use it to enter Morocco at any time within this 6-month window. This "180 days" matches the validity period shown on the application for all electronic permits.
Duration of Stay: As a visa-exempt national from Cape Verde, you are permitted to stay in Morocco for up to 90 days. (This is much longer than the 30-day limit on the e-Visa).
Entry Type: The standard Visa is for a Single Entry.
Can I extend my 90-day stay in Morocco?
This is a common question. The 90-day visa-exempt stay is generally considered the maximum for a tourist visit. While visa extensions are technically possible, they are not guaranteed and can be a very complicated bureaucratic process.
You must apply in person at the immigration office of the local police station (Préfecture de Police) in the city you are staying in, well before your 90 days expire. You will need to provide a compelling reason and extensive documentation (proof of funds, new return ticket, etc.).
For most travelers, it is strongly advised to plan your trip to be 90 days or less.
Can I Apply for a Tourist or Business Visa?
Yes. The Visa, just like the e-Visa options shown in the application, covers both tourism and business.
When you fill out the application online, it will ask for your "Purpose of Visit." You can select "Tourist" or "Business." The application process is identical for both.
Staying Connected: A Note on eSIMs for Business Travelers
For any traveler, but especially for business travelers, staying connected from the moment you land is crucial. Relying on airport Wi-Fi or hunting for a physical SIM card is inefficient.
This is where an eSIM (embedded SIM) is a game-changer.
An eSIM is a digital SIM card that you can install on your modern smartphone before you even leave Cape Verde. When you land in Morocco, you simply switch to your eSIM profile and are instantly connected to a local data network (like Maroc Telecom, Orange, or Inwi).
Benefits for Business Travelers:
Instant Connectivity: Be online the moment your plane lands. Check emails, use maps, and contact your clients or hotel immediately.
No Fumbling with SIMs: No need to find a store, fill out registration paperwork (which is required for physical SIMs in Morocco), or use a paperclip to swap tiny plastic cards.
Keep Your Home Number: You can keep your Cape Verdean SIM active for important calls or texts while using the eSIM for all your mobile data.
Cost-Effective: Often cheaper than roaming with your home provider. You can buy a data package (e.g., 10GB for 30 days) that suits your trip length.
You can purchase a Morocco eSIM from various global providers online before your trip.
What Declarations Must I Make on the Application?
During the final step, you will be required to check several boxes. These are legal declarations. By checking them, you certify that:
"Any refused request is non-refundable."
"I certify the accuracy of the information provided, in case of error my request will be refused."
"I have a valid passport that covers the period that I will be staying in the country."
"I have a hotel reservation or an invitation."
"I have a return ticket."
"I have sufficient financial means (70 EUR per day minimum)."
What Does "Sufficient Financial Means (70 EUR per day)" Mean?
This declaration is crucial. While you don't have to upload bank statements for the Visa application, you are legally promising that you have access to at least 70 Euros (or its equivalent in USD or Cape Verdean Escudos) for each day of your planned stay.
A Moroccan border officer has the right to ask you for proof of this upon arrival. It is highly recommended to travel with a recent bank statement or have a credit card with a sufficient limit.
What Documents Do I Show Upon Arrival in Morocco?
When you land in Morocco (e.g., in Casablanca, Marrakech, or Rabat), you will need to present the following to the immigration officer:
Your Valid Cape Verdean Passport.
A Printed Copy of Your Approved Visa.
Proof of Accommodation: Your hotel reservation(s).
Proof of Onward Travel: Your return flight ticket to Cape Verde (or an onward ticket to another country).
Proof of Funds: Be ready to show a bank statement or credit card if asked.
Do I need a printed copy of the Visa, or is a phone copy okay?
Always bring a printed paper copy.
While we live in a digital age, border control systems are not always perfect. Airlines may require the paper copy to board. An immigration officer may want a physical document to stamp and process. Your phone battery could die.
Don't risk it. A printed copy is the safest and most recommended way to travel.
"Why was my Morocco Visa application refused?"
It is very rare for a Visa to be refused, as it's not a subjective visa. If a refusal happens, it is almost always for one of these "technical" reasons, which you certified against in the declaration:
A typo: You misspelled your name or entered your passport number or birth date incorrectly. This is the #1 reason.
A bad photo: Your uploaded photo was blurry, dark, had a colored background, or you were wearing a hat/sunglasses.
A bad passport scan: Your passport scan was unreadable, blurry, or had a finger covering the information.
"I made a mistake on my Visa application! Can I correct it?"
No. Once an application is submitted, it cannot be edited.
This is why the declaration "I certify the accuracy of the information provided, in case of error my request will be refused" is so important.
If you made the error and haven't submitted: You can cancel the draft and start over.
If you submitted and paid: You must wait for the application to be processed. If it is (predictably) refused due to the error, the fee is non-refundable, and you must start a brand new application with the correct information and pay the fee again.
"I haven't received my Visa approval email, what should I do?"
Check Your Spam Folder: This is the most common place for automated government emails to end up.
Wait for the Full Processing Time: If you paid for "Normal Processing" (3-6 business days), don't panic on day 2. Wait for the full 6 business days to pass.
Log in to the Site: Your approval status is always available on your page. You can log in and check the status directly. You can also download the approved PDF from your account dashboard, even if the email never arrived.
Top Tips for a Successful Morocco Visa Application
Double-Check All Typos: Your name, birth date, and passport number must match your passport exactly. An error can make your Visa invalid.
Use High-Quality Scans: Use a proper scanner for your passport and photo. A blurry phone picture is the fastest way to get a rejection.
Apply in Advance: Don't wait until the last minute. Apply at least 7 business days before your trip for total peace of mind.
Print Your Approval: Don't just rely on your phone. Bring a printed copy of your Visa with your travel documents.
That's it! The process is simple, fast, and 100% online. Your Moroccan adventure is just a few clicks away.
Have a wonderful trip to Morocco!
