São Tomé Citizenship: A Strategic Move for Business Travelers from North America

Overview of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program

Recently, we’ve discussed the African country of São Tomé and its CBI, an emerging program that allows applicants to access a second citizenship and outstanding opportunities. In this piece, we'll focus mostly on São Tomé for business mobility and the specifics of donation, fees, and relations with its counterparts.

Key Benefits of Citizenship by Investment

If we can describe citizenship by investment’s advantages in one word, it would be “possibility”. Those who choose to obtain dual nationality do it as a Plan B. Moreover, they want to have a second passport that they can use for travel, to access new currencies and business opportunities, and to become part of the global structure that facilitates business and mobility. 

The following are some of the reasons why a person might be interested in CBI:

• Have a place to live in case of emergencies
• Have a place to go in a global crisis (for example, what happened with COVID-19)
• Access higher education at lower costs
• Access scholarship in world-class universities 
• Conduct business with new partners
• Access stable currencies and facilitate transactions, investments, and operations
• Enhance mobility
• Access a more tax-friendly environment
• Access to better living standards
• Access to new markets

Investment Requirements and Options

Once the individual has made up his/her mind, it will be time to choose a jurisdiction. For Americans, small island nations with more flexible rules, lower cost of living, and tranquil surroundings are ideal. This is why Americans search in places like the West Indies (close to home), Vanuatu in the South Pacific (more suitable for New Zealanders and Australians), and in emerging opportunities. In the latter half of 2025, everyone has been talking about São Tomé and Principe. Why is this?

Eligibility Criteria and Dependents

What makes the CBI a sweet deal is the simple path of becoming eligible. Traditionally, naturalization takes many years of legal residency, proving having ties to the country, ancestors, a marriage, and, many times, it demands complex history and language exams. 

The novelty of citizenship by investment programs lies in the fact that you can become eligible by making an investment or a donation. Thus, you avoid years of complex processes and endless research that sometimes lead to no end. 

Most of the programs are focused on real estate investment or a donation to the national fund, with some exceptions and additions, as we can see in the following table.

Note: We added some residency programs for the sake of comparison in order to have a complete picture of the migration landscape worldwide.

*This information is based on the basic and most popular programs. However, the regulations in each country are complex, and there may exist other ways available according to the legislation. Furthermore, this information might be inaccurate at the time of reading, as the programs are constantly evolving. 

Comparing programs by eligibility requirements 

Analyzing the chart above, it's clear that the donation and real estate options are present in most of the programs. Others, like investment in a university fund and government bonds, are exclusive to some countries (Antigua and St. Lucia, respectively)

Investment is not everything

Finally, it's worth mentioning that an investment or a donation doesn't grant direct nationality: they provide eligibility. Other requirements must be met, like the absence of criminal records, proving that the funds come from legal sources, proving having an impeccable character, and so on. In many programs, interviews (online or in situ) are mandatory. 

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Approvals and rejections

We have taken the reports issued by Grenada to put together the following graphic showing the contrast between approved and rejected applications. As the reader can see for himself/herself, approvals are more common than rejections. We’ve chosen the Grenada program to show an overlook of which pathways were more popular during 2025.

Processing Time and Application Steps

• Step one - onboarding: your Mundo expert will analyze your case, make a preliminary assessment, and provide you with thorough information. 
• Step 2 - gather the documents: together with your Mundo expert, you will gather the documents, which include making the necessary copies, collecting the information, translating documents, and certifying and apostilling copies.
• Step 3 - submit the documents: once you submit your documents and fill out the forms, the application is reviewed by the unit (São Tomé ’s is located in the emirate of Dubai)
• Step 4 - due diligence process: The unit applies a thorough due diligence process to meet compliance standards, to confirm that the information provided is accurate and true, and to confirm the good character of the applicant and the legal source of the funds.
• Step 5 - the decision: the CBI unit will either approve or reject the application.
• Step 6 – the donation: once approved, the applicant will proceed with the donation, after which the citizenship is granted, and the passport is issued.

Enhanced Global Mobility

One of the best perks of having a second passport is the possibility to travel more easily and to a greater number of countries. It's as if the world would get bigger for the applicant and the family. Those who become citizens of São Tomé can travel more easily to Hong Kong, Singapore, the EAU, and Qatar. Furthermore, they will access more straightforward residency conditions in Portuguese-speaking countries.

