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Pathway

Cabo Verde Business Residence

Cabo Verde Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

If you will run a business or provide qualifying professional services in Cabo Verde, you can apply for residence through self-employment. You need a lawful business or services arrangement and the approvals required for your own work. Company ownership alone does not give you permission to live there.

Activity
An active business or qualifying professional services in Cabo Verde
Business evidence
A legally formed company or accepted services arrangement
Professional approval
Required where the activity is regulated

Summary

Cabo Verde’s business residence category covers an active role supported by a registered company or an accepted professional-services arrangement. For a regulated profession, the professional authorization matters as well as the business records. Passive share ownership or buying a home does not by itself establish this active-business category.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

Show that you have legally formed the company or arranged the qualifying services you will provide. If your profession requires a license or professional-body registration, obtain the relevant approval.

Prepare evidence of the activity, money to support yourself in Cabo Verde, accommodation, tax identification, and social-security registration where applicable. You must also meet the entry requirements and complete the personal checks.

Applying to live in Cabo Verde through self-employment
  1. Check the activity and your personal role Confirm foreign-ownership rules and any required professional license.
  2. Prepare the business and support records Document the company or services arrangement, housing, funds, and registrations.
  3. Apply for residence and maintain the approvals Check the conditions and prepare renewal before expiry.

Residence and permission to carry out the business or profession have separate requirements.

What This Route Allows

If approved, you can live in Cabo Verde for the accepted business or professional activity. Temporary residence lasts two years and can be renewed for further two-year periods, subject to the requirements. Any separate work or professional permission must also remain valid.

What This Route Is Not

Registering a company, holding shares without an active qualifying role, or buying property alone does not grant residence. This route does not grant citizenship or promise permanent residence.

Next Steps

  1. Confirm that foreign ownership and your proposed business or professional role are allowed.
  2. Set up the lawful business or services arrangement and obtain the required activity approvals.
  3. Gather support, housing, tax, identity, and other requested records and apply for the matching residence permission.
  4. Check the approved conditions and keep the documents needed for renewal current.

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Sources