Qs About Moving (Digital Nomad Visa)

@Zylen Xavier-Hendrix

Hi Zylen,

Those are a lot of questions. I've answered them below along wth some added insights and suggestions:

I will be applying for the Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Working Program).

Truth be told, the "Digital Nomad Visa" does not exist in Cape Verde law. It is simply a regular 6-month temporary residency visa that is issued to any foreigner who applies for it, whether or not they are a "digital nomad". In other words, they've simply disguised the normal 6-month visa in a marketing program so as to appear as if a DN visa is being issued. Furthermore, the implementation of this program has been an absolute disaster. The last clients of mine, a DN couple, who applied for it arrived in CV and were here for 3 months without any DN visa before they were informed (by email) that their DN visas were ready for processing! They did not bother to even complete the process and evetually simply left CV to go to the Canary Islands and obtain DN visas to live and work there.

Note that any citizen of Europe and America can enter Cape Verde without any type of visa as they are automatically issued a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. You can easily and cheaply extend this for 90 days. However, if you leave Cape Verde after the expiration date of your tourist visa, you will be charged up to €50 per month of overstay. So if you want to stay for 6 months, just enter as a toursit, extend for 90 days, then leave after 3 more months and pay the exit fine of €150. It's much cheaper and less of a hassle than applying for a DN visa. Alternatively, you can simply apply for a 6-month temporary residency visa. And to stay for one year, simply extend the 6-month visa.

Is it true that you need to get a copy of the entry stamp passport page after you have been stamped into the country in order to extend your stay? How would I go about getting this copy if so?

I'm not sure I follow your question. Are you literally asking how to make a copy of the page in your passport into which is stamped your entry entry stamp??? The answer is that you use a photocopy machine! Or maybe you are imply not undestanding the arrival process. Every foreigner entering Cape Verde is issued a 30-day tourist visa (regardless of your purpose of being here) and the date of your arrival is stamped into your passport. After you are admitted entry, you can then go to the immigration authorities and apply for or process whatever type of visa you need for your stay, including a "DN visa", submitting whatever additional documents are requested to complete your application. If they request a copy of your entry stamp, simply go to a photocopy place and make a copy.

Is there any other documents I will only be able to get copies of after moving? I have a list of the ones I can easily get before going.

All the documents you need are listed on the website of the CV DN marketing program! Look for the list of documents towrds the bottom of the page. Note that you must apply online with copies of the documents requested and submit the original documents after you arrive. None of this can be done via a Cape Verde embassy.

Now I'm thinking quite far in advance here of course, but it doesn't hurt to ask! I was wondering if it's possible to switch from the Digital Nomad Visa to a Tourist Visa after one of the 6 month periods - and also how long can you keep the Digital Nomad Visa? Is it able to be renewed indefinitely, or just for the first year?

Switching to a tourist visa is not possible. You simply have to leave Cape Verde and then re-enter to obtain the 30-day tourist visa. The nearest foreign country is Senegal. You can simply go to Dakar, Senegal for a couple days and return to CV. You will be issued a 30-day tourist visa when you come back. The DN visa (it's really a 6-month temmporary residency visa) can only be renewed once under the DN marketing program. It cannot be renewed beyond one year. If you wish to stay more than 1-year, you will need to a plly for a permanent residency visa.

Also, when applying for the DN Visa, will I still need to fill out the TSA form and/or submit the EASE Application, or does applying for this specific visa mean that's not necessary?

Yes. Anyone seeking entry into Cape Verde MUST fill out the EASE form online (though I'm not sure what TSA form you're talking about). Fill out the EASE form at least 5 days before travelling otherwise they may not have time to process your form before you arrive (yes, things move like molasses in Cape Verde). You will receive a 30-day TOURIST visa upon arrival. But, you are only issued a (temporary or permanent) RESIDENCY visa AFTER you have first been admitted entry into Cape Verde as a tourist. And you cannot apply for any of  the residency visas at the airport...you can only do so at one of the imigration offices (they are police stations) once you enter the country, and it is a multi-week process.

Also, is the passport photo size the same as in the UK? To extend my stay after landing, can I simply show them my passport photos that came out of a UK photo booth?

The passport photo size is the EU-sized passport photo.

I'd also appreciate some advice on where to look for the best health/travel insurance. Do I certainly need both?

Do an online search. You'll find various health/travel insurance options. You will only need whatever is specifically requested on the DN visa website! If you wish to have more coverage than what is required, you are certainly free to do so.

I've seen online quite a few people talking about how you can get someone to help you with renewing your visa - where would I go for this support?

There will always be people in Cape Verde willing to take exhorbitant amounts of your money to assist with visa applications and renewals, whether or not they know anything about the process!. So please be careful. It is what I do for my day to day consulting practice. I'be happy to discuss my services with you. Just send me a private message.

