No. There is no residence or relocation requirement during or after the application process.
Important Fraud Warning
Beware of Unauthorized Websites. Click here for details.
São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment
About the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program
São Tomé and Príncipe is a sovereign island nation in the Gulf of Guinea and a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). Its Citizenship by Investment Program is established under Nationality Law No. 07/2022 and Decree-Law No. 07/2025 and is run by the government’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). The program officially launched in early 2026.
Applicants make a one-time donation to the National Transformation Fund, which finances sustainable development projects, and can include their family in a single application.
Advantages of São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship
- One of the lowest entry points of any citizenship by investment program: from USD 90,000 for a single applicant
- Fast processing: decisions in about 2 months on average, and the passport about 3–4 months after approval (around 5–6 months in total)
- Visa-free access to more than 93 countries and territories, including Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa
- No residence requirement before or after applying
- No need to give up your existing nationality (check your current country’s rules)
- Spouse, children up to 30, and parents and grandparents can be included in one application
- Citizenship can be passed on to future generations
- CPLP membership brings special residence, work and study opportunities in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal and Brazil
Eligibility Requirements
- Main applicant aged 18 or over
- No criminal record
- Proof of the lawful source of the funds
- Pass comprehensive due diligence checks
- Qualifying dependants: spouse (monogamous marriage or de facto partner), children up to age 30, and parents and grandparents (aged 55 or over according to the official FAQ)
Investment Requirements
Donation to the National Transformation Fund (paid after approval in principle)
- Single applicant: USD 90,000
- Family of 2–4: USD 95,000
- Each additional dependant: + USD 5,000
- Citizenship documents: USD 750 per dependant
Submission fee: USD 5,000 per application
Adding family members after approval in principle
- Spouse of a citizen: USD 10,000
- Qualifying dependant: USD 5,000
- Newborn child of a citizen (up to 1 year old): USD 500
These are the government amounts published by the programme; professional service fees and other costs are separate.
Processing Time
According to the programme, decisions take about 2 months on average, and issuing the passport after approval currently takes about 3–4 months. Actual timing depends on document completeness and the outcome of due diligence.
São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Application Process
Eligibility Assessment: contact John Hu Migration for an initial consultation on whether the program suits you and your family.
Document Preparation: passport and national ID, birth certificate, civil status documents, police certificates, bank statements and source-of-funds evidence, and photos.
Submission: the application is lodged with the Citizenship by Investment Unit through a licensed Marketing Agent (USD 5,000 submission fee).
Due Diligence: the government carries out full background checks on all applicants.
Approval in Principle: once approved, the donation to the National Transformation Fund is paid.
Citizenship Documents: the government issues the official citizenship documents.
Passport: the São Tomé and Príncipe passport is issued and delivered to the applicant.
Want to know if you are eligible to apply? Call 3568 1436/ WhatsApp 9178 8523 now for a free preliminary assessment!
Other Citizenship by Investment Options
Comparing second-citizenship options? Alongside São Tomé and Príncipe, these are the programs our clients ask about most:
- Recommended: Turkey Citizenship by Investment: buy real estate worth USD 400,000 or more and hold it for 3 years; your spouse and children under 18 are included, and the Turkish passport opens the US E-2 treaty investor visa route.
- Nauru Economic Citizenship: from USD 105,000 for a single applicant, about 3–4 months, visa-free access to around 85 countries and territories.
- Argentina Citizenship by Investment: from USD 350,000, with applications expected to open in Q4 2026.
São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment FAQ
- Do I need to live in São Tomé and Príncipe?
- Which family members can be included?
A spouse or de facto partner, children up to age 30, and parents and grandparents (aged 55 or over according to the official FAQ) can be included in one application. Eligible dependants can also be added later for an additional fee.
- How much does it cost?
The donation to the National Transformation Fund is USD 90,000 for a single applicant or USD 95,000 for a family of 2–4, plus USD 5,000 for each additional dependant. There is also a USD 5,000 submission fee per application and USD 750 for citizenship documents per dependant. Professional fees are separate.
- Where can I travel visa-free with a São Tomé and Príncipe passport?
The programme states visa-free access to more than 93 countries and territories, including Hong Kong, Singapore and South Africa. Entry rules can change, so check the latest requirements before travelling.
- How long does it take?
Decisions take about 2 months on average, and the passport currently follows about 3–4 months after approval, so around 5–6 months in total. This depends on each case and is not guaranteed.
- Is the program legal?
Yes. It is established under Nationality Law No. 07/2022 and Decree-Law No. 07/2025 and is administered by the government's Citizenship by Investment Unit.