BRIEF PRESENTATION OF CAPE VERDE

Booklet Part 1

The information in the booklet was produced in 2012 and there has been no further update. This is the first section extracted for information for this web page. For the complete 32 pages please click on the link at the bottom of this page.

When these notes (booklet) were updated in 2012, every care was taken to ensure the accuracy of the notes, however, the British Embassy in Dakar cannot be held responsible for any errors or incorrect information supplied. PLEASE NOTE AGAIN: The information HAS NOT been updated since 2012!!! 

¨this booklet is only a guide

¨it is not exhaustive

¨many situations will require professional legal advice

¨the Embassy cannot give legal advice but can provide a list of English speaking Lawyers.

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History

The islands of Cape Verde were officially first discovered in 1460 (five of the islands), by Genoese António da Noli and Diogo Gomes of Portugal, both were explorers serving the Portuguese Crown. The other islands were discovered later in 1462 by Portuguese explorer Diogo Afonso. Colonization of the country commenced in the Seventeenth Century, Santiago was the first island to be colonized, with the establishment of a system of hereditary captaincies for African slave labour, brought over from the coast of Guinea to work in the plantations of sugar cane, cotton and fruit trees. From the second half of the Twentieth Century, with the emergence of the movements for the independence of the African peoples, a process of national liberation began in Cape Verde, led by the African Party for the Independence of Guinea and Cape Verde (PAIGC), which was secured on the 5th of July of 1975.

Geography

The archipelago of Cape Verde has a total area of 4. 033 square meters and is located 500 km off the west coast of Africa. It consists of ten islands and several islets of volcanic origin, nine of which are inhabited, divided into two groups: the Barlavento islands, or the northern island group comprised of Santo Antão, S. Vicente, Santa Luzia, São Nicolau, Sal and Boavista and the Sotavento islands, or the southern island group comprised of Maio, Santiago, Fogo and Brava.

Weather

The archipelago has a dry tropical climate with average annual temperatures rarely below 25ºC. The water temperature varies between 21ºC in February and 25ºC in September. There are two seasons during the year, the dry season from December to June, and the rainy season from August to October.

Population

According to population projections by the National Institute of Statistics (INE), Cape Verde’s population (2009) is currently estimated at 508,633 inhabitants, and is expected to reach 567,633 inhabitants by 2015.

Economy

Cape Verde presents high rates of economic growth, with an estimated average/annual return per capita of about US$ 2,000, due mainly to the political stability in the country as well as to the investments made in education, and the remittances from the immigrants.

The country's gross domestic product is produced mainly by the tertiary sector, resulting from the strong influence of tourism, which contributes above 70% to the GDP.

Currency: Capeverdean Escudo (CVE)

Exchange rate: GBP 1 = CVE 124.0768 (15-04-2009), EUR 1 = CVE 110.265 (fixed)

Official Language: Portuguese

Mother Language: Creole

Religion: Mostly Catholic (over 90%)

Telephone Code: +238

VISAS FOR ENTRY INTO CAPE VERDE

Visa on arrival at the airport.

This type of visa is for all foreign persons entering into Cape Verde for tourist or business purposes. The visa is valid for a two week period. This Visa is often organised by the travel agents/entities when you book your trip but upon arrival into Cape Verde one of the passport control desks will be designated to issue this visa then for 25 Euros, if the travel agent has not already organised this (you should check this with the tour operator when the trip is booked).

PLEASE NOTE - : In April 2020 following the covid-19 outbreak the Cape Verde Government withdrew the exemption for visa's. that had previously been introduced in January 2019: TOURIST VISA ENTRY AND AIRPORT TAX 2019 .   

Tourist Visa

This type of visa can be granted at the Cape Verde Embassies abroad or in Cape Verde, as an extension of a visa granted on arrival, at the airport. In order to extend a visa granted at the airport, one must submit the following documents:

•Passport with an entry stamp;
•Photocopy of passport (the page with the person’s identification and the page with the entry stamp);
•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Form dully completed + Model Form B (200 CVE);
•If the person is not staying in a Hotel, he/she must submit proof of financial capacity (cash, travel checks, bank statement);
•2,000 CVE to pay for the visa (bank deposit through the Model Form B);
•Maximum stay of 90 days (may be extended).

