From Dreams to Destinations
From Dreams to Destinations
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The São Tomé and Príncipe government officially launched one of the most affordable and world's newest citizenship by investment programs on August 1, 2025.
The program gives you the fastest a second citizenship for less than $100k and lets you invest in one of Africa’s most peaceful and scenic countries.
In this guide, we will cover everything about the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program - what it offers, who can apply, how much it costs, and how to complete the process.
Let's discuss.
The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program operates through the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) in Dubai, which runs as a public-private partnership.
Applicants don’t need to live in São Tomé, take a language test, or go through long interviews. You can usually get approval in 6 to 8 weeks, which makes the program one of the easiest ways to get a second passport.
To join, you need to make a donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). This fund supports important projects in infrastructure, healthcare, education, and renewable energy.
The program welcomes almost all nationalities except North Korea, and specifically allows Russians and Iranians to apply.
To apply for the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program, you must submit a complete set of documents.
Here is a step-by-step process on how you can apply.
You start with a free consultation with WeRWealthy. During this step, we check if you meet the program requirements. You get a clear document checklist so you know exactly what to prepare. We also discuss your investment options and help you plan which family members, like your spouse, children, or parents, can join.
Next, you will complete the service agreement with WeRWealthy to officially start the process. After that, you’ll submit your application and pay the $5,000 submission fee. You’ll also provide all the required documents, including your passport, birth certificate, police clearance certificate, medical certificate, and proof of funds. The Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) begins initial background checks as soon as your application is submitted.
During this stage, the CIU will review your application carefully. They check your background, source of funds, and all documents. Once everything is correct, they give you Approval in Principle, which means your application meets all the program requirements.
After approval, you need to transfer your donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF. You then send proof of payment to the CIU. Once confirmed, you receive your Certificate of Naturalization, which officially makes you a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe.
Finally, you need to apply for your São Tomé and Príncipe passport. You also get a national ID and a certificate of registration. From start to finish, the process usually takes around 6 weeks.
The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program gives you a second passport at one of the most affordable prices in the world.
Here’s the full breakdown so you know exactly what to expect.
| Fee Type | Amount (USD) |
| Submission Fee (one-time) | 5,000 |
| Single Applicant Donation | 90,000 |
| Family (2–4 people) Donation | 95,000 |
| Each Additional Dependent | 5,000 |
| Passport Issuance (per person) | 350 |
| National ID (per person) | 150 |
| Certificate of Registration (per person) | 250 |
| Resubmission Fee | 5,000 |
| Spouse Addition | 10,000 |
| Other Dependent Addition | 5,000 |
| Newborn Child Addition | 500 |
The investment is much lower than most Caribbean or European programs, which often cost USD 200,000-500,000.
Here are 10 advantages of becoming a São Tomé and Príncipe citizen.
With a São Tomé and Príncipe passport, you can travel to around 61 countries without a visa, or get one on arrival, as of 2025. You can stay in Malaysia and the Philippines for 30 days, visit Angola for 30 days, and spend up to 90 days in the Bahamas or Barbados.
The São Tomé passport ranks 86th globally. While it does not give full Schengen access yet, it still opens doors across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. So if you travel often, the passport helps you move around the world with fewer visa hassles.
You don’t need to give up your first passport to get a new one here. The country doesn’t ask you to live there, learn the language. It’s simple - once you qualify and invest, you can get your citizenship from anywhere in the world.
The program is very affordable compared to other Citizenship by Investment programs. You can apply for citizenship with an investment starting from USD 90,000. The best part - the whole process usually takes six to eight weeks. That means you can become a global citizen in just a few months.
São Tomé and Príncipe sit in the Gulf of Guinea, right between West Africa and the Portuguese-speaking world. You can access major markets in Portugal, Brazil, and Angola because of membership in the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP).
The country also participates in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which gives it easier trade access across Africa. The population is around 240,000 in 2024. You can use your São Tomé passport to explore trade, travel, and investment opportunities across multiple regions.
Economic growth reached 1.1% in 2024 and is projected to rise to 2.5% in 2025, with an average of 3.7% in 2026-27. You can confidently invest, move, or grow a business because the country supports predictable and transparent policies.
You can include your spouse, children, and even parents in your citizenship application. When you get the passport, everyone in your family can enjoy the same rights, travel freedom, and investment opportunities that come with São Tomé citizenship.
The government spends 16.26% of the national budget on healthcare and 12.51% on education. As a citizen, you and your family can access public education and healthcare, or choose private hospitals and international schools available in the capital city.
International visitors reached about 34,900 in 2019, up from 8,000 in 2010. Tourism now accounts for roughly 11% of GDP. You can invest in real estate, resorts, eco-lodges, or tourism-related businesses.