Lastly, when calling from the UK, does anyone know the email and phone number of the ideal Cape Verde embassy for me to call? I only ask this since I've seen many online and I'm not sure which is the best for me to call/send an email to.

Not sure what you mean by "ideal", but you can find a list of all CV embassies via a simple online search. Not sure why you would need to call a Cape Verde embassy? They certainly cannot assist you with a residency visa as that is only done after you have arrived in Cape Verde. And they will most likely not be able to answer any questions about the residency visas, though they can help with multipke-entry tourist visas (many no onger offer this service). What is it that you think you may need help with? Be specific.

Finally, on which island will you be staying while in Cape Verde. I advise most foreigners to have your visa application dealt with in Praia which is where immigration services are headquartered. The immigration offices on other islands are either clueless, incompetent, or downright hostile to foreigners, or all of the above. For example, you absolutely do not want to deal with immigration in Sal. They are rude, hostile and abusive to foreigners.

Best regards,

Angelo

I have to say that a lot of what you have said here contradicts what I have heard from others who have moved to Cabo Verde. People who have stayed for 5 years simply by renewing a tourist visa every 3 months, for example. At this point, there are endless contradictions between forums, websites and people who have actually lived there. I will not stress and simply go with the required documents for a regular 3 month tourist visa and will consider applying for a temporary residence visa - though looking online it seems that you have to have stayed for 6 months already to retrieve it. Is that true? Thanks for your help, though I must note I will be cultivating optimism for my trip, and embracing all that is slow-paced!

I have to say that a lot of what you have said here contradicts what I have heard from others who have moved to Cabo Verde. People who have stayed for 5 years simply by renewing a tourist visa every 3 months, for example. At this point, there are endless contradictions between forums, websites and people who have actually lived there. I will not stress and simply go with the required documents for a regular 3 month tourist visa and will consider applying for a temporary residence visa - though looking online it seems that you have to have stayed for 6 months already to retrieve it. Is that true? Thanks for your help, though I must note I will be cultivating optimism for my trip, and embracing all that is slow-paced!
-@Zylen Xavier-Hendrix

People say all kinds of things. Websites have all kinds of information. Most people and sites have no idea what they are talking about. There's a lot of misinformation out there because almost nothing official is published online by the government itself, and in some cases government agencies provide incorrect iinformation because they themselves do not know the operational details of how the immigration departments work in practice! I speak from experience. This is why I asked you about which island you are moving to, but you still have not indicated. The quality of information your receive will depend on the island in which you submit a visa application.

I have lived here for 16 years and this is the work i've done for at least the past 10 years day in and day out...helping hundreds of foreigners stay in Cape Verde for short and long stays, or to live, work, retire, invest, start a business, buy property, etc. I even help some expats get citizenship after they've resided here for the required 5 years. I keep up with all the laws, I physically visit the immigration headquarters (DEF) right here in Palmarejo (just a couple blocks from my apartment), and I know many of the actual government workers by name, and I get the actual answers on the ground inside the government agencies/offices. People and workers here are not anonymous as you must appreciate that Cape Verde is an extremely tiny country split into even tinier islands.

In reality, beyond the initial 30-day entry visa, you don't need any other visa to stay in Cape Verde for as long as you wish. The government has zero resources to check on the immigration status of anyone. You will NEVER, EVER be asked to prove your immigration status to the immigration authorities while you are physically insde of Cape Verde...that is until you leave the country as that is the ONLY time anyone will ever look at your visa (and this has only been the case within the last few years as the technology has advanced to the point where the immigration officers at the airports now have access to the immigration records of foreigners leaving the country). Your immigration status will be examined at the immigration desk just before you enter the departure lounge at any of the 4 international airports. If you are found to have overstayed your visa, you will have to pay a fine (which could be up to €50 per month of overstay). Many people simply choose to pay the fine instead of going through the visa application hassle (very beaurocratic with lots of silly documents needed from various government agencies...it's a really irritating and mentally exhausting process).

There are only a few exceptions to this rule (never being asked about your visa) but these exceptions still do not involve the immigration authorities asking you to prove your immigration status.. if you are planning to live permanently in Cape Verde and you are importing/shipping lots of personal and household items into Cape Verde. you will pay the normal Customs duties on those items and the duties can be substantial. But if you can demonstrate that you have a permanent resident visa, you will be entitled to a waiver of duties on your personal USED household effects (except automobiles).

And if you are American or European, you can return anytime you wish with no repercussions eve if you have overstayed on a previous visit. Why? Because American and European visitors inject large amounts of foreign exchange into our tiny micro-economy. The government does not care whether you have a visa, or how long you stay. The longer you stay, the better. That's the official attitude.

