News 2007 - An Expats application for Residency in 2007 (Archive News)

13-Jun-2017

Applying for Residency in Cape Verde - 2007

The following information was provided by an Expat who was in the process of applying for Residency for the first time 6 years ago in 2007. The Expat is living on Sal Island.

There is a new guide produced by the Camara Municipal on Sal, found at bottom of page.

You will also find an update at the bottom of how to renew your Residency Card Visa.

On first applying for our Residency Card in 2007 we were told we needed:

1. Police records from country of origin (and copied into Portuguese)

2. Police records in Cape Verde - from Praia.

3. Judicial Police Records - from the island you live on

4. Medical certificate (issued at the hospital in Espargos)

5. Residence certificate (issued by the Town Council - Sal)

6. International vaccination certificate (booklet)

7. Property registration deed (ownership deed of property)

8. If you do not own a property you must provide a copy of the rental agreement, authernticated by Finance.

9. Three passport sized photos

10. Authenticated copy of the passport, with valid visa.

11. Commercial certificate of the company (if you are a partner of the company)

12. Copy of Model 110 from Finance (for taxation purposes).

13. Emigration Department Form, dully fuilled in - Sal

14. Bank Statement in Cape Verde.

15. If you are an employee - you must provide a Contract of Employment, authenticated in the Employment Department - Sal.
Additional info to the above:

The UK Police check, from the country of origin can be applied for online, but check small print for any changes i.e. one person reported that for security reasons the document had to be sent back to her address and then sent back to the organisation carrying out the Police check, this was a method of providing additional security in case of it being a fraudulent application!

Once you have fulfilled all the requirements for the Police check the document then has to be sent to The Legalisation Office, of the Foreign & Commonwealth Office, I believe the office is now based in Milton Keynes ( I do not have an address) to be legalised and you have it forwarded to the Consular Section, at The Embassy of the Republic of Cape Verde based in Brussels where again it has to legalised, before being sent back to you. Make sure you send all documents by registered post.

If you are not registered on any company documents as employed or named on the documents you will have to provide other documentation............they will not accept copies of a marriage certificate, it has to be the original.

Check out the page on Visa's, click on this link: Visa and the links to further info on that page. Also............

Imigration Guide to Sal Island - Cape Verde

Update 2013 LINK: Applying for Residency for the first time

Renewing your Residency - update 2013

The Expats who provided the above information, have provided further info regarding their renewal of their Residency and the documents and process they went though...............

Getting our initial residency card for the first time in 2007 was a long slow process, we paid someone to do it for us.
So much paper work required from the UK and here. Took months to get all the correct paperwork stamped and notarised in the correct countries. This was 6 years ago, and I am sure will of been updated and changed.

To renew our cards, annually we have to:
Write a letter (Portuguese) to the Police Commandant requesting residency card renewal.
Write a letter to the Finance office to request a document to confirm we have no outstanding bills to pay them,
this can take a few days and there is a charge of 2,600 ecv per request.

Then you need
1 x small photo as per residency card
copy of passport
2 x copies of residency cards (both sides)
2 x forms to be completed ( can buy from foto Veira in Esgargos) a small charge ...... One form is for your personal details ie name, nationality, date of birth, passport number and passport size photo etc,, and the other form is for your finger prints.

Payment of 5,000 for the renewal + 100 ecv for the forms completed by the Police.

All paperwork has to be taken to the police station in Espargos in person.
You will be given a document to take to the bank where you pay the 5,000 ecv, you then have to return to the Police Station with proof of payment.
You will be finger printed and all the paperwork checked, the police will stamp a copy of the request form, which can be used at the airport if leaving the islands.
You to allow 3 weeks for the card to be processed and stamped, and will have to go in person to collect the stamped residency card.
We were told the Residence Visa should not be allowed to expire, or would need to re apply in full, but not sure if this would happen, but would not like to risk it.
Take a few copies of passport.