When you look for a second citizenship, you want to know the cost and timeline.
Here is a clear comparison of popular citizenship by investment programs:
| Country | Investment | Time | Investment Types |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | USD 90,000 | 6–8 weeks | Donation |
| Vanuatu | USD 130,000 | 1–2 months | Donation |
| Nauru | USD 105,000 | 1–3 months | Donation |
| Egypt | USD 250,000 | 6–12 months | Real estate |
| Turkey | USD 400,000 | 3–6 months | Real estate |
| North Macedonia | USD 200,000 | 6–12 months | Business investment |
If you want fast and low-cost citizenship, São Tomé and Príncipe is the best citizenship program in Africa.
Here is a clear table to help you see the differences:
| Country | Investment | Time | Investment Types |
| São Tomé and Príncipe | USD 90,000 | 6–8 weeks | Donation |
| Dominica | USD 200,000 | 3–6 months | Donation & Real estate |
| Antigua and Barbuda | USD 230,000 | 3–6 months | Donation |
| Saint Lucia | USD 240,000 | 3–6 months | Donation |
| Grenada | USD 235,000 | 3–6 months | Donation |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | USD 250,000 | 3–6 months | Donation |
With a São Tomé and Príncipe passport, you can travel visa-free, visa-on-arrival, or with an eVisa to about 61 countries.
Visa-Free - You can enter countries such as Angola, Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Dominica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Gabon, Ghana, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Kenya, Kosovo, Madagascar, Malaysia, Micronesia, Nicaragua, Niue, Panama, Philippines, Rwanda, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Singapore, South Africa, Suriname, Togo, and Zambia without a visa.
Visa on Arrival - You can visit Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Iran, Jordan, Laos, Macao, Malawi, Maldives, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Palau, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Somalia, Tanzania, Timor-Leste, Tuvalu, and Zimbabwe and get a visa on arrival at the airport or border.
eVisa - You can apply online for an eVisa to countries such as Albania and Antigua and Barbuda.
When you become a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe, you get several tax advantages that help you protect and grow your wealth.
If you live in São Tomé for more than 183 days, your income is taxed progressively in 2025:
If you live outside São Tomé, your foreign income is usually tax-free. This means you only pay tax on income you earn inside the country.
The standard corporate tax is 25%, but São Tomé offers incentives for new investments.
For example, some new businesses pay only 10% corporate tax. You can also get exemptions on import duties for equipment and reduced property transfer taxes in special zones.
The country does not charge wealth tax or inheritance tax. If you hold property or investments abroad, you usually do not pay capital gains tax in São Tomé. This helps you keep more of your assets and pass wealth to your family efficiently.
For one person living comfortably in the capital or central areas, you will spend about €750–€950 per month, which includes rent for a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, groceries, internet, and some leisure activities.
For a family of four (excluding school fees), the cost is around €1,500–€2,500 per month, which covers a three-bedroom apartment, food, transport, internet, and healthcare.
You can lower your costs if you use local products and avoid imported luxury items. If you want a Western-style lifestyle, expect higher costs.
Here are typical monthly expenses:
São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is a government-backed program that allows investors to gain citizenship by donating to the National Transformation Fund (NTF).
A single applicant pays USD 90,000. A family of up to four pays USD 95,000. Each extra dependent costs USD 5,000.
You can complete the entire process in 6–8 weeks, from application to passport.
Almost all nationalities can apply except North Korea.
No, São Tomé citizenship does not include Schengen or UK access.
You do not need to live in the country or learn Portuguese.
Yes, you can include your spouse, children, and parents.
Yes, you can add a newborn or other dependents after submission.
Yes, you can start a business or work in São Tomé immediately.
Yes, if you live outside São Tomé, your foreign income usually stays tax-free.
Yes, you can buy property, resorts, eco-lodges, or private homes.
Yes, self-employed individuals and freelancers can apply.
No, business partners cannot be included unless they are eligible family members.
No, the government requires full payment of the donation.
São Tomé and Príncipe offer one of the low-cost programs in Africa at USD 90,000.
São Tomé and Príncipe is one of the easiest and fastest countries for citizenship by investment. For just USD 90,000, you can get a second passport in 6–8 weeks.
Yes, São Tomé and Príncipe allows dual citizenship.
Yes, hiring a CIU-approved lawyer or agent is allowed.
At WeRWealthy, we make your São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship journey simple. You don’t need to worry about documents, forms - we will handle everything for you.
When you start with us, we check your eligibility and help you prepare all the right papers. Our team works directly with the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) in Dubai to make sure your application moves smoothly.
You can complete the whole process from anywhere in the world - no need to travel or live in São Tomé. We’ll guide you step by step and help you become a global citizen.
Our expert-driven process is faster, easier, and completely hassle-free.