Alright, so I’ve been digging into this whole Cape Verde ID card thing, and let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey. Started off pretty clueless, not gonna lie. But hey, that’s why we’re here, right? To learn and share. So, first things first, I needed to figure out how to even get started.
I started with figuring out how to get a local SIM card. I figured that without internet I was doomed. I did some research and found out that a SIM card is sold at the airport or many other places. I went to the airport and got myself a SIM card. I was asked for my ID, so I handed it over, and I got myself a SIM card within a few minutes. I inserted the SIM card into my phone, and I had internet! Some places only took cash, while others also took credit or debit cards. I decided to use my Starling bank master card for most transactions.
Then, I went on to look for options for mobile data plans. Found a couple of providers offering decent deals. They had these “affordable” data packages, starting at around €3.99, which seemed like a steal. But you know how it is, gotta read the fine print. Anyway, I signed up for one of those plans, activated it, and boom, I was online.
Next step was figuring out the whole residency thing. Turns out, Cape Verde has this residence-by-investment program. Sounded fancy, but it’s basically a way to get permanent residency by investing in real estate. The minimum investment is around €80,000. And they throw in some tax benefits too, which is nice. Plus, you can include your family in the application.
Before I could proceed, I had to register as a visitor. I found out that all visitors to Cape Verde must register online before visiting. I could register for 30, 60, or 90 days. The cost was 3,400 CVE, which was about €31. I registered for 30 days.
- SIM card: Check.
- Internet: Double-check.
- Residency program: On the radar.
So, I filled out all the forms online. It felt like it took forever, but I guess that’s just how these things go. Submitted everything, paid the fees, and waited. And waited. And waited some more. It wasn’t a quick process, let me tell you. There were moments of doubt, moments of “What am I even doing?” But I pushed through.
Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I got the approval. I was officially eligible for the residency program! Now, I just had to go through with the investment, which is a whole other can of worms. But hey, I was one step closer to getting that Cape Verde ID card.
It’s been a rollercoaster, for sure. Lots of ups and downs, a few face-palm moments, but ultimately, I’m making progress. And that’s what counts, right? So yeah, that’s my story so far. Still got a ways to go, but I’m feeling pretty good about it. Who knows what other adventures await? Stick around, and we’ll find out together.
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