Program Verification Snapshot

Introduction

São Tomé and Príncipe launched its Citizenship by Investment program on August 1, 2025, under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, marking the first African citizenship by investment program in the Gulf of Guinea region. The program provides a pathway to second citizenship through economic contribution to a National Transformation Fund, with a minimum investment threshold of USD 90,000 for single applicants.

The program operates through a Citizenship Investment Unit based in Dubai, structured as a public-private partnership with the government of São Tomé and Príncipe. This administrative model mirrors approaches used in several other citizenship by investment jurisdictions, where specialized units handle application processing, due diligence coordination, and compliance verification.

As an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea with the structural constraints typical of small island developing states, São Tomé and Príncipe's entry into the citizenship by investment sector represents a development strategy employed by several smaller jurisdictions seeking alternative revenue sources and foreign direct investment channels.

Legal Framework and Effective Date

The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program operates under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, which was approved by the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe in May 2025. The legislation became effective on August 1, 2025, following its publication in the Official Gazette of São Tomé and Príncipe.

The legal instrument establishes the framework for granting citizenship through economic contribution, specifically through a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund. The program is administered by a Citizenship Investment Unit, which operates as a designated entity responsible for application processing, due diligence coordination, and compliance verification.

The enabling legislation provides for citizenship to be granted through investment contribution, subject to meeting specified eligibility criteria, passing comprehensive due diligence checks, and fulfilling the financial requirements established under the program framework.

Country Context and Strategic Considerations

Geographic and Economic Profile

São Tomé and Príncipe is an archipelago nation in the Gulf of Guinea, consisting of two main islands and several smaller islets. The country has a limited land area and a small domestic market, characteristics typical of small island developing states. The economy is sensitive to external financing conditions, import costs, and connectivity constraints.

The country is a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), along with Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and East Timor. Portuguese is the official language, and the legal system reflects Portuguese civil law traditions.

Investor Context and Due Diligence Considerations

Prospective applicants should assess several factors when evaluating the program:

• Banking Relationships: Consideration of international banking acceptance and correspondent banking relationships for São Tomé and Príncipe passport holders
• Document Authentication: Verification of document legalization or apostille requirements for international use of citizenship documents
• Regulatory Transparency: Assessment of the transparency and accessibility of public institutions and official documentation
• Cross-Border Recognition: Evaluation of the reliability and international recognition of São Tomé and Príncipe identity documents

Investment Requirements and Cost Structure

Qualifying Investment Route

The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program offers a single principal investment route based on a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund. No alternative real estate or business investment routes have been confirmed in official sources as of January 2026.

Minimum Contribution Requirements

Associated Fees and Total Cost Structure

In addition to the minimum investment contribution, applicants should budget for the following fees:

• Processing Fee: USD 5,000 per application (submission and government review)
• Issuance Costs: USD 750 per person (passport, national ID card, and registration certificate)
• Legal and Advisory Fees: Professional fees for legal counsel, due diligence preparation, and compliance services (not included in government fees)

Illustrative Total Investment Examples

Important Note: The figures above represent government fees only and do not include legal and advisory fees, document preparation costs, translation and authentication expenses, or other professional service fees that may apply.

Eligibility Criteria and Documentation Requirements

Main Applicant Eligibility Criteria

The main applicant for São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship must meet the following requirements:

• Age Requirement: Must be at least 18 years old at the time of application
• Health Status: Must be in good health with no communicable diseases, as evidenced by a mandatory medical certificate from a licensed physician
• Character Requirement: Must demonstrate good character with no serious criminal record or convictions for crimes involving moral turpitude
• Financial Capacity: Must demonstrate sufficient lawful funds to complete the qualifying investment and meet the minimum contribution requirement
• Source of Funds: Must provide legal and verifiable evidence of the source of investment funds
• Due Diligence: Must successfully pass comprehensive due diligence and background checks conducted by the Citizenship Investment Unit

Eligible Dependents

The São Tomé and Príncipe CBI program allows eligible dependents to be included within a single family application. Qualifying dependents include:

• Spouse: Legally married spouse of the main applicant, supported by a valid marriage certificate
• Children: Biological or legally adopted children of the main applicant or spouse, typically under age 18 or under age 25 if in full-time education
• Dependent Parents: Parents of the main applicant or spouse who are financially dependent on the main applicant

Verification Note: Specific age limits and dependency criteria should be verified against official program guidance, as these may be subject to detailed requirements in implementing regulations.

