The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship-by-Investment program launched on August 1, 2025. It is regulated by Law No. 7/2022 «On Citizenship» and Decree No. 07/2025 «On the Regulation of Citizenship by Investment or Donation». The program’s primary objective is to attract foreign investment to fund national projects in energy, education, infrastructure, healthcare, and ecotourism.
Participants can obtain a second passport within 1-2 months by making a non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund (starting from USD 90,000). No Portuguese language proficiency, knowledge of the country’s culture and history, or long-term residency in São Tomé and Príncipe is required.
Citizenship is also granted by descent, marriage, and naturalization. Each method has its own requirements. For example, naturalization requires living in the country for 5 years, learning Portuguese, and proving the source of one’s income. This isn’t the easiest route to a second passport, so most people choose the investment option.
A brief overview of the country and its citizenship laws
São Tomé and Príncipe is a small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea in Central Africa. It consists of 2 large volcanic islands of the same name (Sao Tome and Principe) and several smaller ones. The country was a Portuguese colony until 1951 and gained independence in 1975. Key details:
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Area, km2 | 1,001 |
| Official language | Portuguese |
| Currency | Dobra (STN) |
| Population | 235 536 |
| GDP (USD, billion) | 0,76 |
| Average net salary (USD) | 226 |
| Political system | Multi-party parliamentary republic |
The issuance of Sao Tome and Principe citizenship is regulated by the Citizenship Law (Lei n.º 07/2022) and the Decree-Law «Regulating Citizenship by Investment or Donation» (Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025). These regulations set out procedures for obtaining a passport, along with the required conditions and requirements.
Different ways to obtain São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship
Currently, Sao Tome and Principe citizenship can be obtained in one of the following 6 ways:
| Grounds for citizenship | Eligible applicants | Key requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Descent | Children of citizens | At least one parent is a citizen of the country |
| Birth in the country | Children of foreign nationals | Parents legally reside in Sao Tome and Principe and are not foreign government officials |
| Marriage | Spouses of citizens | At least 5 years of marriage |
| Adoption | Adopted children of citizens | Full legal adoption by a citizen of the country |
| Naturalization | Foreign nationals | 5 years of residence; Portuguese language proficiency; proof of income |
| Investment | High-net-worth individuals | Non-refundable investment and successful due diligence check |
Citizenship by investment in São Tomé and Príncipe
The São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship-by-investment (CBI) program was launched in 2025. Now, foreigners who invest in the National Transformation Fund can obtain a second passport within 1-2 months.
CBI program terms
The São Tomé and Príncipe «golden passport» is issued by the Citizenship by Investment and Donations Unit (Unidade de Cidadania por Investimento e Doação – UCID). This government agency reviews applications, engages external services for due diligence, makes decisions, and issues citizenship certificates.
A key part of the program is the «management organization» (Entidade Gestora). It is a government-accredited private company responsible for accepting applications and conducting preliminary due diligence checks on investors. The management company works directly with the UCID, and a foreigner cannot apply for citizenship without it.
The government of São Tomé and Príncipe has introduced mandatory licensing for management companies. Promoting the program, accepting investor applications, and submitting them to the UCID without government approval are prohibited. Unlicensed activity will result in a fine of USD 500,000. iWorld is an accredited agent for the São Tomé and Príncipe Investment Program. Contact us to obtain a second passport legally.
To participate in the Sao Tome and Principe Investment Program, a foreigner must:
- Be over 18 years old (children must apply with their parents).
- Be free of infectious or other diseases that could harm the population.
- Have a clean criminal record for at least 3 years.
- Not participate in activities related to terrorism.
- Have a legal source of income.
São Tomé and Príncipe’s investment program requirements include the following:
- A non-refundable contribution of at least USD 90,000 to the National Transformation Fund.
- Payment of all government fees.
- Successful completion of a due diligence check.
Investors may include their dependents in their application, including spouses, children under 30, and parents over 55.
Application costs for the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment program
The cost of obtaining a São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship varies based on family composition and consists of 2 components: an initial investment and government fees. First, let’s look at the required investment amounts:
| Applicants | Minimum investment, $ |
|---|---|
| Investor only | 90,000 |
| Family of 2-4 | 95,000 |
| Each additional dependent | 5,000 |
Now, let’s review all the mandatory government fees:
| Government fee | Amount,$ |
|---|---|
| Application submission and due diligence check | 5,000 |
| Passport issuance | 350 |
| National ID card issuance | 150 |
| Certificate of citizenship | 250 |
| Citizenship grant to spouse (after final approval) | 10,000 |
| Citizenship grant to dependents (excluding spouse, after final approval) | 5,000 |
| Citizenship grant to newborn (after final approval) | 500 |
If the investor is a single applicant, the total cost to participate in the citizenship program will be USD 95,750. For a family of 3 (mother, father, and child), the cost is USD 102,250. However, if the investor first obtains citizenship and then applies for their spouse, they will need to pay an additional USD 15,000 to cover the application and verification fees.
These costs are low compared with those of other countries with similar programs. , who will calculate the specific costs for your family to obtain a second passport from São Tomé and Príncipe.