My message is that you don't need to sweat the visa thing in Cape Verde. Just enter as a tourist and later on, if you choose to, you can apply for a residency visa (whether temporary or permanent). But of course, you're free to believe whomever you choose.

Best regards,

Angelo

I didn't specify the island because I haven't decided yet which one I'm going to yet, this is okay. Thanks for the reassurance. One more question, would I need a police certificate from the UK in order to apply for a Residency visa, and how long would it be valid if so? If any previous questions didn't make sense, it's because of information I found online. It's completely understandable for me to not know the things you know when its not only my first time going to Cabo Verde but also my first time moving abroad. Thank you again.

I didn't specify the island because I haven't decided yet which one I'm going to yet, this is okay. Thanks for the reassurance. One more question, would I need a police certificate from the UK in order to apply for a Residency visa, and how long would it be valid if so? If any previous questions didn't make sense, it's because of information I found online. It's completely understandable for me to not know the things you know when its not only my first time going to Cabo Verde but also my first time moving abroad. Thank you again.
-@Zylen Xavier-Hendrix

Hi Zylen,

Quick correction. I just noticed that I said that I helped hundreds of foreigners with visas. To be clear, I've helped many dozens who have physically come to CV. But probably hundreds over the years on this forum who may not have actually relocated.

You will indeed need a police certificate from the UK to apply for a residency visa. Make sure it is apostiled. It will officially be valid for at least as long as it is valid in the UK. In practice, it will still be accepted even if it has officially expired at the time you submit your visa application, as long as it was valid when you first arrived and if you had not left CV after arriving.

As far as deciding which island you will settle on, it is much better to first come to the capital city to take care of your immigration and business matters because this is where all of the headquarters of the government agencies are located. From the capital, you can easily visit various islands (all of the domestic flights and ferries leave from the capital to every other island) while your matters are processed. This way you can more calmly make an informed (in person) decision as to on which island you will permanently settle.

Best regards,

Angelo

@CVAngelo Okay, thanks a lot. I know I said it was my last question, but simply to make sure, is there any documents outside of the following that I will need to get Specifically Before I leave the UK (some of these I already have and others I plan to get) in order to apply for a Residency visa (Temp/Permanent)?

Passport, 4 passport size photos, signed visa application (EASE), passport biodata page copy, bank statement, apostilled police document.

I know there are likely many other documents that are to be retreived once in Cape Verde... for now I won't think about it and just want to focus on what I need before going specifically.

Also, if I sign up for a Caixa CV Bank Account, will I be able to directly send money from my British bank account (HSBC) to my CV one? GBP to CVE? Or is this a more complicated process?

@CVAngelo Okay, thanks a lot. I know I said it was my last question, but simply to make sure, is there any documents outside of the following that I will need to get Specifically Before I leave the UK (some of these I already have and others I plan to get) in order to apply for a Residency visa (Temp/Permanent)?
Passport, 4 passport size photos, signed visa application (EASE), passport biodata page copy, bank statement, apostilled police document.
I know there are likely many other documents that are to be retreived once in Cape Verde... for now I won't think about it and just want to focus on what I need before going specifically.

Also, if I sign up for a Caixa CV Bank Account, will I be able to directly send money from my British bank account (HSBC) to my CV one? GBP to CVE? Or is this a more complicated process?
-@Zylen Xavier-Hendrix

Hello Zylen,

As I indicated in an earlier reply, the only document you need to bring with you is an apostiled police certificate. Your passport is required to travel. You do not need to bring any passport photos! We have cameras in CV. You can get a set of those here in 5 minutes at a cost of €3-4 euros.

The EASE form is filled out online at least 5 days before departure and you will also pay your airport tax online...you don't need a paper EASE form (I've never seen one).

Cape Verde has a modern banking system and is on the global SWIFT network. So yes, you can easily set up online a wire transfer of money from your HSBC bank account to ANY bank in Cape Verde. You can even set it up as a recurring transfer so that a specific amount is transferred every month.

Cheers,

Angelo

@CVAngelo Thank you very much. I can understand that the question about passport photos was quite silly. How far in advance could I fill out the EASE form? I greatly appreciate your help.

@CVAngelo Thank you very much. I can understand that the question about passport photos was quite silly. How far in advance could I fill out the EASE form? I greatly appreciate your help.
-@Zylen Xavier-Hendrix

Hi Zylen,

You're welcome. Feel free to contact me via private message if you wish to receive my contact info for later on.

The online EASE form should be filled out probably no earlier than two to three weeks in advance, but don't wait till later than the 5-day mark as they may not process your request in time for your arrival. In any event, remember to print your EASE receipt or store a copy on your phone after you complete the process.

