São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Requirements
The São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is designed for efficiency. Unlike traditional programs that require years of residency or complex business plans, this program focuses on a clean background and a transparent source of funds.
$90,000
Minimum Investment
*The minimum due diligence period is about 2 months, with total processing typically taking 4–6 months.
2+
Months
60+
Visa-free countries
Let’s Discuss the Details
Main Applicant Requirements
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
Checklist
Minimum age of 18 years
Clean criminal record
Proof of legal source of funds
Good health and free from contagious diseases
Must pass Due Diligence checks
Eligible Family Members
Spouse
Legally married spouse or civil partner
Children (Under 18)
All biological or legally adopted children
Adult Children (18–30)
Must be unmarried and fully financially dependent on the main applicant
Important 2026 Update
Newborn children born after you receive your citizenship can be added for a administrative fee of just $500
Parents
Both your parents and those of your spouse can be included
São Tomé & Príncipe offers one of the most generous family inclusion policies in the world, allowing you to include:
Eligible Family Members
Spouse
Legally married spouse or civil partner
Children (Under 18)
All biological or legally adopted children
Adult Children (18–30)
Must be unmarried and fully financially dependent on the main applicant
Important 2026 Update
Newborn children born after you receive your citizenship can be added for a administrative fee of just $500
Parents
Both your parents and those of your spouse can be included
São Tomé & Príncipe offers one of the most generous family inclusion policies in the world, allowing you to include:
Required Documentation
Financial Documents:
- Bank Statements: Typically covering the last 6 months
- Source of Wealth Evidence: Employment letters, company ownership documents, or investment records
- Professional Reference: From a lawyer or accountant.
Personal Documents
- Passport Copies: Certified copies of valid passports for all applicants
- Birth Certificates: Full version for all applicants
- Marriage Certificate: If applying with a spouse.
- Police Clearance: A certificate of no criminal record from your country of citizenship and any country you have resided in for the last 5 years (must be issued within the last 3 months)
- Medical Certificate: A recent health report from a licensed physician.
* Document requirements may vary. The final list will be determined by our legal team based on your individual case.
No Physical Residency Requirements
One of the program's most significant advantages is its 100% remote nature.
No Travel Required
You do not need to visit São Tomé & Príncipe to apply, receive your passport, or maintain your citizenship.
No Language Test
There are no requirements to speak Portuguese or take any history/culture examinations.
Remote ID Verification
As of April 2026, the required identity verification is conducted via a secure video call with the Civil Registry—eliminating the need to visit an embassy or the islands.
Restrictions & Limitations
While the program is open to most nationalities, certain regulatory limits apply:
Applications can only be submitted through government-licensed agents (like Astons). Personal submissions directly to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) are not permitted.
Authorised Agents
Effective April 2026, applications from individuals currently holding three or more foreign nationalities are temporarily on hold.
Triple-Nationality Rule
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some of the most common questions about the São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program.
No. Recent legislative changes allow for remote video verification for your National ID and Passport, making the program entirely remote from start to finish.
No. One of the program's primary advantages is its simplicity. There is no mandatory interview, no language proficiency requirement in Portuguese, and no history or culture exam.
Yes. You can include your parents, as well as those of your spouse, provided they are over 55 years of age. This inclusive policy makes it one of the most family-friendly programs for those seeking multi-generational security.
No. There are no physical residency requirements at any stage of the process. You are not required to visit the islands to apply, nor are you required to reside there after your citizenship is granted.
While your citizenship is granted for life and can be passed down to future generations, the physical passport is valid for 7 years. Renewal is a straightforward administrative process that can be handled through any São Tomé & Príncipe consulate or embassy worldwide. You don't need to make a new investment to renew your travel documents.