Amendment to the Legal Regime for the Entry, Stay, Departure and Expulsion of Foreigners from Cape Verdean Territory

Decree-Law No. 13/2025 of May 15, 2025, makes the second amendment to Decree-Law No. 2/2015 of January 6, 2015, and aims to simplify the entry and residence permit granting procedure by reducing documentation requirements, shortening the travel document’s validity from six to three months, in line with international practice, and facilitating digital access to the service.

This legislation updates the conditions and terms for issuing entry permits into Cape Verde, where transit, temporary entry, and tourist visas can be requested directly through the digital platform provided for this purpose.

Residence and temporary visa extension applications within the country can also be requested through the digital platform or directly at DEF counters. They must be submitted on a specific form signed by the applicant, accompanied by the requested documents, upon payment of a surcharge.

Decree-Law No. 13/2025 of May 15, 2025 also expands the authorized maritime border posts, including the opening of new posts on the islands of Santo Antão, São Nicolau, Boavista, Maio, Fogo and Brava, boosting the growth of cruise and yacht tourism flows, and facilitating the entry and stay in national territory of passengers who intend to disembark on those islands..

The aforementioned legislation also adopts a framework of specific measures necessary for the implementation of the Agreement and mobility arrangements for citizens of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP).

Decree-Law No. 13/2025 of May 15, 2025, introduced a new visa modality for digital nomads, which regulates the residence visa for the exercise of professional activities performed remotely outside the national territory. This aims to contribute to the diversification and decentralization of Cape Verde’s tourism offerings, fostering sustainable growth and maximizing the positive effects of tourism on the Cape Verdean economy and society.

The aforementioned legislation also provides for the expansion of a range of public services that will now be provided primarily digitally, through dedicated platforms available on the internet, offering users clear advantages over the current model.

Decree-Law No. 13/2025 of 15 May 2025 was enacted on 9 May 2025 and came into force on 16 May 2025.