So, I’ve been thinking about getting a Cape Verde passport for a while. It seemed like a cool idea, you know, having a second passport and all that. Plus, Cape Verde is a beautiful place, and who wouldn’t want to be connected to that? I did some digging online and found out a few things.
First off, you need to be a citizen. That’s a given, right? I wasn’t, so that was step one. Then, I saw that you have to be registered at the Embassy or Consulate General. Okay, no problem, I can do that. For the application, you need some sort of picture ID, like my driver’s license, or if I had one, an expired Cape Verde passport would also work.
The Tricky Part
Here’s where it got a bit tricky. I found out that you have to apply in person because they need your biometrics – picture, fingerprints, and signature. They said on the website that you can pay with cash, check, or money order, which is pretty standard. Also, they mentioned that card payments aren’t common in Cape Verde, and mostly only Visa and Mastercard are accepted in some big places.
Another thing I stumbled upon is this visitor registration thing. Apparently, all visitors need to complete an online registration before going to Cape Verde, and it costs around 3 bucks. It can be for 30, 60, or 90 days.
Paperwork Galore
I also read that the Cape Verdean passport is a travel document issued by their government. Makes sense. And for U.S. citizens, like me, you need a passport that’s valid for at least six months after your planned departure date to enter and leave Cape Verde.
Someone mentioned online that you don’t actually need a Cape Verdean passport to buy property there, which is interesting. They said anyone can buy property and has equal protection under the law. Good to know, I guess.
I also discovered that Cape Verdean passport holders have visa-free access to 40 countries and can get e-visas for 44 others. That’s a pretty sweet deal.
The Waiting Game
The website also said that you could choose to receive your passport at the place of application, or other embassies and consulates, or even in Cape Verde at authorized institutions.
So, after gathering all this info, I decided to take the plunge.
- I started the citizenship process – that was a whole other adventure, let me tell you.
- Then, I got myself registered at the Consulate General.
- I made an appointment to go in person, brought all my documents, and did the biometrics thing.
- Paid the fee, which wasn’t too bad.
Now I’m just waiting. It’s been a few weeks, and I’m getting antsy. But hey, I guess good things come to those who wait, right? Hopefully, soon I’ll have that Cape Verde passport in my hand, and I can start planning my trip there. Fingers crossed!