Required documents
To participate in the São Tomé and Príncipe investment program, you must prepare the following:
- a completed application form;
- certified copies of the investor’s passport and the passports of all dependents;
- criminal record certificates, no older than 3 months, from the country of citizenship and from all countries in which each applicant, over the age of 16, has resided for at least 1 year during the past 10 years;
- proof of residence;
- a certified copy of a birth certificate or other document containing information about the investor’s parents;
- a statement of the legal origin of funds accompanied by bank statements;
- a receipt for payment of the mandatory fee;
- a preliminary check report issued by UCID;
- a CV describing the investor’s and spouse’s education and work history;
- 8 passport-sized photos for each citizenship applicant;
- a certified copy of a college or university diploma;
- an original letter of recommendation from a bank issued no more than 6 months ago;
- an original letter from the place of work;
- an original medical certificate;
- a marriage or divorce certificate (if applicable).
Step-by-step process to obtain citizenship
The Sao Tome and Principe citizenship by investment process takes approximately 8 weeks and consists of 6 stages:
- Sign an agreement with a licensed agent.
Investors cannot apply for São Tomé and Príncipe’s citizenship on their own behalf; they must contact the managing organization and sign an agreement. Before doing so, it’s important to verify the agent’s license. iWorld holds all necessary permits from the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe, ensuring that obtaining second citizenship through our assistance is legal. - Prepare the documents.
The licensed agent will provide a complete list of the required documents. It’s important to time the process correctly, as some certificates must be current. For example, a clean criminal record cannot be more than 3 months old. All documents must be translated into Portuguese or English and apostilled or legally certified. iWorld lawyers prepare the application in accordance with the investment program requirements. - Preliminary screening and application submission.
A licensed agent will review your documents before submitting them for citizenship. If there are any errors, the agent will highlight them and provide recommendations for correction. After the preliminary review, the agent submits the application and supporting documents to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the investor pays the government filing fee and the due diligence check fee. - UCID government check.
UCID staff conduct a due diligence check on the investor. They must verify that the applicant has an impeccable reputation and is not associated with terrorism or money laundering. They must also confirm that all invested funds are legitimately earned. The UCID check takes 15 days. If necessary, the investor may be invited to an in-person or online interview. - Wait for a decision.
The UCID forwards the investor’s case to the São Tomé and Príncipe Public Prosecutor’s Office for preliminary approval. After receiving the government agency’s response, the UCID director will make a final decision within 15 days. - Make the investment and take an oath.
If the UCID issues a positive decision to the investor, the investor must contribute funds to the National Transformation Fund within 90 days of receiving it. The government agency will then determine the date for the oath ceremony, which can take place in Sao Tome and Principe or at an embassy or consulate abroad. - Obtain a passport.
After the oath ceremony, a UCID officer will forward the investor’s file to the Central Registry for registration. The applicant pays the state fees for the passport, identity card, and citizenship certificate. The documents will be mailed to you; you do not need to visit São Tomé and Príncipe to receive them.
Obtain citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe
- Citizenship for the whole family
- Dual citizenship option
- Minimum requirements for staying in the country
- The most affordable investment program
Leave an application and get a consultation specialist
Citizenship without investment
Becoming a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe is possible through investment, naturalization, or marriage. Practically speaking, however, foreigners rarely choose these paths because they must meet the Citizenship Law’s strict requirements.
Naturalization requires living in São Tomé and Príncipe with a residence permit for at least 5 years. Long-term residence may be justified by work, study, self-employment, volunteer work, or family ties. Additionally, the following is required:
- Learn Portuguese to a level sufficient for everyday communication.
- Have no criminal record for more than 3 years.
- Confirm employment, business, or another source of income.
- Have no ties to terrorist organizations.
Another basis for obtaining a passport is marriage to a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe, provided that the foreigner:
- Declares their desire to become a citizen of the country.
- Has been married to a São Tomé and Príncipe citizen for at least 5 years.
Minor children of a person who acquires São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship may also acquire that citizenship.
Dual citizenship
In 2022, amendments to the São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship law allowed foreigners to retain their original passports. However, there is a condition for those seeking naturalization. A person must not have more than 2 foreign citizenships at the time of application. Otherwise, their application will be rejected. This rule does not apply to investors, who retain their original passports regardless.
Another unique rule is that if a person naturalizes in São Tomé and Príncipe and then receives citizenship in a third country, their São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is lost. Furthermore, a person may lose their passport if they obtain it fraudulently using false information or fraudulent documents. The authorities also revoke citizenship from individuals who threaten national security or commit acts against the country’s sovereignty.
What benefits does Sao Tome and Principe citizenship provide?
With a São Tomé and Príncipe passport, you can:
- Visa-free travel to 71 countries, including most African countries, Singapore, Vietnam, and Hong Kong.
- Live, work, and conduct business in São Tomé and Príncipe.
- Apply for simplified residence permits in Portugal and Brazil because São Tomé and Príncipe is a member of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries.
- Open the door to working with foreign banks and partners if your current citizenship is restricted.
- Simplify access to African markets.
- Protect your assets.
- Establish trusts and plan for inheritance, especially offshore.
- Participate in European investment programs.
The main advantage is that citizens of any country can apply for the São Tomé and Príncipe investment program. With a minimum investment of USD 90,000, a second passport will be issued in approximately 2 months. Payment can be made in cryptocurrency, and there are no residency or Portuguese language requirements. Citizenship is granted without publication in official registries, ensuring confidentiality.
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