Cabo Verde Digital Nomad Visa Guide
Visa Name: Cabo Verde Remote Working
Launch Year: 2020
Max Stay: 6 months (renewable)
Summary for HR & Compliance Teams
Cabo Verde’s Remote Working visa allows freelancers and employees from select countries to live and work remotely from the archipelago for up to six months, with the option to renew. The programme is designed to attract skilled remote professionals while excluding local employment, minimising compliance risks for employers.
From a compliance perspective, the visa exempts foreign-sourced income from local taxation and does not permit local work. This structure helps mitigate permanent establishment (PE) and corporate tax risks, making Cabo Verde a viable short-term base for international remote work.
Key Compliance Considerations
| Factor | Detail |
|---|---|
| Can your employee work for a local company? | No. Local employment is not permitted. |
| Local income tax payable? | No. Foreign income is exempt. |
| Corporate tax / PE risk? | Low, provided the role does not involve local client activity. |
| Social security obligations? | None, as the visa prohibits local employment. |
| Employment classification risk? | Low. Visa clearly distinguishes foreign workers from the domestic labour force. |
| Permanent establishment (PE) trigger | Unlikely if work is remote-only and not client-facing locally. |
Visa Details
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | Freelancers and employees from eligible countries |
| Minimum income requirement | $21,000 USD/year |
| Visa cost | $65 USD per person |
| Max stay | 6 months (renewable) |
| Processing time | ~2 weeks |
| Application difficulty | Easy (online) |
| Renewable? | Yes |
| Dependents allowed? | Yes |
| Work for local company? | No |
| Application link | Apply Now |
| Gov info link | Remote Working Cabo Verde |
Local Living Snapshot
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Time zone | GMT -1 |
| Cost of living | $ (Low) |
| Wi-Fi speed | 24 Mbps |
| Popular hubs | Praia, Mindelo, Sal |
| Lifestyle | Island living, warm climate, Portuguese-speaking, emerging nomad community. |
Why Cabo Verde Works for Employers
Low compliance risk: No local tax and clear ban on local employment.
Affordable base: Low cost of living compared to other island destinations.
Simple process: Quick application turnaround and renewable stay option.
Risk Summary
Best suited for: Short-term remote placements under 12 months.
Caution: Programme limited to citizens of eligible countries.
Recommendation: Confirm nationality eligibility before approval.
At a Glance: Cabo Verde DNV Summary
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Visa in Place | Yes |
| Visa Name | Cabo Verde Remote Working |
| Launch Year | 2020 |
| Max Stay | 6 months (renewable) |
| Visa Fee | $65 USD |
| Income Requirement | $21,000 USD/year |
| Tax on Foreign Income | No |
| Social Security | No |
| Work for Local Employer? | No |
| Processing Time | ~2 weeks |
| Application Type | Online |
| Difficulty | Easy |
| Eligible Roles | Freelancers, employees |
| Wi-Fi Speed | 24 Mbps |
| Cost of Living | $ |
| Residency Path | Not available |
| Last Reviewed | August 2025 |
Donal Brady is Co-Founder and Head of Product at Work From Anywhere, a platform to help companies execute a successful workation policy. He has deep expertise and experience in the world of remote work having spent nearly twenty years working in finance leadership roles with global multinationals like PwC, before entering the world of global mobility with International SOS and then pivoting into the software industry with Accel-KKR backed Smart Communications. He walks the walk with Work From Anywhere, speaking 5 languages, having travelled to 65+ countries and worked in 10.
