CitizenshipSão Tomé and Príncipe
An affordable, fast new African route to a second citizenship, launched under 2025 legislation.
Sao Tome and Principe, an island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, opened its citizenship-by-investment programme under fresh 2025 legislation, positioning it as one of the most affordable and fastest options now available anywhere. For families seeking a second nationality without a large capital outlay, it is an appealing newcomer.
The programme is built around a single, straightforward route: a non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund, with pricing that starts well below typical Caribbean thresholds. Passports are issued for five years initially and renew for ten.
CBIProgram manages the compact process for you, from pre-screening and document submission through government due diligence to the final issuance of certificates and passports, often in as little as one to two months.
- Residence requirement: None
Program law
The programme is established by Decree Law No. 07/2025, the Regulation of Nationality by Investment or Donation, published in the official gazette (Diario da Republica) on 1 August 2025.
Key benefits
Entry-Level Pricing
A single applicant can qualify from USD 90,000, among the lowest investment thresholds in the entire industry.
Rapid Processing
With a streamlined review, many applications complete in just one to two months from submission.
Brand-New Framework
The programme runs under 2025 legislation, offering a fresh, clearly defined legal basis for investors.
Simple Single Route
One clear donation path keeps the process easy to understand, with no complex asset purchase required.
Visa-free destinations
Visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eVisa access. Contact us for the full, up-to-date destination list. Compare
Fees & costs
Investment options
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Transformation Fund donation - single applicant — Non-refundable contribution | USD 90,000 |
| National Transformation Fund donation - family of two to four — Add USD 5,000 per additional dependent | USD 95,000 |
Government fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Submission fees | USD 5,000 |
| Passport fees | USD 350 |
| Certificate of registration | USD 250 |
Due diligence fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Per application | USD 5,000 |
Process & timeline
We complete an initial assessment, prepare the documents and submit the application to the authorities.
The government carries out its background checks and issues an approval decision.
The donation is paid, citizenship certificates and passports are issued, and the final professional fee is settled.
The compact process typically runs from one to two months end to end.
Eligibility
- Main applicant must be at least 18 years old
- A clean criminal record and good reputation
- Good health, confirmed by a medical certificate
- A lawful and verifiable source of the investment funds
- Not subject to international sanctions or travel restrictions
- Successful completion of due diligence and background checks
Required documents
All applicants
- Completed application forms
- Certified copies of all passports held and of the photo identity card
- Birth record with MOFA attestation
- Police records for applicants aged 16 and over covering birth, citizenship and residence countries
- Original medical certificate
- Eight original passport-sized photographs
Main applicant
- Personal CV covering education and employment history
- One original bank reference letter from an internationally recognised bank, dated within six months
- One original employment letter
- Certified copies of university or college diplomas
Married couples
- Marriage certificate with MOFA attestation
- Spouse's personal CV with education and employment history
- Spouse's certified passport and identity documents
Frequently asked questions
How affordable is this programme compared with others?
It is one of the lowest-cost routes available, with a single applicant able to qualify from USD 90,000, well under typical Caribbean donation levels.
How quickly can I obtain citizenship?
The streamlined process often completes in one to two months, making it one of the fastest options on the market.
What is the single investment route?
The programme is based on a non-refundable donation to the National Transformation Fund; there is no real estate or financial-asset option.
Is this a well-established programme?
It is a recent one, introduced under 2025 legislation, which gives it a modern and clearly defined legal foundation.
Who can I include as dependents?
You may include your spouse, dependent children up to age 30 and parents aged 55 and over, subject to the programme's rules.
How long is the passport valid?
For applicants aged 18 and over the passport is issued for five years initially and renews for ten years thereafter.
Information last verified: 2026-10-29 · Official programme data
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