Western Africa · Immigration

Cape Verde

20 immigration routes

Cape Verde sits in Western Africa. Its immigration system runs 20 distinct routes — led by residence-based status, short stay & visit and family, each set out in official law. All 20 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
20across 14 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
20 of 20cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Residence-based status3 of the 20 routes — see them under Residence-based status below
Region
Western Africa
Capital
Praia
Population
527,326
Official language
Portuguese
Currency
CVE
Time zone
UTC-01:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 20 routes, grouped by purpose — 20 of 20 cite an official government source directly.

Work

1 route

For a foreign national with a valid employment contract or promise of employment meeting Cabo Verde labour-law specifications.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 11
Official government source: aai.gov.cv · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Investment

1 route

Business & self-employment

1 route

Talent & merit

1 route

Study

1 route

Family

2 routes

For the spouse, minor or dependent child, or adopted minor of a foreign national holding a valid Cabo Verde residence permit.

Documents: 3Process & costs: 1Report facts: 15
Official government source: aai.gov.cv · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Independent means

1 route

Digital nomad

from €1,500
1 route

Residence-based status

3 routes

For a foreign national who has held temporary residence in Cabo Verde for at least five years and meets the permanent-residence conditions.

Report facts: 1
Official government source: e-portaldef.gov.cv · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Short stay & visit

3 routes

For a citizen of an ECOWAS member state to circulate in Cabo Verde without a visa or residence permit for up to ninety days.

Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: aai.gov.cv · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For a temporary tourism visit to Cabo Verde, using the tourism visa unless an exemption or free-circulation agreement applies.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: gov.cv · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Humanitarian protection

2 routes

Ancestry & return

1 route

Medical treatment

1 route

Transit

1 route

For a traveller who disembarks in Cabo Verde while in transit to another country and whose nationality requires a transit visa.

Documents: 1Process & costs: 1Report facts: 4
Official government source: gov.cv · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

See which Cape Verde routes you actually qualify for.

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