Skip to content
en
Menu
Back
Cape VerdeStatus in-countryLast checked October 17, 2026

Cabo Verde residence visa (work, investment, study, family reunification) leading to a residence permit

The residence visa is for foreigners who plan to live in Cabo Verde for professional activity, investment, higher education lasting more than a year, or to join a resident foreign family member. It allows a 6-month stay, extendable until the residence permit (TRE) decision is made. Applicants must show means of subsistence, accommodation, a health certificate and no serious criminal record.

See requirements ↓
1 entry rule for Cape Verde based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Life in Cape Verde

Money

3

Currency

Cape Verdean Escudo

CVE

Cape Verdean Escudo

Cost of living

54

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

16.5–27.5%

Income tax (national)

VAT (IVA) 15%

IRPS on aggregated income: 16.5% up to CVE 960,000 a year, 23.1% to CVE 1,800,000, 27.5% above; taxable income up to CVE 220,000 is exempt.

Official rates, 2025 · headline only

Your edge here Members

What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties

Get started

Who it’s for

Workers, investors, university students and family members of foreign residents moving to Cabo Verde.

Eligibility

  • Purpose

    You need a residence purpose: work, investment, study of more than one year, or family reunification.

    • Professional activity
    • Higher-education study cycle of more than one year
    • Family reunification with a resident foreigner
    Official wording

    Professional activity, investment, a higher-education study cycle of more than one year, or family reunification with a resident foreigner.

  • General requirements

    Valid return or onward transport, sufficient means of subsistence, a travel document valid beyond the planned stay, lawful prior entry, a health certificate, an international vaccination certificate, proof of the residence purpose and adequate accommodation.

  • Criminal record

    You must have no conviction in Cabo Verde carrying more than one year of custodial sentence, and may be asked for a criminal record certificate.

    • Certificate must be valid at least 6 months
    • Certificate must be translated into Portuguese
    Official wording

    No conviction in Cabo Verde carrying more than one year of custodial sentence. A criminal record certificate may be requested; it must be valid at least 6 months and translated into Portuguese.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Document checklistPassport valid at least 6 months beyond the stay
  • FeesResidence visa
  • Steps to applyGather proof of purpose, means, accommodation, health and criminal record

The full requirements are for members

Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.

  • 5 documents
  • 1 fee
  • 4 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
Get started See plansSign in

Places to visit in Cape Verde

Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.

Subscriber feature

Finding places for you…

Official sources

Was this page helpful? Helpful Report a concern

Other routes to Cape Verde

All routes to Cape Verde →

Status in-country in other countries