According to information given by the Embassy of Cape Verde in Portugal, the following documents must be submitted for a visa for entry into Cape Verde: Valid passport;

•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Form duly completed (it can be obtained at the Embassy website www.embcv.pt );
•Price per visa - € 44.14;
•The process for obtaining the entry visa takes about three days.

Presently, the Cape Verde Embassy for the UK is in Brussels.

To obtain the temporary one year residence visa one must stay in the country at least 6 months. During this period, the tourist visa must be renewed at least twice. Therefore, besides the documents listed above, one must submit the following additional documents:
•Lease contract;
•Work contract;
•Medical certificate;
•International Vaccination Certificate.

RESIDENCE VISA

Those who want to get a residence permit in order to work, study or live in Cape Verde, if they’re retired or foreign citizens married to Cape Verdean citizens, and living in Cape Verde for the minimum period of 6 months, shall submit the original visa process to the Emigration and Border Department, with a copy of all of the required documents. When the documents are submitted for residency a one year temporary residency visa should be issued by the Emigration and Border Department to the applicant whilst they await approval of the resident permit in Cape Verde, since the approval process is not immediate.

Once the residence permit is granted, the applicant is entitled to a resident permit valid for one year. After five years living in Cape Verde with a resident permit, the validity of such card will be extended for three years.

Requirements for obtaining work visa in Cape Verde

•Living in Cape Verde for at least six months;
•Request submitted to the Director of the National Police;
•Valid Passport;
•Photocopy of passport (the page with the person’s identification and all the pages with entry stamps in Cape Verde);
•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Form dully completed + Model Form B (200 CVE);
•500 CVE per visa to the Portuguese Speaking Countries; 300 CVE per visa to Senegal; 5,000 CVE per visa to other countries without entry visa agreement with Cape Verde ( Bank deposit through the Model Form B);
•Photocopy of work contract certified by the General Directorate of Labour;
•Declaration by the Employer;
•Document proving that the applicant has economic resources in Cape Verde enduring his/her survival;
•Document proving the applicant’s lodging conditions in Cape Verde (property registration certificate or lease contract);
•Criminal Record certificate or similar document issued by the authorities in the country of the applicant, dully legalised by the Foreign Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom, translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services;
•Criminal Record or similar document issued by the authorities of the country the applicant currently lives, dully translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services (issued by the Registry Office);
•Police certificate issued by the Judiciary Police Department and by the National Police Department;
•Residence certificate issued by the City Council;
•Medical Certificate issued by Cape Verde Health Department;
•International Vaccine Certificate.

Requirements for obtaining Student Residence Visa:

•Living in Cape Verde for at least six months;
•Request submitted to the Director of the National Police;
•Valid Passport;
•Photocopy of passport (the page with the person’s identification and all the pages with entry stamps in Cape Verde);
•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Form dully completed + Model Form B (200 CVE);
•500 CVE per visa to the Portuguese Speaking Countries; 300 CVE per visa to Senegal; 5,000 CVE per visa to the other countries without entry visa agreement with Cape Verde (Bank deposit through the Model Form B);
•School/College/University Certificate, proving that the applicant is enrolled in school;
•Document proving that the applicant has economic resources in Cape Verde ensuring his/her survival;
•Document proving the applicant’s lodging conditions in Cape Verde (property registration certificate or lease contract);
•Criminal Record certificate or similar document issued by the authorities in the country of the applicant, dully legalised by the Foreign Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom, translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services;
•Criminal Record or similar document issued by the authorities of the country the applicant currently lives, dully translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services (issued by the Registry Office);
•Police certificate issued by the Judiciary Police Department and by the National Police Department;
•Residence certificate issued by the City Council;
•Medical Certificate issued by Cape Verde Health Department.

In case the student is younger than 15 years of age, student residence permit shall be requested by the minor’s parents and attached to their residence permit card. At 15 years of age, the parents may request residence permit in the minor’s name.