Investment Safety and Confidentiality

CBI detractors usually think of the programs as shady and unreliable, but actually, CBIs are much more regulated than traditional migration methods. In simple words, all programs provide confidentiality and disclose information when it's required by law. 

Family Inclusion in Citizenship Applications

All the alternatives allow you to add your closest family members, that is spouse and children. The only difference lies in how old the children can be and what family members they accept from a wider circle. A few programs accept parents, and even fewer accept siblings and grandparents. 

As we can see in the chart above, Antigua and Barbuda accepts all family members, including the in-law family. This makes it the best option for large groups, especially those who are close.

In the main subject of our article, São Tomé, children can apply with their parents until they're 30 years old as long as they are unmarried. According to Decree 07/2025, the African country also accepts parents and grandparents who are 55 years old or older.

How to Obtain São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship

Step-by-Step Application Process

Check out the following graphic to see the application process in detail.

Consultation with Immigration Specialists

This is the first stage of the process and the most important one. Is this program the right one, or is there a more suitable one? It is not uncommon for such questions to emerge at this stage.

Due Diligence and Approval Process

Once the application is submitted, the unit conducts due diligence to confirm that the information is correct and that the person has good character and is not involved in illegal activities

Oath and Document Issuance

The oaths and the issuance of the passport will be done after approval.

Costs Associated with Citizenship by Investment

Non-Refundable Contributions

Here is a table indicating the stipulated contributions for each country. 

*Disclaimer: The fees may be outdated at the time of reading or may be inaccurate due to the ever-changing nature of the programs. The fees must be consulted with a certified agent and during formal constitutions. This article doesn't constitute migration or financial advice. These fees don't include costs or legal fees.

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Additional Costs and Fees

In the table above, we can see the estimated additional fees, which usually entail an interview fee, oath fee, insurance fees, and the most common ones: processing, due diligence, and government fees. Besides, the reader should keep in mind that the legal fees are to be paid to the agent.

Finally, the costs are a separate thing. We refer to costs when we discuss translations, notarizations, apostilles, courier services, etc. 

Life in São Tomé and Príncipe

Quality of Life and Natural Environment

You can enjoy a laid-back lifestyle in a country with only 240,000 inhabitants. São Tomé is known as the chocolate island because of its prolific production of cacao. The former Portuguese colony uses Portuguese as the official language, while the people speak different creole languages.

An interesting fact is that this is the first country in the world to be classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. 

Political Stability and Economic Opportunities

In São Tomé, citizens can find a politically and socially stable country with a solid economy based on the Dobra as a currency. Furthermore, those who choose the investment path can get involved in projects related to energy infrastructure, sustainable development, tourism, education, and housing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Cost of the Citizenship by Investment Program?

The highest portion of the cost is the donation, which is $90,000 per single applicant and $95,000 for a family of four, plus all applicable fees. The application fee is paid and consists of a $5,000 payment. Therefore, this is one of the most affordable programs in the world. 

What is the processing Time for Citizenship Approval?

Once the documents and forms are submitted, the process takes approximately 2 months.

What are the Minimum Stay Requirements?

There are no minimum stay requirements in São Tomé. 

Can I maintain my original citizenship? 

Dual citizenship is allowed.

How safe and stable is São Tomé and Príncipe?

Since it's a small country with barely over 200,000 inhabitants, it constitutes a safe environment with a stable political history.

Can I apply for citizenship through real estate?

No. Currently, the only options available are donation and investment in projects. For a real estate entry, the reader should check out other programs like Saint Kitts, Grenada, or Antigua.

Can I add my son/daughter to the application if he/she is divorced?

No. Only unmarried children who haven’t been married before. 

Do I have to be legally married to my partner?

Not necessarily, as São Tomé accepts de facto couples. All that is needed is proof of cohabitation, which can be a utility bill or a bank statement in which both have the same address. 

Are same sex couples accepted?

No.

São Tomé: the African island that may be the solution for Americans and Canadians

When the Portuguese arrived, São Tomé was an uninhabited land. Through the centuries, the island has developed and earned its independence. Now, it has taken a new step towards growth. 

They embrace foreign investment as a way to develop the local economy, boost the markets, and promote valuable projects that will help the nation fulfill its goals on sustainability, education, and urban development. As for the investor, this is the most affordable, flexible, and straightforward CBI, so wait no longer and contact us to start the process. 

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