Warm regards,

Angelo

Thank you. I saw online somewhere that in order to obtain a residency visa, a visa stamp with the entry “permanente” must be present, meaning more than 6 months of uninterrupted residence. Is this the case? How would I go about proving that I have stayed for 6 months in order to get this stamp? Would the initial tourist visa be enough, or do I need to make sure I keep renewing a visa up until the 6 month mark in order to get the residencia?

No. This is absolute nonsense. You can simply stop quoting "what you saw online". No-one knows how the process works unless they have been doing this for day in and day out.

@CVAngelo

I’m very impressed by your contributions on this forum. So thank you.

Here you seem very relaxed about getting away with paying the overstay fine, but three years before you said:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … illegally.

Has something changed since then and are they back to being lax? There used to be no black marks or traces.

How many times a year can one get away with it do you think?

Another quick question please. The consul in Dakar, Senegal, tells me over the phone that on an EU passport I can get a 90 day tourist visa simply by filling in the form online and paying and then at airport immigration they will do exactly as I request on the form and give me the 90 days. But absolutely everywhere I read it’s only 30 days for EU passport. Are they talking nonsense? I made sure they understood it was an EU passport. I am tempted to go in person to the embassy anyway, just to make sure. They seemed surprised that I was being so circumspect, but I don’t really trust them.

The extension in Cape Verde seems much more painful than getting the right visa before the trip.

    @CVAngelo
I’m very impressed by your contributions on this forum. So thank you.
Here you seem very relaxed about getting away with paying the overstay fine, but three years before you said:
https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … illegally.

Has something changed since then and are they back to being lax? There used to be no black marks or traces.
How many times a year can one get away with it do you think?

Another quick question please. The consul in Dakar, Senegal, tells me over the phone that on an EU passport I can get a 90 day tourist visa simply by filling in the form online and paying and then at airport immigration they will do exactly as I request on the form and give me the 90 days. But absolutely everywhere I read it’s only 30 days for EU passport. Are they talking nonsense? I made sure they understood it was an EU passport. I am tempted to go in person to the embassy anyway, just to make sure. They seemed surprised that I was being so circumspect, but I don’t really trust them.
The extension in Cape Verde seems much more painful than getting the right visa before the trip.
   

    -@simon5723

Hi Simon,

There has indeed been a change in the past 3 years. I keep up to date with everything. Three years ago, the exit procedures did not really exist and there were no rules. It all depended on who the immigration officer was on the day you left. It was arbitrary. Now, they have everything computerized and the fines are lower. And if your overstay is not very long, they even waive the fine. Also, if you can show that you actually live here (rental contract), or own a business, or are married to a Cape Verdean, they waive the fine.

Holders of European and American passports are issued a 30-day visa. It's the law. Only citizens of ECOWAS (the West African Economic community which includes Senegal) are issued a 90-day visitors visa because there was a multilateral agreement between the African countries that make up the ECOWAS community.

Hope this helps.

Best regards,

Angelo

@CVAngelo

Wow both computerised and a lower fine. Unusual combination!

How much is the fine usually for each month's overstay?

Does computerised mean an international "black mark" (negative) on passport and/or database, like you would get in the USA?

Or are us privileged US/EU citizens spared this ignominy and just given a gentle slap on the wrist, as long as we don’t do it too often!?

Thanks.

(PS I believe that if you don't use the "@username" in a reply we don't get the email)

    @CVAngelo
Wow both computerised and a lower fine. Unusual combination!
How much is the fine usually for each month's overstay?

Does computerised mean an international "black mark" (negative) on passport and/or database, like you would get in the USA?
Or are us privileged US/EU citizens spared this ignominy and just given a gentle slap on the wrist, as long as we don’t do it too often!?
Thanks.
(PS I believe that if you don't use the "@username" in a reply we don't get the email)
   

    -@simon5723

There's no such thing as "black marks" here. They don't have the time or resources for such nonsense. You can exit with expired visa as many times as you wish. They just care about collecting the fees.

Just don't worry about this stuff. It's not America. You can return as often as you wish. Foreigners spend truckloads of money here. It's a poor, tiny country. Americans and Europeans are welcome anytime. There is no way they would impede your entry.

Angelo

@CVAngelo

(I got the email this time)

Wow. Even East Europeans I wonder?

And any idea of the monthly amount?

Thanks.

    @CVAngelo
(I got the email this time)
Wow. Even East Europeans I wonder?
And any idea of the monthly amount?
Thanks.
   

    -@simon5723

Put it this way. It's cheaper and faster than applying for an extended visa or a permanent visa. Like I said, it's not worth worrying about. Now, lots of visitors have learned to ignore the hassle of trying to extend the visa, and instead just leave and pay the fine.

Angelo