São Tomé and Príncipe Launches US$90k Citizenship by Investment Program

São Tomé’s Dubai-based CIU will process applications in six weeks via a public-private model.

São Tomé and Príncipe has officially launched its citizenship by investment program. The West African island nation’s citizenship act came into effect on August 1st, establishing one of the newest pathways to second citizenship in the global market.

The program requires a submission fee of US$5,000 regardless of family size. Upon receiving Approval in Principle, single applicants pay a US$90,000 donation. Families of two to four members pay US$95,000 total, and each additional dependent incurs a US$5,000 donation.

The government has set a processing time of six weeks and established the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) as a public-private partnership headquartered in Dubai. The unit will be led by STP Service Advisory, a newly-established UAE-based firm working in close collaboration with the Government of São Tomé and Príncipe. The CIU will start accepting applications in the first week of September.

Alfredo Trinidade, head of the government’s Promotion, Commerce and Investment Agency (APCI) in São Tomé and Príncipe, explains that this innovative structure sets São Tomé apart from traditional citizenship programs. “The CIU will operate as a standalone statutory entity that combines private sector efficiency with government oversight, essentially creating a successful public-private partnership.”

Trinidade notes that the Dubai location provides strategic advantages for global accessibility and operational efficiency. He emphasizes the benefits of this approach: “Having qualified staff in a fast-paced environment will allow the CIU to process applications much faster than traditional government departments. They can flexibly respond to demand, recruit top talent from the industry, and clients can easily reach them in Dubai which is an international travel hub.”

He says this PPP model enables the program to maintain government standards while leveraging private sector agility. The structure employs experienced professionals from both the citizenship by investment industry and São Tomé nationals. A São Tomé citizen will head the unit.

Additional costs apply upon approval: US$350 for passport fees, US$150 for national ID, and US$250 for Certificate of Registration per person. São Tomé maintains an inclusive approach to applicant nationalities. Russians and Iranians can apply, reflecting the country’s neutral international stance. North Koreans represent the only restricted nationality.

Qualifying dependents include spouses, children up to 30 years old who remain unmarried and financially dependent, and parents above 55 years old. Adding future dependents requires paying submission costs again, plus US$10,000 for spouses and US$5,000 per additional qualifying dependent upon receiving Approval in Principle. Newborn children cost US$500 to include.

São Tomé and Príncipe CBI Program Fees

The program does not have any interview requirements or residency obligations, following the biometric-based model used in previous iterations of the Caribbean CBI programs. Trinidade emphasizes the collaborative development process that shaped the final product. “The government issued a tender and listened to experienced professionals in the investment migration industry, and we shaped this program to benefit everyone involved: The clients, the agents, the government, and most importantly, the people of São Tomé and Príncipe.”

The donations will go into a National Transformation Fund, which will then support local projects. The first key enterprise on the island will be a renewable energy infrastructure project, which will serve as the lighthouse project in the region, as it will enable the entire country will run on renewable energy. Trinidade explains the broader vision: “These funds will flow directly into renewable energy first, then expand into housing, education, and extensive socioeconomic and infrastructure projects, including road development.”

He believes the economic impact extends beyond energy infrastructure. Trinidade anticipates “genuine trickle-down benefits that will create jobs, increase foreign direct investment, strengthen the electrical grid, and support local businesses throughout the island economy.”

São Tomé passports provide visa-free access to 61 destinations, including South Africa. Travel to the European Union and the United Kingdom requires visas. According to Trinidade, the program targets sophisticated investors who recognize citizenship value beyond travel convenience.

Trinidade positions the program for discerning clients who “understand the true value of second citizenship and the comprehensive benefits of dual nationality beyond simple global mobility, including legal tax restructuring, global diversification, estate planning, business expansion opportunities, political risk mitigation, and enhanced privacy protection.”

The government plans to establish a São Tomé embassy in Abu Dhabi, though the UAE-based Citizenship Investment Unit will handle passport renewals until then.