Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment
Government-Authorized Agent
Program Highlights
- Minimum Investment: USD 90,000 (single applicant) or USD 95,000 (family of 2 to 4)
- Processing Time: Two months from full application submission
- Stateless Persons Eligible: Individuals without any current nationality may apply
- CPLP Membership: Special residence, work, and study rights in Portuguese-speaking countries
- Family Inclusion: Spouse, children, and parents eligible for citizenship
- Dual Citizenship: Permitted without requirement to renounce existing nationality
- Citizenship by Descent: Passes to all future generations
- Investment Focus: National Transformation Fund supporting renewable energy, eco-tourism, and infrastructure
About Sao Tome and Principe
Sao Tome and Principe is an island nation located in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Central Africa. Comprising two main islands and several smaller islets, this Portuguese-speaking country is known for its biodiversity, natural beauty, and political stability. The country is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), the United Nations, and the African Union.
Location
Gulf of Guinea, Central Africa
Population
Approximately 200,000
Capital
Sao Tome
Official Language
Portuguese
Currency
Sao Tome and Principe Dobra (STN)
Government
Democratic Presidential Republic
Economy
Agriculture, Tourism, Sustainable Development
Main Airport
Sao Tome International Airport (TMS)
Legal Framework
The Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Program operates under the authority of the Government of Sao Tome and Principe and is administered through the Citizenship by Investment Unit. The program was established to attract sustainable investment while providing qualifying investors and their families with citizenship and the benefits associated with CPLP membership.
NTL is a government-authorized agent for the Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Program, licensed to submit applications directly to the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Eligibility Requirements
The Sao Tome and Principe program is one of the few programs globally that accepts applications from stateless persons, meaning individuals who do not currently hold any nationality. This program offers such individuals the opportunity to obtain a fully recognized international citizenship with all associated benefits, including a passport, CPLP membership, and residence and work rights across Portuguese-speaking countries.
Principal Applicant Criteria
| Requirement | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 18 years of age |
| Nationality | Foreign national, or stateless person (individual not currently holding any nationality) |
| Health | Good health with no communicable diseases (medical certificate required) |
| Character | Clean criminal record with no serious offences |
| Financial Standing | Legitimate funds sufficient to complete the qualifying investment |
| Source of Funds | Lawful and verifiable source of investment funds |
| Due Diligence | Must pass comprehensive background screening |
Qualifying Dependants
The program permits the inclusion of qualifying family members within a single application:
Legally married spouse of the principal applicant (marriage certificate required)
Biological or legally adopted children of the principal applicant or spouse
Parents of the principal applicant or spouse who are financially dependent
The base investment covers the principal applicant plus up to 3 family members (total of 4 persons). Each additional qualifying dependant requires a supplementary contribution of USD 5,000.
Investment Options
The program offers a single investment route through a contribution to the National Transformation Fund, which supports sustainable development projects across the islands.
Government Fees and Costs
| Fee Type | Amount (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Application Fee | 5,000 | Per application, payable upon submission |
| Single Applicant Contribution | 90,000 | National Transformation Fund |
| Family of 2 to 4 Contribution | 95,000 | National Transformation Fund |
| Each Additional Dependant | 5,000 | Per qualifying dependant beyond 4 family members |
| Citizenship Documents | 750 | Per applicant (registration certificate, passport, national ID) |
Post-Approval Inclusion Fees
| Dependant Type | Fee (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Spouse of Citizen | 10,000 | Post-approval inclusion |
| Qualifying Dependant | 5,000 | Post-approval inclusion |
| Newborn Child (up to 1 year) | 500 | Post-approval inclusion |
Note: Legal and administrative fees are not included in the government fees. Documents requiring translation and certification (Apostille or equivalent) will incur additional costs.
Program Benefits
Applications are typically processed within two months of full submission.
Permitted without requirement to renounce existing nationality.
Sao Tome and Principe citizenship passes to all future generations born after the grant.
Spouse, children, and parents eligible for citizenship in a single application.
One of the few programs globally that accepts individuals who hold no current nationality.
Consistently ranked among the world's most peaceful countries with stable democratic governance.
Contributions directly support renewable energy, eco-tourism, and infrastructure development.
Organized procedures and efficient processing through authorized marketing agents.
CPLP Membership Benefits
Sao Tome and Principe citizenship provides special opportunities for residence, work, and study in CPLP member states, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, representing more than 280 million people across four continents.
CPLP Member States (9 Members):
- Portugal
- Brazil
- Angola
- Mozambique
- Guinea-Bissau
- Cape Verde
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Timor-Leste
- Equatorial Guinea
Application Process
Applications must be submitted through authorized marketing agents. NTL is a licensed authorized marketing agent for submissions to the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Select Your Authorized Marketing Agent
Select an authorized agent to guide you through the entire application process, providing professional advisory services and communication with the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Gather Required Documentation
Identity documents, police clearance certificates, source of funds documentation, medical certificates, and supporting documents for all applicants and dependants.
Submit Citizenship Application
Upon completion and payment of the application fee, the application is submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit through your authorized marketing agent.
