São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment in 2026

São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, off the western coast of Africa. Once an important hub of the Portuguese colonial empire, today it stands as one of the most stable and secure countries in the region. Preserving the Portuguese language and European legal traditions, São Tomé and Príncipe offers investors a rare combination of natural beauty, political stability, and a favourable tax environment.

In August 2025, São Tomé and Príncipe launched a national citizenship-by-investment programme aimed at attracting foreign direct investment and diversifying the country’s economy. The programme provides an opportunity to obtain a second passport with access to 59 destinations without a visa obtained in advance as of 30 September 2026, including visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorisations. Citizenship provides the right to conduct business and own property in São Tomé and Príncipe; rights abroad depend on the rules of the country concerned.

How to Obtain São Tomé Citizenship by Investment

Citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe offers the opportunity to obtain a second passport from a tropical country with visa-free access to dozens of destinations worldwide. The programme is open to investors who value stability, security, and confidentiality. There is no residency requirement or language test. Remote issuance of identity documents requires video verification coordinated by the CIU.

Eligibility Requirements

• Be of legal age (18 years or older).
• Possess an impeccable reputation with no criminal record.
• Provide evidence of the lawful origin of funds.
• Undergo and pass a comprehensive due diligence check.
• Make the required contribution to the National Transformation Fund.
• Submit a complete application package through an authorised agency.
• Not hold citizenship of a country under international sanctions or excluded from participation in the programme (currently only North Korea).

Investment Options

Required Documents

For the principal applicant:

• A valid passport (with at least six months’ validity remaining).
• Birth certificate.
• Police clearance certificate(s) from the country of citizenship and any countries of residence during the past five years.
• Medical certificate confirming good health (including an HIV test).
• Proof of source and legality of funds (such as bank statements, tax returns, or other financial records).
• Reference letters (from a bank or employer).
• Documents confirming marital status (marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable).
• Passport-size photographs.
• Signed application forms and a power of attorney authorising the licensed representative.

Additional documents for family members

For the spouse:

• Valid passport.
• Marriage certificate.
• Police clearance certificate.
• Medical certificate.

For eligible children:

• Birth certificate.
• Passport (if available).
• Proof of dependency on the principal applicant (e. g. certificate of enrolment at an educational institution).
• Medical certificate.

For parents (aged 55 and over):

• Passport.
• Principal applicant’s birth certificate (to confirm relationship).
• Medical certificate.
• Proof of financial dependency.

All documents submitted as part of the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship application must be translated into Portuguese or English if the originals are issued in another language. Translations must be notarised, and in certain cases, an apostille is required on both the originals and the translations — depending on the country of issue and the requirements of the programme’s competent authorities.

Cost of Obtaining Citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe

1. Application (submission) fee: USD 5,000.
2. Donation to the National Transformation Fund: single applicant — USD 90,000, family of 2–4 members — USD 95,000. Each additional dependant — USD 5,000.
3. Government fees (per person, payable after approval): passport — USD 350, national ID card — USD 150, citizenship registration certificate — USD 250
4. Fees for family members added after approval-in-principle: spouse — USD 10,000, other dependants — USD 5,000, child up to one year old — USD 500. An additional submission fee of USD 5,000 applies, except for newborns. These fees do not apply to dependants included in the original application.

How to Obtain a Passport of São Tomé and Príncipe

1. Pre-assessment and KYC
   A short questionnaire and eligibility screening, including verification of the source of funds, sanctions/PEP checks, and family composition.
2. Selecting the contribution and signing the agreement
   The applicant confirms the family members to be included and the contribution to the National Transformation Fund. A contract is signed with an authorised agent, and the application/consultation fee is paid.
3. Document collection
   Preparation of passports, police clearance certificates, medical reports, proof of income, and family documents. All documents must be translated into Portuguese or English, notarised, and, where required, apostilled.
4. Pre-due diligence by the provider
   The agent reviews the full file before submission to minimise the risk of rejection.
5. Submission to the competent authority
   Applications are submitted only through an accredited agent. Government and due-diligence fees for adult applicants are paid at this stage.
6. Government due diligence
   Background verification covering personal history, source of funds, and sanctions/media checks. The result is either a conditional approval or a request for additional information.
7. Conditional approval (approval-in-principle)
   An official approval letter is issued, specifying the investment amount and payment deadline.
8. Payment of the investment contribution
   The applicant transfers the required contribution to the National Transformation Fund within the stated period. Proof of payment is submitted to the authorities.
9. Citizenship registration
   A citizenship registration certificate is issued in the name of the applicant and included family members.
10. Issuance of documents
    The applicant receives a certificate of citizenship, a national ID card, and a passport. Personal attendance is typically not required; documents can be delivered by courier.
11. Post-issuance maintenance
    Applicants are advised to keep copies of all receipts and certificates, notify banks or partners of their second citizenship if necessary, and plan timely renewal of documents.
    In the event of family changes (marriage, birth of a child), dependants can be added to the citizenship record.

Advantages of São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship

• Access to 59 destinations without a visa obtained in advance as of 30 September 2026, including visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorisations. Visa-free destinations include Singapore and Hong Kong.
• No residency requirement before, during, or after the application process.
• The process usually takes around 5–6 months: approximately 2 months to approval and a further 3–4 months to passport issuance.
• No language test is required; remote issuance of identity documents requires video verification.
• Family inclusion available — spouse, children, and parents can be added to the application.
• Confidentiality guaranteed — applicant information is not made public.
• Dual citizenship permitted — no need to renounce your existing nationality.
• Low investment threshold compared to other citizenship programmes.
• Political stability and safety — São Tomé and Príncipe is among the most peaceful countries in Africa.
• Right to conduct business and own property in São Tomé and Príncipe; activities abroad are subject to the rules of the destination country.
• Income taxation depends on tax residence and the source of income: non-residents are taxed on São Tomé and Príncipe-source income, while residents are taxed on worldwide income.
• Lifetime citizenship, fully heritable by future generations.

São Tomé and Príncipe Passport Ranking and Visa-Free Destinations

As of 30 September 2026, the São Tomé and Príncipe passport ranks 78th and gives access to 59 destinations without a visa obtained in advance, including visa-free entry, visas on arrival and electronic travel authorisations. Passport Index and VisaIndex use separate ranking methodologies.

Citizens of this island nation enjoy visa-free travel to destinations such as Singapore and Hong Kong, as well as several countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
In addition to visa-free access, many countries offer visas on arrival or electronic visas, making this passport a practical tool for international travel, business, and global mobility diversification.

Renewal of the São Tomé and Príncipe Passport

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport is issued for a five-year term and can be renewed through a standard administrative procedure. Renewal is processed either by the Ministry of Justice, Internal Administration and Human Rights or through a São Tomé and Príncipe consulate or embassy abroad.

No reconfirmation of citizenship or additional investment is required for renewal.
The processing time is typically 2–4 weeks when applying within the country and up to 6 weeks through a consulate.
The new passport is issued under the same citizenship number and retains all rights and privileges granted under the citizenship programme.

Dual Citizenship in São Tomé and Príncipe

São Tomé and Príncipe officially allows dual citizenship. This right is established under the Constitution and the Nationality Law, which permit holding multiple passports, both for citizens by birth and for those who have obtained citizenship through naturalisation or investment.

New citizens are not required to renounce their original nationality, and the authorities do not notify other states about the acquisition of São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship.
As a result, this citizenship can be legally combined with that of Russia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and most other countries that also recognise multiple citizenships.