Requirements for obtaining residence visa for foreign nationals married to Cape Verdean citizens:

•Living in Cape Verde for at least six months;
•Request submitted to the Director of the National Police;
•Valid Passport;
•Photocopy of passport (the page with the person’s identification and all the pages with entry stamps in Cape Verde);
•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Form dully completed + Model Form B (200 CVE);
•500 CVE per visa to the Portuguese Speaking Countries; 300 CVE per visa to Senegal; 5,000 CVE per visa to the other countries without entry visa agreement with Cape Verde (Bank deposit through the Model Form B);
•Marriage Certificate;
•Statement of Liability signed by the spouse;
•Document proving the spouse’s economic resources;
•Work declaration of the spouse;
•Document proving the lodging conditions in Cape Verde (property registration certificate or lease contract);
•Criminal Record certificate or similar document issued by the authorities in the country of the applicant, dully legalised by the Foreign Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom, translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services;
•Criminal Record or similar document issued by the authorities of the country the applicant currently lives, dully translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services (issued by the Registry Office);
•Police certificate issued respectively by the Judiciary Police Department and by the National Police Department;
•Residence certificate issued by the City Council;
•Medical Certificate issued by Cape Verde Health Department.

Requirements for obtaining visa for retired persons intending to live in Cape Verde:

•Living in Cape Verde for at least six months;
•Request submitted to the Director of the National Police;
•Valid Passport;
•Photocopy of passport (the page with the person’s identification and all the pages with entry stamps in Cape Verde);
•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Form dully completed + Model Form B (200 CVE);
•500 CVE per visa to the Portuguese Speaking Countries; 300 CVE per visa to Senegal; 5,000 CVE per visa to the other countries without entry visa agreement with Cape Verde (Bank deposit through the Model Form B);
•Retirement Pension Declaration;
•Transfer of retirement pension to Cape Verde;
•Document proving that the applicant has economic resources in Cape Verde ensuring his/her survival;
•Document proving the applicant’s lodging conditions in Cape Verde (property registration certificate or lease contract);
•Criminal Record certificate or similar document issued by the authorities in the country of the applicant, dully legalised by the Foreign Commonwealth Office in the United Kingdom, translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services;
•Criminal Record or similar document issued by the authorities of the country the applicant currently lives, dully translated into Portuguese and certified by Cape Verde consular services (issued by the Registry Office);
•Police certificate issued by the Judiciary Police Department and by the National Police Department;
•Residence certificate issued by the City Council;
•Medical Certificate issued by Cape Verde Health Department;
•International Vaccine Certificate.
For further information, please contact:
Emigration and Border Department in Praia: Switchboard - 261 32 05
Emigration and Border Service in S. Vicente: Switchboard - 231 46 31
Emigration and Border Service in Sal: Switchboard - 241 11 32

CUSTOMS FORMALITIES

Cape Verde Customs system, which is governed by the Ministry of Finances, is aimed at controlling the circulation of goods (entry and exit), charging fees and taxes levied on such goods, in harmony with specific customs tariffs.

Taxes collected by the Customs Services:

•Import Rights;
•Value Added Tax;
•Tax on special commodities;
•Ecological Tax on non biodegrading packages (law n. 46/VI/2004);
•Community Tax, established by the ECOWAS Agreement (art. 72 of the resolution n. 115/IV/95 – 5th Supplement of the Official Journal n. 37 – 1st Series); Community Tax Regulation (resolution n. 66/V/97 – Official Journal of December 31).

Note: the legal documents referring to taxes collected by the Customs services in Cape Verde can be found at the webpage http://www.alfandegas.cv.

Tax exemptions and reduction of customs rights and taxes on some imported goods and equipment are legally granted in order to stimulate the economic activity related to farming, industry (industry bylaws), fisheries, transports and tourism, journalism and mass media. Only national citizens, foreign citizens retired and living in Cape Verde, and foreign citizens married to national citizens shall benefit from customs tax exemptions and reductions as established by Cape Verdean law.

IMPORT OF GOODS

As far as customs handling of goods is concerned, Cape Verde customs system demands for services rendered by an official Customs Agent.

As far as import of goods is concerned, the following documents should be submitted to the hired Customs Agent:

•An import permit, issued by the Chamber of Commerce;
•Purchase invoices;
•Freight invoices;
•Knowledge of the shipment data (bill of lading);
•Note on packaging.

In this case there are no exemptions and the goods are taxed according to their nature.

Reception of non-commercial goods (for people who intend to reside in the country):

In this case, no tax is paid provided that the applicant submits to the Customs Agent the following documents:
•Resident Permit
•Passport;
•Bill of lading, which is issued by the shipping agency.

If the goods weight is equal to or less than 150 kg, or the value of the goods is under 10,000 CVE, then the goods can be collected directly from Customs by the consignee of the goods.

