Cape Verde to Portugal Visa Applications Surge 62% in 2025
PRAIA, Cape Verde — Efficiency reforms and increased staffing at the Portuguese Embassy in Cape Verde have led to a massive 62% surge in visa applications processed in 2025 compared to 2023. Diplomatic sources confirm that the embassy has significantly overhauled its operations to meet rising demand and crack down on “appointment hoarding” by third-party scammers.
A Shift in Mobility Patterns
The latest data marks a significant milestone in diplomatic mobility between the two nations. The Common Visa Center (CCV) in Praia, which handles short-stay Schengen visas for multiple European countries, saw authorizations jump by 58.3%. In 2025, the center issued over 18,000 short-term visas, a sharp rise from the 11,600 granted in 2023.
Embassy officials describe the trend as a “very large increase in mobility not related to emigration.” Since Schengen visas do not allow for residency, the surge reflects more frequent travel for business and tourism. This growth is bolstered by the expansion of airline routes connecting the Cape Verdean islands to Portugal and the broader European continent.
Tighter Controls on Work Visas
While short-term travel is booming, the landscape for labor migration has become more regulated. In 2025, the embassy issued 6,894 work-related visas, a 9% increase over 2023 levels. However, the nature of these visas has changed; the previously popular “job-seeker” visa category has been phased out. Current work visas are now strictly based on verified employment contracts.
Authorities note that the end of “expressions of interest”—a legal mechanism previously used by migrants to regularize their status after arriving—has led to stricter enforcement of stay limits recorded in passports.
Combatting the “Appointment Mafia”
A primary goal of the embassy’s recent management reform was to eliminate the predatory practice of appointment hoarding. For years, applicants complained that slots were snapped up by automated bots or scammers who then sold the appointments for a profit.
Cape Verdean authorities have made several arrests since 2024 to dismantle these networks. The embassy continues to urge applicants to contact diplomatic services directly if they encounter scheduling difficulties. They reminded the public that Schengen visa appointments are free, while national visas for Portugal process through VFS Global for a standard fee of 4,400 escudos (approximately 40 euros).
Economic Concerns at Home
The exodus of workers to Europe remains a hot-button issue in Cape Verde. While the ease of travel is welcomed by many, local business leaders are concerned about a potential “brain drain.”
Marcos Rodrigues, president of the Sotavento Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Services, warned that the domestic labor market is feeling the pressure. While Cape Verde values its relationship with Portugal, Rodrigues emphasized that the archipelago must balance international mobility with the need to sustain its own economy, stating that growth in Portuguese labor recruitment “cannot be at the expense of pressure” on local businesses.
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