Required Documentation

Applicants must provide comprehensive documentation to support their citizenship application:

Identity and Civil Status Documents

• Certified copies of valid passports for all applicants
• Birth certificates for all applicants
• Marriage certificate (if applicable)
• Divorce decree or death certificate of former spouse (if applicable)
• Adoption papers (if applicable)

Background and Integrity Checks

• Police clearance certificates from country of citizenship and any country of residence in the past 10 years
• Criminal record checks from relevant jurisdictions
• Professional references and character attestations

Health Documentation

• Medical certificates from licensed physicians
• Confirmation of good health status
• Certification of no communicable diseases

Residential and Address Verification

• Proof of current residential address (utility bill, bank statement, or government-issued document)
• Residential history for the past 10 years

Financial Documentation

• Evidence of lawful source of funds (employment records, business documentation, investment statements)
• Bank references from recognized financial institutions
• Bank statements for the past 6-12 months
• Proof of financial capacity to complete the investment
• Tax returns or financial statements (if applicable)

Document Authentication Requirements

All documents must be properly authenticated for international use through either:

• Apostille: For countries that are parties to the Hague Apostille Convention
• Legalization: Through consular legalization for countries not party to the Apostille Convention
• Translation: All documents not in Portuguese must be translated by certified translators and properly authenticated

Application Process and Reported Timelines

Overview of the Application Framework

The São Tomé and Príncipe program operates through a structured application framework administered by the Citizenship Investment Unit. According to program documentation, applications undergo pre-screening for eligibility, followed by comprehensive document verification and authentication requirements. The Citizenship Investment Unit conducts due diligence procedures that include background checks, source of funds verification, and integrity screening before applications proceed to government review.

Upon conditional approval, applicants complete the investment contribution to the National Transformation Fund. Following payment confirmation, the government issues citizenship documentation, including the citizenship certificate, passport, and national identity card. The final issuance stage requires payment of USD 750 per person for document processing and production.

Reported Processing Timelines

Industry sources report that the program targets a processing timeframe of 6-8 weeks from complete application submission to citizenship approval in standard cases. The end-to-end timeline, including document preparation and post-approval issuance, is estimated at 3-4 months, though this varies based on individual case complexity and documentation readiness.

Processing times are subject to several variables, including the completeness of submitted documentation, the complexity of due diligence requirements, administrative capacity of the Citizenship Investment Unit, and any additional information requests during the review process. These timelines represent estimates based on industry reports and are not guaranteed by government authorities.

Program Features and Legal Framework Analysis

Citizenship Status and Permanence

Citizenship granted under the São Tomé and Príncipe program is described as permanent and inheritable, subject to the applicable nationality legislation and any implementing regulations in force at the time of grant. Applicants should verify the specific terms of citizenship permanence and any conditions for retention or transmission to future generations through official sources or qualified legal counsel.

Dual Citizenship Recognition

Dual citizenship is indicated as permitted under the program framework. São Tomé and Príncipe recognizes dual citizenship, allowing individuals to maintain their original nationality while acquiring São Tomé citizenship. However, applicants must verify compatibility with the nationality laws of their country of origin, as some jurisdictions impose restrictions on dual citizenship or require notification of acquisition of second citizenship.

Travel and Mobility Profile

International travel access for São Tomé and Príncipe passport holders is often referenced using third-party passport index estimates, which are not official government publications and remain subject to change. As of January 2026, the São Tomé and Príncipe passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to a number of destinations, though major regions such as the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia generally require advance visa applications.

Prospective applicants should conduct independent verification of visa requirements and travel access through official government sources of destination countries, as visa policies are subject to change and third-party indices may not reflect current requirements.

Tax Considerations

Any references to potential tax advantages associated with São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship must be treated with caution, as tax outcomes depend on actual tax residency, economic substance, presence, and individual circumstances. Tax residency is determined by the tax laws of each relevant jurisdiction and is distinct from citizenship or nominal residence.

Applicants should seek confirmation from relevant tax authorities and advice from qualified tax professionals regarding their specific tax obligations before making any assumptions about tax treatment based on citizenship alone.

Family Inclusion and Succession Planning

The São Tomé and Príncipe program allows citizenship to extend to eligible family members through a single application, including spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents. Citizenship may be transmitted to future generations born after citizenship grant, supporting long-term family planning objectives.

The structured pricing for family applications (USD 95,000 for 2-4 members, USD 5,000 per additional dependent) provides a cost-effective approach for families seeking second citizenship for multiple generations.

CPLP Membership Context

São Tomé and Príncipe's membership in the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) is noted as a contextual advantage, as it provides cultural and linguistic connections to other Portuguese-speaking nations. However, CPLP membership does not constitute automatic residency or immigration rights in other member states, which remain subject to each country's domestic immigration laws.

Applicants should not assume that São Tomé citizenship provides automatic access to Portugal, Brazil, or other CPLP member states without meeting the specific immigration requirements of those jurisdictions.

Conclusion

The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program represents a new addition to the African citizenship by investment landscape, with its legal framework established under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 effective from August 1, 2025. The program's structure centers on economic contribution to the National Transformation Fund, with a minimum investment threshold of USD 90,000 for single applicants and structured pricing for family applications.

The program's reported processing timelines of 6-8 weeks for approval, combined with its family inclusion provisions and dual citizenship recognition, position it as an option for applicants seeking second citizenship through economic investment. However, as with any citizenship by investment program, prospective applicants face considerations regarding regulatory certainty, international recognition of identity documents, banking relationships, and cross-border document authentication requirements.

The program's administration through a Dubai-based Citizenship Investment Unit operating as a public-private partnership with the government represents a structural approach seen in several other citizenship by investment jurisdictions. The long-term viability and international acceptance of the program will depend on the strength of its due diligence procedures, the transparency of its operations, and its alignment with international regulatory standards for citizenship by investment programs.