São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment
An emerging African program offering one of the most accessible entry points to citizenship by investment. Compact processing time and a growing list of visa-free destinations.
Program at a Glance
Key facts for the São Tomé and Príncipe program
São Tomé and Príncipe runs one of the most affordable government citizenship programmes in the world, starting at USD 90,000, with a fully remote process and fast turnaround. It is a newly enacted programme, so we position it for cost-conscious mobility and African-market access while confirming current recognition and visa-free terms.
- Processing time
- ~2–3 months
- Visa-free travel
- 60+ destinations (no EU/Schengen, US, or UK)
- Minimum investment
- From USD 90,000 (donation)
What to know
São Tomé and Príncipe's programme is officially enacted (Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025) and issued its first passports in January 2026, operated through a Dubai-based unit. As a brand-new programme its international recognition, banking acceptance, and visa-free access are still developing, and counts vary across sources — verify destinations directly before relying on them.
Figures are indicative and subject to change by the issuing authority. Speak with an Ancova advisor for current pricing, due-diligence requirements, and route-specific eligibility.
Investment routes
Ways to qualify for São Tomé and Príncipe
National Transformation Fund donation
USD 90,000 single / USD 95,000 family of 2–4
A non-refundable contribution funding renewable energy, infrastructure, education, housing, and eco-tourism (+USD 5,000 per additional dependant).
Eligibility
Who qualifies
- Main applicant aged 18 or over
- Clean criminal record; passes third-party due diligence
- Proof of a lawful source of funds and valid income
- Good health
- No nationality restrictions except North Korea
- No residency, presence, language, or cultural-exam requirement; dual citizenship permitted
The process
From brief to passport
- 1
Engage an agent & prepare documents
Work with an authorised agent to compile and certify the required documentation.
- 2
Submit to the Citizenship by Investment Unit
The agent submits the file to the Dubai-based unit operated under government contract.
- 3
Due diligence
International due-diligence and compliance screening is conducted.
- 4
Approval-in-principle
The government issues approval, commonly ~6–8 weeks after submission.
- 5
Donation & citizenship
The donation is completed, the oath taken, and the certificate, national ID, and passport issued.
Why São Tomé and Príncipe
What this passport unlocks for the principal and family
Among the cheapest worldwide
Entry begins at USD 90,000, well below Caribbean programmes that typically start at USD 200,000–250,000.
Fully remote and fast
No residency, travel, or language requirements; citizenship can be obtained without visiting the islands.
Favourable tax treatment for non-residents
Non-resident citizens are reported to face no worldwide income, dividend, capital-gains, inheritance, or wealth tax — though citizenship alone does not change tax residency.
African market access (AfCFTA)
Membership of the African Continental Free Trade Area is cited as a benefit for regional business.
Lusophone (CPLP) ties
As a Portuguese-language community member, sources cite potential simplified Portugal residence and Brazil access — not guaranteed.
Lifetime, heritable
Citizenship is granted for life, transferable to descendants, and dual citizenship is allowed.
Visa-free highlights
- Singapore
- Hong Kong
- South Africa
- Malaysia
Advisory Approach
Discreet, compliance-led guidance from brief to passport.
The São Tomé and Príncipe route is reviewed against your family profile, existing nationalities, source-of-funds documentation, and long-term mobility goals. Ancova coordinates application preparation, due diligence, government liaison, and onward passport issuance.
- Eligibility review tailored to the principal and dependants
- Source-of-funds and source-of-wealth documentation support
- Liaison with approved agents and government channels
- Post-approval handling: oath, passport, and onward planning
This page is general information for educational purposes only and is not legal, tax, financial, or immigration advice. Investment thresholds, processing times, and program terms change; confirm the current details with a qualified Ancova adviser before acting.
Everything You Need to Know
Need more clarity? Our team is here to provide tailored guidance and support.
Yes. It is established under Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 (effective August 2025) and began issuing passports in January 2026, operated through a Dubai-based Citizenship by Investment Unit.
A minimum non-refundable donation of USD 90,000 for a single applicant (USD 95,000 for a family of up to four), plus a processing fee and document-issuance costs.
Roughly 2–3 months on average, with some cases approved in about four weeks.
No. There are no residency, presence, or language requirements and the process is fully remote.
Reported figures range from 60+ upward depending on how visa-on-arrival and eVisa are counted; there is no visa-free EU/Schengen, US, or UK access, so verify each destination directly.
Yes — dual citizenship is permitted. All nationalities may apply except citizens of North Korea.
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