São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment

Overview

The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program grants full citizenship to foreign nationals who make a non-refundable contribution to the country’s National Transformation Fund, starting at US$90,000 for a single applicant. 

As a member of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship confers preferential treatment and simplified residence rights across nine Portuguese-speaking nations including Portugal and Brazil.

The main applicant can include a spouse, unmarried children up to 30 years of age, and parents aged 55 and above. Future newborn children may be added after citizenship is granted for US$500.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age, hold a clean criminal record, pass due diligence checks, and demonstrate a lawful source of funds. 

Citizens of North Korea are not eligible; all other nationalities including Russian and Iranian nationals may apply. 

Cryptocurrency is accepted as proof of source of funds, provided the actual payment is made in US dollars. 

The contribution is payable only after the Approval in Principle is issued; no funds are disbursed prior to official approval.

Investment Structure

• Single applicant: US$90,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund, paid after Approval in Principle
• Family of 2 to 4 persons: US$95,000 total, paid after Approval in Principle
• Each additional dependent from the 5th person onwards: US$5,000 per person
• Non-refundable submission fee of US$5,000 per application regardless of family size, payable before due diligence commences

Government Fees Per Person

• Passport: US$350
• National identity card: US$150
• Certificate of registration: US$250

Eligible Dependents

• Spouse
• Unmarried and financially dependent children up to 30 years of age
• Parents aged 55 and above
• Future newborn children: US$500 per child added after initial citizenship issuance

Adding Dependents After Approval

• Spouse added post-approval: US$10,000 plus re-submission fee of US$5,000
• Other qualifying dependents added post-approval: US$5,000 plus re-submission fee of US$5,000

Route to Citizenship

The program grants full São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship directly upon approval, with no prior residency or waiting period. The President of São Tomé and Príncipe confirms citizenship grants, with the Citizenship Investment Unit issuing the Approval in Principle before final confirmation. 

Citizenship is irrevocable once granted and passes by descent to all future generations, including children born after the citizenship is obtained.

São Tomé and Príncipe permits dual nationality. Applicants are not required to relinquish their prior citizenship.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

São Tomé and Príncipe citizens can access approximately 61 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Morocco, Tunisia, and Angola. 

As a CPLP member, São Tomé and Príncipe citizens benefit from preferential treatment in nine Portuguese-speaking nations: simplified visa processing for Portugal and Brazil, the ability to enter Portugal without a prior visa and apply for residence permits in-country, and preferential treatment in Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, and East Timor. 

Tax

São Tomé and Príncipe does not impose taxes on worldwide income, dividends, capital gains, or inheritance for non-residents. 

Citizens who do not reside in São Tomé and Príncipe are not considered tax residents and are not subject to São Tomé and Príncipe personal income tax on income derived outside the country. There is no wealth tax. 

How to Apply

The program is administered by the Citizenship Investment Unit under Decree-Law No. 07/2025, in coordination with the government’s Promotion, Commerce and Investment Agency (APCI).

Applications must be submitted through a licensed marketing agent; applications from unlicensed intermediaries are rejected. The Citizenship Investment Unit is headquartered in Dubai and processes all applications remotely. 

The process typically runs as follows.

• Step 1: Engage a licensed marketing agent; complete an initial eligibility assessment and receive a tailored document checklist.
• Step 2: Compile and submit the complete application package, including a valid passport copy, passport-sized photograph, proof of residential address, criminal record certificate, proof of lawful source of funds, birth certificate, marriage certificate if applicable, and all corresponding documents for included dependents; documents not in English or Portuguese must be accompanied by a certified translation; pay the non-refundable submission fee of US$5,000.
• Step 3: The Citizenship Investment Unit conducts due diligence and background checks; additional documentation or a clarification call may be requested; this stage typically takes four to five weeks.
• Step 4: Receive the Approval in Principle from the Citizenship Investment Unit; transfer the applicable contribution to the National Transformation Fund as confirmed in the approval.
• Step 5: Receive the Certificate of Naturalization, São Tomé and Príncipe passport, and national identity card; government fees of US$350 per passport, US$150 per national identity card, and US$250 per certificate of registration apply; all documents are delivered by secure courier to any country worldwide.