São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment
Explore the program's investment route, eligibility, mobility benefits, and application stages with practical guidance from MexoPath.
Island notes
A closer look at São Tomé and Príncipe
Citizenship is more than a document. São Tomé and Príncipe offers a distinctive island setting, from volcanic landscapes and tropical coastline to a slower way of life for families planning their next chapter.
A considered island choice
Use the program as a planning tool: compare the contribution route, understand the family requirements, and confirm current rules before making a decision.
Program at a glance
2025
Program introduced
Decree-Law 07/2025
Case-dependent
Typical timeframe
Appointment availability, prior authorisations, document checks and authority workload determine timing. Ask the responsible authority for its current estimate; no completion date is guaranteed.
Check current rules
International mobility
Visa-free or eVisa destinations
USD 90k
Starting contribution
Single applicant
Legal basis: Decree-Law 07/2025 established the investment or donation route. Confirm current eligibility, nationality restrictions, dependant rules, verification procedures and charges with the competent authority before applying.
Choose your route
Investment options
Compare the available routes, costs, holding periods, and family implications before deciding.
Starting from
USD 90,000
National Transformation Fund contribution
Applicants may qualify through a non-refundable contribution to the São Tomé and Príncipe National Transformation Fund. The contribution supports national development and is payable only after citizenship approval; the amount may vary by family size.
Starting from
By quotation
Submission, passport, and due diligence costs
In addition to the contribution, applicants should budget for government, due diligence, professional, document certification and verification, translation, legalization, and courier costs. Final costs depend on personal and family circumstances.
Global mobility
Travel access depends on the destination
Visa-free entry, arrival visas, electronic travel authorisations and eVisas are different. Check the rules for your passport, purpose and destination before booking; citizenship does not guarantee entry or permission to work.
International mobility
Visa-free entry, arrival visas, electronic travel authorisations and eVisas are different. Check the rules for your passport, purpose and destination before booking; citizenship does not guarantee entry or permission to work.
Check current rules
destinations accessible
—
Schengen
—
Caribbean
—
Asia
—
Africa
—
Americas
—
Oceania
Why São Tomé and Príncipe
A practical African citizenship pathway
Residence, visit, interview and renewal obligations may change. Confirm the rules applying to your application date and nationality before relying on a no-residence or remote-only process.
Citizenship does not determine tax residence or create a universal tax exemption. Income, assets, residence and reporting obligations require current independent tax advice in every relevant jurisdiction.
Simple process
StreamlinedThe program is organized around pre-screening, document submission, government review, approval, contribution, and final issuance.
Family benefits
FamilyFamily inclusion depends on the programme's current age, relationship and dependency rules. Confirm each relative's eligibility and additional costs before filing; inclusion is not automatic.
Investment payment timing
Payment stagesConfirm current payment stages, fees, risks, and any approval conditions with the authorised provider and official rules before committing funds. Neither approval nor investment recovery is guaranteed.
Residence and visit rules
FlexibleResidence, visit, interview and renewal obligations may change. Confirm the rules applying to your application date and nationality before relying on a no-residence or remote-only process.
Dual nationality and confidentiality
NationalityConfirm current nationality and adult-dependant restrictions, passport verification and issuance requirements directly before filing. Do not assume a fully remote process or a fixed completion time.
No interview or test
AccessibleConfirm current nationality and adult-dependant restrictions, passport verification and issuance requirements directly before filing. Do not assume a fully remote process or a fixed completion time.
Development contribution
ImpactThe National Transformation Fund supports renewable energy, housing, education, roads, and other socioeconomic projects.
Passport and wealth context
PlanningPassport validity, biometrics, delivery and renewal rules depend on age and the issuing authority's current procedures. Citizenship approval and passport issuance are separate steps.
Due diligence focus
ComplianceThe CIU's due diligence process uses international and local checks, including sources such as Interpol, World-Check, and government agencies, to assess applicants and families.
Eligibility & documents
Who qualifies and what you'll need
Eligibility foundations
- The main applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants should have a clean criminal record, good character, and pass government due diligence.
- Applicants should be healthy and provide a medical report when required.
- Funds must be lawful and supported by clear source-of-funds evidence.
- Applicants should not have a relevant visa refusal from a country with a visa-free relationship with São Tomé and Príncipe or be subject to international travel bans.
- Family eligibility depends on the current definitions for spouses, children, and dependent parents; confirm that the home country permits dual nationality.
Document preparation
- Passports, birth certificates, and identity documents
- Police clearances, medical reports, and character documents
- Proof of address and documents proving family relationships
- Bank records and source-of-funds evidence
- Certified, legalized, or translated documents where required
- Any additional documents requested after case review and due diligence
- MexoPath provides document-readiness guidance and a tailored checklist for the applicant's review
Application pathway
Four stages from review to citizenship
A well-prepared file reduces avoidable delays, but processing time and approval are never guaranteed.
Step 01
Route review
MexoPath supports a preliminary review of the applicant's passport and profile, document collection, and file organization. Where official submission is required, an independent qualified professional handles that service under the applicable rules.
