Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | B-2 visitor visa |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | B-2 visitor visa from a US embassy or consulate |
| Where to apply | Online DS-160 form, then an interview |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Cape Verde is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Cape Verdean citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States, Manhattan included. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. The visa covers tourism and short visits, not work or study. Check travel.state.gov for current rules.
What the status means
Cape Verde is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Cape Verdean citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States. The application starts with the online DS-160 form and includes an interview at a US embassy or consulate. The visa covers tourism, family visits and short trips, not work or study. Check travel.state.gov for current rules, because procedures change.
Before you fly and arrival
At JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, Customs and Border Protection inspects arriving travelers. Keep the passport, visa and trip documents in hand luggage. Expect questions about the purpose of the visit, where you will stay in Manhattan and when you plan to leave. Answer briefly and honestly. Check the airport and Customs and Border Protection sites for current arrival procedures, since terminals and queues change.
Staying in Manhattan
Carry a hotel confirmation with a Manhattan address, a return or onward booking and a short outline of the visit. Officers may ask about funds for the stay and who you plan to see. From the airport, use public transit or official ground transport. Keep copies of key documents apart from the originals, and check the official site for changes to entry rules.
Work, study and longer stays
A B-2 visitor visa covers tourism and short visits. Work, study, exchange programs and long stays need a different visa category, and the right category depends on the purpose and any sponsor. Start with travel.state.gov and the US embassy or consulate that handles Cape Verde. Do not travel on a visitor visa expecting to work or enroll on a course.
How to apply for a visitor visa
- Complete the online DS-160 form for a B-2 visitor visa, using official guidance on travel.state.gov.
- Pay the visa application fee through the official route named by the embassy or consulate.
- Book an interview at the US embassy or consulate that serves Cape Verde.
- Attend with the passport, DS-160 confirmation, photo and documents about the trip.
- Wait for the passport and visa, then check the visa details before booking flights.
- On arrival at JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, present the passport and documents to Customs and Border Protection.
Documents to carry
- Passport, with validity checked on the official site
- DS-160 confirmation page and interview appointment details
- The visa, with details checked before booking flights
- Hotel confirmation and a Manhattan address for the stay
- Return or onward booking with dates and funds evidence
Cape Verdean citizens: questions
Do Cape Verdean citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan for a holiday?
Yes. Cape Verde is not in the Visa Waiver Program, so Cape Verdean citizens need a B-2 visitor visa for a holiday in the United States, Manhattan included. Apply with the online DS-160 form and attend an interview at a US embassy or consulate. Check travel.state.gov for the current process.
Where do Cape Verdean citizens apply for a US visitor visa?
Applications go through the US embassy or consulate that serves Cape Verde. Start with the online DS-160 form, pay the fee through the official route and book an interview. The embassy or consulate site lists the documents to bring and local procedures. Check travel.state.gov and that site, because instructions change.
What should Cape Verdean citizens show at a New York airport?
At JFK, LaGuardia or Newark, Customs and Border Protection may ask about the visit, the Manhattan address, return plans and funds. Carry the passport, visa, hotel confirmation and return or onward booking. Answer briefly and honestly. Check the airport and Customs and Border Protection sites for current arrival procedures.
Can Cape Verdean citizens work or study in the United States on a visitor visa?
No. A B-2 visitor visa covers tourism, family visits and short business trips, not work or study. Work, study and longer stays need a different visa category, chosen by purpose and sponsor. Start with travel.state.gov and the consulate that serves Cape Verde, and check the official site before committing.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.