São Tomé & Príncipe

The São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program delivers a carefully curated set of advantages designed for investors prioritizing global mobility, security, sustainability, and long-term family planning.

Minimum Requirements:

• No residence or physical stay requirements
• No language, education, or interview obligations
• Dual citizenship permitted
• Straightforward and streamlined due diligence process
• Entirely remote
• The program accepts stateless individuals and those who have an expired passport, with the only restricted nationality being North Korea

Financial & Asset Planning Benefits:

• If you don’t become a tax resident in São Tomé & Príncipe, your foreign-sourced income is generally not taxed there, making this attractive for global asset planners
• Citizenship may be held for life and passed to future generations
• Confidential and government-regulated application process
• Strategic second-citizenship option for wealth preservation and diversification

Lifestyle & Travel Advantages:

• Visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to a growing list of 60+ countries across Africa, the Caribbean, parts of Asia, and the Americas
• A practical second passport supporting regional mobility and business travel convenience
• Eligibility extends to a spouse, dependent children under 30, and qualifying family members, such as parents aged 55 and over
• Citizenship provides the right to live, work, and study in São Tomé & Príncipe
• Peaceful island destination known for pristine nature, eco-tourism, and a relaxed lifestyle

Business & Strategic Advantages:

• Opportunity to participate in an emerging market economy focused on sustainable tourism, blue economy, and green investment
• Access to new commercial channels across Africa and the Atlantic region
• Supportive government agenda for foreign investment and international partnership
• Politically stable environment committed to responsible development
• Contributions go to the National Transformation Fund (NTF), which finances renewable energy, infrastructure, education, healthcare, and other public-interest projects 

São Tomé & Príncipe is a member of the CPLP (Community of Portuguese Language Countries). Under the CPLP Mobility Agreement, citizens of CPLP states (including São Tomé) benefit from streamlined residence permits and easier visa processes in Portugal and Brazil, compared with non-CPLP nationals.

This means that, as a citizen of a CPLP country, you may have facilitated access to Portuguese residency routes (and possibly faster naturalization), but you still must meet the requirements imposed by Portuguese immigration laws, not automatic.

Africa’s newest Citizenship by Investment program offers a single, streamlined investment route to obtain citizenship, ensuring a clear, efficient, and transparent process that delivers direct positive impact to the nation’s development agenda.

National Development Contribution (NDC)

The National Development Contribution supports government-approved initiatives that advance São Tomé & Príncipe’s sustainable economic growth, such as eco-tourism infrastructure, social development programs, and environmental conservation.

By making a non-refundable contribution to the state, qualified investors and their families become eligible for full citizenship and a São Tomé & Príncipe passport.

This pathway is ideal for those seeking the simplest and most efficient route to second citizenship with minimal ongoing obligations.

Investment Amounts

• Single Applicant: $90,000 non-refundable donation
• Family of up to 4 persons: $95,000 total bundled contribution
• Additional dependent: $5,000 each

Application Fees (passport, ID, certificate)

• Application / Submission Fee: $5,000 per application
• Post-approval issuance fees (per person):
  • Passport: approx. $350
  • National ID: approx. $150
  • Certificate of Registration: approx. $250

To qualify for São Tomé & Príncipe’s Citizenship by Investment Program, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be of good character with no criminal record
• Be in good health
• Demonstrate the financial means to make the required investment

Application Process

The São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program follows a clearly defined, government-regulated process designed to ensure security, transparency, and efficiency from start to finish. From initial assessment to passport issuance, the entire procedure is handled remotely through licensed agents and typically takes between 6 and 8 weeks from submission to approval, subject to standard due diligence and document verification timelines.

Step 1: Initial Consultation and Eligibility Review
The process begins with a confidential consultation to assess the applicant’s background, eligible family members, and overall eligibility under the program’s regulations. At this stage, requirements are clarified, potential red flags are identified early, and the most appropriate application structure is confirmed.

Step 2: Document Preparation and Legalization
Applicants compile the required documentation, including identity, civil status, financial, and background records. All documents must be properly notarized, apostilled, and translated where necessary to meet government submission standards.

Step 3: Submission via Authorized Government Agent
Applications are submitted exclusively through agents licensed by the Government of São Tomé & Príncipe. The authorized agent reviews the file for completeness and compliance before formally lodging the application with the relevant authorities.

Step 4: Due Diligence and Approval-in-Principle
Government-appointed bodies conduct thorough due diligence and background checks on all applicants. Upon successful completion, an approval-in-principle is issued, confirming that the applicant has met all legal and regulatory requirements.

Step 5: National Development Contribution and Final Formalities
Following approval-in-principle, the applicant makes the required non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund and settles any remaining government fees. Final administrative formalities are completed at this stage prior to citizenship confirmation.

Step 6: Citizenship, ID, and Passport Issuance
Once the contribution is confirmed, citizenship is formally granted, and official documents are issued.

Required Documents

Applicants must provide a comprehensive set of documents supporting their application, all notarized and legalized where applicable. Typical requirements include:

• Completed government application forms
• Valid passports and birth certificates for all applicants
• Proof of payment for application and due diligence fees
• Police clearance certificate(s) for applicants aged 16+
• Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable)
• Professional and bank reference letters
• Recent proof of residential address (e.g., lease, utility bill, bank statement)
• Six passport-sized color photographs
• Medical examination report
• Custody or guardianship documentation (if applicable)
• Sworn affidavit of support for dependents
• Certified copies of academic or professional qualifications
• Translations and legalizations for any non-Portuguese or non-English documents

São Tomé & Príncipe Passport

Once issued, the São Tomé & Príncipe passport grants the right to live, work, and study in the country, along with access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 60+ destinations worldwide.

Citizenship is lifelong, hereditary, and may be renewed indefinitely through standard renewal procedures at authorized government offices or consular posts.

São Tomé & Príncipe is a breathtaking island nation set in the heart of the Gulf of Guinea, where lush volcanic landscapes meet pristine tropical shores. Once a Portuguese colony, the country gained independence in 1975 and has since emerged as one of Africa’s most peaceful and stable island destinations.

Blessed with extraordinary biodiversity, the islands are home to emerald rainforests, soaring volcanic peaks, and secluded beaches that feel wonderfully untouched. 

Nature lovers will find magic here, from sea turtles nesting on quiet sands to rare bird species thriving in dense green canopies. On Príncipe Island, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, dramatic rock formations rise from turquoise seas, creating some of the most spectacular scenery on the African continent.

Vibrant local towns like São Tomé city offer a warm, laid-back lifestyle with colorful markets, oceanfront cafés, and a growing culinary scene shaped by Portuguese and African influences. With a year-round tropical climate, friendly communities, and a slower, healthier pace of life, São Tomé & Príncipe is a serene escape and an inspiring place to call a second home.