As far as personal items are concerned, the following is required: an official statutory declaration, signed by a solicitor in the country of origin and stamped by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Foreign and Commonwealth Office in Milton Keynes) of the country of origin, translated into Portuguese and certified by an Embassy or Consulate of Cape Verde (for UK residents from the Cape Verdean Consulate in Brussels).

Import of vehicles

The citizens fixing residence in Cape Verde only pay VAT (15%) and shall, therefore, submit the following documents to the Customs Agent:

• Resident Permit;
• Passport;
• Bill of lading, which is issued by the shipping agency.

Temporary import is another method available (for a period previously established), in which the owner of the vehicle does not pay any tax, being subject only to payment of a bond, which will be reimbursed upon the exit of the vehicle from Cape Verde.

Any item can be temporarily imported. To do this, a list of items must be submitted in advance to a Consulate of Cape Verde abroad in order to obtain a permit.

At the time of export of the corresponding item, an application issued by the customs agent and stamped by the Customs is necessary.

Export of perishable goods to Cape Verde

To export perishable goods to Cape Verde, one must have a representative in the national territory (import agent), which may be an import company or even a hotel, boarding house or other, with import permit issued by the Chamber of Commerce . The representative / importer must obtain an import permit at the Ministry of Environment by submitting a health certificate sent by the exporter.

DRIVING LICENSE

Foreign nationals residing in Cape Verde for less than one hundred and eighty-five days (6 months)

Foreign nationals who are in Cape Verde for less than one hundred and eighty-five days, are allowed to drive motor vehicles with their foreign driving license.

Foreign nationals residing in Cape Verde for a period exceeding one hundred and eighty-five days (6 months)

According to Article 121, paragraph 4 of Cape Verde Highway Code, foreign nationals residing in Cape Verde for the period mentioned above are not allowed to drive motor vehicles in Cape Verde.

Foreign nationals willing to get the national driving permit without taking the national driving license examination, can only do so if they submit their valid driving licence, after confirmation of the requirements set out in Cape Verde Highway Code, lines a) to d) paragraph 1 of Article 122, namely:

•Holders of driving licenses issued by a foreign State legally acknowledged by the Republic of Cape Verde by convention or international treaty;
•Holders of driving licenses issued by a foreign State, which recognizes similar validity to the Capeverdean driving licenses;
•Holders of driving licenses issued by other States with which Cape Verde has bilateral agreement as far as equivalence and title exchange are concerned;
•Holders of driving licenses issued by other States, provided that evidence is given to the fact that those driving licenses were granted after an exam was passed, with a level of rigor at least equal to the one established by law in Cape Verde.

The following documents are required for persons holding foreign driving licenses - except for international driving licenses - who are willing to get a national driving license, with waiver of examination:

• "Driving license application" Model duly completed and signed;
• License to drive to be transformed into a national driving license;
•1 (one) passport-type photograph;
•Health certificate;
•Copy of ID card or resident permit, if the applicant is a foreign national, which shall be confirmed by display of the original document;
•CVE 2,500 fee plus CVE 500 fee for service costs.

For further information, please contact:
General Directorate of Road Transports
Address: Praia, Santiago
Telephone: (+238) 2613525/ 2615707
Fax: (+238) 2611124

EMPLOYMENT

The Institute of Employment and Vocational Training (IEFP) is responsible for the implementation of employment and training policies, as defined and adopted by the government, namely through the Ministry of Education and Higher Studies and the Ministry of Labour, Vocational Training and Social Solidarity.

The IEFP runs six employment centres, namely in Praia, Mindelo, Ribeira Grande, Assomada, São Filipe and Sal, which aim to promote employment and vocational training within the context of the programs designed by IEFP to promote employment.

The following information is provided by the Employment Centres:
•Job offers;
•Vocational training courses;
•Employment programs in the country and abroad;
•Vocational insertion;
•Self-employment;
•Capacity building ;
•Public Bidding for personnel recruitment;
•Technical assessment of users for training courses carried out in the ambit of the programs mentioned above;
•Application for employment locally or abroad;
•Reception and management of job offers from companies;
•Collective sessions for vocational guidance aimed at young people seeking for their first job;
•Meeting with partners.

TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER

Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF) is issued by the General Directorate of Contributions and Taxes (DGCI) and the indication the taxpayer number (NIF) of any individual taxpayer or representative (if applicable) is compulsory in all applications, declarations, statements, complaints, appeals, income declarations to the State Treasury, official letters or other documents which are submitted to the administration.
Any worker with his/her own business or working for an employer in Cape Verde, being he/she a national citizen and/or a foreign national, must have a taxpayer identification number (NIF).

In order to apply for a Taxpayer Identification Number, one must submit the following documents:
National citizens:
•Photocopy of the Identity Card or Passport.
Foreign nationals:
•Photocopy of passport;
•Photocopy of Identity Card of the applicant’s representative, if it is the case.
Note: If the applicant’s representative is holder of a valid taxpayer number, he/she is not required to submit the above mentioned document.

Getting a Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF) for the first time is free of charge; at the second request, however, individual applicants shall pay about 1,430 CVE, and businesses (corporations or legal entities) about CVE 2,840.

The costs above increase every year, according to the individuals’ or business income, fixed by the Ministry of Finance.

SOCIAL SECURITY REGISTRATION

All national citizens and / or foreign nationals, as soon as they start working or carrying out an income-generating activity in the Cape Verde, must register with the National Social Security Institute, by submitting the following documents:
To register a business in the National Social Security Institute:
•Copy of the Company License;
•Copy of the Official Journal where the company constitution is published;
•Taxpayer Identification Number (NIF);
•Model Form 110 completed;
•Declaration identifying the company's representative.

To register an employee/individual in the National Social Security Institute:

•1 (one) passport- type photograph;
•Birth Certificate of the employee’s and employee’s children and / or equivalent;
•Copy of identity card or passport;
•Registration form provided by the Social Security Institute, dully completed and signed by the employer and the employee, with the stamp used by the institution submitting the request.

The registration process is free of charge. The monthly contributions correspond to 8% in the first 6 months, deducted from the employee’s salary. After the 6th month, the monthly contribution will correspond to 23% of the employee’s total salary, 15% of which is paid by the employer and 8% by the employee.

Payment may be made in the country’s commercial banks or at the Cashier’s office available at the National Social Security Institute facilities.

Under Decree-Law No. 5/2004 of February 16, 2004, foreign nationals registered in the social security systems of countries with Agreement on Social Security matters signed with Cape Verde, namely Portugal, the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden, may apply for exemption from registration in the National Social Security System (INPS), submitting evidence, for this purpose. An updated copy of evidence of membership in a different social security system should be forwarded to the National Social Security Institute (INPS) yearly.

For further information, please contact:
Ministry of Labour, Vocational Training and Social Solidarity
Address: Plateau, Praia, Santiago
Telephone: (+238) 261 40 50 / 261 14 67

MEDICAL SERVICES AND PAYMENT OF MEDICAL CARE FEES

Cape Verde is currently provided with the following health infrastructures, which meet the needs of the resident populations, in general:
•Central and Regional Hospitals;
•Health Centres;
•Health Services;
•Private Practices;
•Pharmacies.

The main Hospitals of the country, Central Hospitals, located on the islands of Santiago and S. Vicente, offer medical services in different medical specialties, namely: Cardiology, Neurology, Gastroenterology, Surgery (General, Cardio-Thoracic, Maxillofacial surgery), Paediatrics/Neonatology, Anaesthesia, Urology, Dermatology, etc.

Paid Medical Services:
•Medical exams in Central and Regional Hospitals – 1,000 - 1,500 CVE;
•Medical Exams in Health Centres – 500 - 750 CVE;
•Emergency service in Central Hospitals - CVE 1,500;
•Cost per day of internment in Central Hospitals - CVE 2,750;
•Cost per day of internment in the Regional Hospitals - CVE 1,000;

Free Medical Services:
•Vaccination;
•Treatment of mental illness;
•Treatment of infant diseases;
•Prenatal care.

Central Hospitals in Cape Verde

Hospital Agostinho Neto
Address: Plateau, Praia, Santiago
Telephone: (+238) 260 10 10

Hospital Baptista de Sousa
Address: Mindelo, S. Vicente
Telephone: (+238) 231 18 79/ 231 21 22
Information provided by Baptista de Sousa Hospital

TRAVEL AND HEALTH CARE

For up to date travel advice: LINK - GOV.UK

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LINK -

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