Step 02
Due diligence
The government and Citizenship by Investment Unit review the application and conduct due diligence. If approved, the applicant receives an invitation to proceed with the required National Transformation Fund contribution.
Step 03
Approval & investment
After the relevant authority approves the application, the applicant makes the required contribution and settles applicable government and professional costs through the official channels.
Step 04
Citizenship certificate and passport
Once final checks and fund clearance are complete, the relevant authorities issue citizenship certificates and passports. Processing time can vary with due diligence requirements and case details.
Why São Tomé and PríncipeA practical African citizenship pathwayResidence, visit, interview and renewal obligations may change. Confirm the rules applying to your application date and nationality before relying on a no-residence or remote-only process.
Why São Tomé and Príncipe
A practical African citizenship pathway
Residence, visit, interview and renewal obligations may change. Confirm the rules applying to your application date and nationality before relying on a no-residence or remote-only process.
Citizenship does not determine tax residence or create a universal tax exemption. Income, assets, residence and reporting obligations require current independent tax advice in every relevant jurisdiction.
Simple process
StreamlinedThe program is organized around pre-screening, document submission, government review, approval, contribution, and final issuance.
Family benefits
FamilyFamily inclusion depends on the programme's current age, relationship and dependency rules. Confirm each relative's eligibility and additional costs before filing; inclusion is not automatic.
Investment payment timing
Payment stagesConfirm current payment stages, fees, risks, and any approval conditions with the authorised provider and official rules before committing funds. Neither approval nor investment recovery is guaranteed.
Residence and visit rules
FlexibleResidence, visit, interview and renewal obligations may change. Confirm the rules applying to your application date and nationality before relying on a no-residence or remote-only process.
Dual nationality and confidentiality
NationalityConfirm current nationality and adult-dependant restrictions, passport verification and issuance requirements directly before filing. Do not assume a fully remote process or a fixed completion time.
No interview or test
AccessibleConfirm current nationality and adult-dependant restrictions, passport verification and issuance requirements directly before filing. Do not assume a fully remote process or a fixed completion time.
Development contribution
ImpactThe National Transformation Fund supports renewable energy, housing, education, roads, and other socioeconomic projects.
Passport and wealth context
PlanningPassport validity, biometrics, delivery and renewal rules depend on age and the issuing authority's current procedures. Citizenship approval and passport issuance are separate steps.
Due diligence focus
ComplianceThe CIU's due diligence process uses international and local checks, including sources such as Interpol, World-Check, and government agencies, to assess applicants and families.
Eligibility & documentsWho qualifies and what you'll needReview eligibility foundations, document preparation, and applicable fees.
Eligibility & documents
Who qualifies and what you'll need
Requirements
Eligibility foundations
- The main applicant must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants should have a clean criminal record, good character, and pass government due diligence.
- Applicants should be healthy and provide a medical report when required.
- Funds must be lawful and supported by clear source-of-funds evidence.
- Applicants should not have a relevant visa refusal from a country with a visa-free relationship with São Tomé and Príncipe or be subject to international travel bans.
- Family eligibility depends on the current definitions for spouses, children, and dependent parents; confirm that the home country permits dual nationality.
Checklist
Document preparation
- Passports, birth certificates, and identity documents
- Police clearances, medical reports, and character documents
- Proof of address and documents proving family relationships
- Bank records and source-of-funds evidence
- Certified, legalized, or translated documents where required
- Any additional documents requested after case review and due diligence
- MexoPath provides document-readiness guidance and a tailored checklist for the applicant's review
Application pathway4 stages from review to citizenshipA well-prepared file reduces avoidable delays, but processing time and approval are never guaranteed.
Application pathway
4 stages from review to citizenship
A well-prepared file reduces avoidable delays, but processing time and approval are never guaranteed.
Step 01
Route review
MexoPath supports a preliminary review of the applicant's passport and profile, document collection, and file organization. Where official submission is required, an independent qualified professional handles that service under the applicable rules.
Step 02
Due diligence
The government and Citizenship by Investment Unit review the application and conduct due diligence. If approved, the applicant receives an invitation to proceed with the required National Transformation Fund contribution.
Step 03
Approval & investment
After the relevant authority approves the application, the applicant makes the required contribution and settles applicable government and professional costs through the official channels.
Step 04
Citizenship certificate and passport
Once final checks and fund clearance are complete, the relevant authorities issue citizenship certificates and passports. Processing time can vary with due diligence requirements and case details.
Island notesA closer look at São Tomé and PríncipeCitizenship is more than a document. São Tomé and Príncipe offers a distinctive island setting, from volcanic landscapes and tropical coastline to a slower way of life for families planning their next chapter.
Island notes
A closer look at São Tomé and Príncipe
Citizenship is more than a document. São Tomé and Príncipe offers a distinctive island setting, from volcanic landscapes and tropical coastline to a slower way of life for families planning their next chapter.
A considered island choice
Use the program as a planning tool: compare the contribution route, understand the family requirements, and confirm current rules before making a decision.