Citizenship by investment in São Tomé and PríncipeOverview
São Tomé and Príncipe, a Portuguese-speaking island state in the Gulf of Guinea, introduced citizenship by investment in September 2025 to finance national development through its National Transformation Fund. The programme is run by a Citizenship by Investment Unit, with operational headquarters in Dubai and an office in São Tomé that coordinates with national institutions. Applications are submitted through licensed representatives and are subject to background and source-of-funds checks.
The programme reported strong initial demand. According to its first-year report, published in September 2026, 548 applications were received from 72 nationalities, 350 were approved and 12 refused, with 117 citizenships formally granted and 29 passports issued by that date. The fastest approval took 26 days; the average was about two months to approval and four months to passport. Passport issuance has lagged approvals, and the unit has said it is working to streamline post-approval steps. A legislative amendment in January 2026 enabled national identity cards and passports to be issued remotely.
Contributions fund projects such as power generation, water supply, waste management and digitalisation of public services. The non-refundable contribution starts at USD 90,000 for a single applicant, with family pricing set by the unit; government submission, registration, identity card and passport fees are payable in addition.
The São Tomé passport has relatively limited visa-free access and does not include the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the United States or Canada. Its appeal lies mainly in cost, speed and connections to the Lusophone and African world. As a young programme, it carries the uncertainties typical of new schemes, including possible scrutiny from major visa-issuing states, and should be considered as one element of a broader plan.
Key benefits
- Among the lowest entry contributions of any current citizenship programme
- No residence or visit requirement
- Remote issuance of identity cards and passports since January 2026
- Inclusive family definition, including dependent adult children and older parents
- Dual citizenship permitted
- Connection to the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and West-Central Africa
Requirements
- Principal applicant aged 18 or over
- Application through a licensed representative of the CIU
- Clean criminal record and successful due diligence
- Verifiable lawful source of funds
- Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund
- Payment of submission, registration, identity card and passport fees
- Complete civil documentation for all dependants
Investment options
Single applicant
USD 90,000
Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund for the main applicant.
Family of up to four
USD 95,000
Main applicant with spouse and dependants, up to four persons in total.
Additional dependants
USD 5,000 each
Each further dependant beyond the family of four, plus per-person government fees.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Suitability review
We assess whether the programme fits the family's objectives and explain mobility limits and programme risks.
- 2
Document preparation
Civil, police and financial documents are gathered, translated and certified.
- 3
Submission to the CIU
A licensed representative lodges the application with the submission fee.
- 4
Due diligence
The CIU conducts background and source-of-funds checks on the applicant and adult dependants.
- 5
Approval and contribution
Following approval, the contribution is paid to the National Transformation Fund.
- 6
Registration and passport
Certificates of registration, identity cards and passports are issued, now possible remotely.
Typical documents
- Valid passports for all applicants
- Birth and marriage certificates, translated where required
- Police clearance certificates
- Proof of residential address
- Source of funds and source of wealth evidence
- Bank reference letter
- Evidence of financial dependency for adult dependants
- Photographs and completed application forms
How Legal Wealth helps
Legal Wealth helps families decide whether a new, low-cost programme such as São Tomé and Príncipe's belongs in their planning. We set out the mobility limits and programme risks plainly, assemble a complete and verifiable source-of-wealth file, and coordinate with licensed representatives so that each stage is handled accurately and discreetly. We also look at how an additional nationality sits alongside existing passports, residence arrangements and succession structures.
Enquire with Legal WealthFrequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
The contribution starts at USD 90,000 for a single applicant, with government fees for submission, registration, identity cards and passports payable in addition.
How long does it take?
First-year data showed an average of about two months to approval and four months to passport, although post-approval steps have at times taken longer.
Do I need to travel to São Tomé?
No residence is required, and remote issuance of identity cards and passports became possible in January 2026.
Does the passport give visa-free access to Europe?
No. Visas are required for the Schengen Area, the UK, the US and Canada.
Who can be included as a dependant?
Spouse, minor children, financially dependent children under 30 and dependent parents or grandparents over 55, subject to due diligence.
Last reviewed: 2026-10. Requirements, fees and timelines change. Information is general, reviewed on the date shown, and is not legal or tax advice.