Due Diligence Screening
The government conducts comprehensive background checks covering identity verification, source of funds, criminal record, and security clearance.
Eligibility Decision Communicated
The Government of Sao Tome and Principe communicates the outcome to your marketing agent. Upon preliminary approval, the investment is completed.
Complete Investment
Following preliminary approval, complete the National Transformation Fund contribution and pay all outstanding government fees.
Citizenship Grant and Document Issuance
Upon completion of the investment and payment of all fees, the government issues the registration certificate, passport, and national identity card.
Required Documents
Identity Documents
- Valid passport or travel document (certified copy of all pages)
- Birth certificate for all applicants
- National identity card where applicable
- Recent passport-size photographs
Civil Status Documents
- Marriage certificate for inclusion of spouse
- Divorce decree or death certificate where applicable
- Birth certificates for all dependent children
- Legal adoption documents where applicable
- Proof of financial dependency for dependent parents
Police Clearance Certificates
- Certificate from country of nationality
- Certificate from country of residence if different from nationality
- Certificates from countries of extended prior residence
- All certificates must be Apostilled or legally authenticated
Financial Documents
- Bank statements demonstrating source of investment funds
- Source of wealth documentation (employment records, business ownership, inheritance, asset sales)
- Bank and professional reference letters
- Proof of net worth
- Tax returns or tax clearance certificates where applicable
Medical Certificates
- Medical examination report from a licensed physician
- Confirmation of no communicable diseases
All documents must be Apostilled or legally authenticated by the competent authority in the country of origin. Documents in languages other than Portuguese or English require certified translation by accredited translators.
NTL International: Authorized Marketing Agent Services
NTL International is an authorized marketing agent for the Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Program, providing comprehensive application support with established relationships with the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Eligibility and Financial Assessment
Comprehensive review of applicant eligibility, family composition, investment suitability, and program objectives.
Program Guidance and Planning
Detailed explanation of the National Transformation Fund contribution, processing timeline, CPLP benefits, and citizenship advantages.
Document Preparation and Review
Full document collection, verification, translation, Apostille coordination, and application form preparation.
Source of Funds Documentation
Guidance on preparing comprehensive source of wealth and source of funds documentation to meet due diligence requirements.
Application Submission and Management
Submission of the complete application package to the Citizenship by Investment Unit with ongoing communication throughout the processing period.
Investment Completion and Document Issuance Support
Coordination of fund contribution following preliminary approval, and support for issuance of citizenship certificate, passport, and national identity card.
Related Citizenship by Investment Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The Sao Tome and Principe program accepts applications from stateless persons, meaning individuals who do not currently hold any nationality. This is one of the few programs globally that offers this possibility, providing such individuals with a fully recognized international citizenship and all associated benefits, including a passport and CPLP membership.
The minimum investment is USD 90,000 for a single applicant, or USD 95,000 for a family of 2 to 4 persons, plus a USD 5,000 application fee and USD 750 per applicant for citizenship documents (registration certificate, passport, national identity card).
Applications are typically processed within two months of full submission. Actual timelines vary based on application complexity and due diligence requirements.
CPLP is the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, a regional organization comprising 9 Portuguese-speaking nations. Sao Tome and Principe citizenship provides special opportunities for residence, work, and study across CPLP member states, including Portugal, Brazil, Angola, and Mozambique, representing more than 280 million people across four continents.
Yes. Sao Tome and Principe permits dual citizenship. Applicants are not required to renounce their existing nationality. Citizenship also passes by descent to all future generations born after the grant.
Qualifying dependants include the spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents of the principal applicant. The base investment covers the principal applicant plus up to 3 family members (total of 4 persons). Each additional qualifying dependant requires a supplementary contribution of USD 5,000.
Yes. Post-approval inclusion is available for qualifying dependants added after the preliminary approval is issued. Fees are USD 10,000 for a spouse, USD 5,000 for a qualifying dependant, and USD 500 for a newborn child up to one year of age.
The National Transformation Fund supports sustainable development projects across Sao Tome and Principe, including renewable energy initiatives, eco-tourism development, education, infrastructure, environmental conservation, and economic self-sufficiency programs. Contributions are non-refundable and permanent.
Yes. Applications must be submitted through authorized marketing agents. The agent acts as your partner throughout the entire process, providing guidance, document preparation support, and direct communication with the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Schedule Your Consultation
Our specialized team is ready to assess your eligibility and guide you through every step of the process.
About NTL International
NTL International is a government-authorized agent for Citizenship by Investment programs, providing specialized advisory services to high-net-worth investors and their families seeking global mobility solutions.
Our Services Include:
- Eligibility and financial assessment for Citizenship by Investment programs
- Preparation and review of source of funds and source of wealth documentation
- Application management and direct communication with government authorities
- Residency by Investment program advisory through our specialized legal team
- Post-approval support and citizenship document acquisition
The Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment Program operates under the authority of the Government of Sao Tome and Principe and is subject to amendment. Program requirements, investment thresholds, fees, and procedures may change by government decision.
All applications must be submitted through authorized marketing agents. Applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit. NTL International provides professional advisory services to support compliant applications subject to government due diligence procedures.