São Tomé Citizenship by Investment: A Strategic Second Passport for US & Canadian Citizens

Overview of São Tomé and Príncipe

The island of São Tomé, in the Gulf of Guinea, 150 miles off the coast of Africa, has been on everyone's lips since last year when it established its citizenship by investment program. In São Tomé, citizenship by investment is not only possible but also quite accessible. Mundo, as a licensed agent, is proud to present one of the best options available today when it comes to investment migration.

Citizenship by Investment Program

What is the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program about?

When we talk about second citizenship, we usually think about tax benefits or the possibility of traveling more easily to our favorite destinations. In this African nation, applicants find everything they need to become citizens of a new environment and to obtain a second passport through CBI. 

The investment is, at the time of writing, the lowest, while the value is quite high, given that it is a CPLP member and has excellent relationships with its neighbors. For Americans, Canadians, and even Europeans, the program constitutes one of the best chances to set an effective Plan B.

Why Choose São Tomé and Príncipe?

• Its passport facilitates easier travel to key business centers in Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
• It currently has the lowest threshold in the CBI landscape
• Travel visa-free to several significant jurisdictions
• Fewer restrictions when adding family members to the application
• De facto couples can apply (one as the main applicant and the other as a dependent)
• Children allowed until the age of 30 without university requirements
• More convenient than the Caribbean
• Breathtaking nature; the country itself is a UNESCO site
• Producer of world-class cacao
• Stable political environment

Investment Options

National Transformation Fund Contribution

Becoming a citizen is relatively easy. This tells us about the government’s decision to make the program truly appealing to the global citizen. The main entry is through a donation, which will be destined for key projects in various areas. This goes from eco tourism (which is exceptionally thriving in a country with such lush nature) to affordable housing for the people. Other options focus on education, renewable energy, and infrastructure, with the initiatives funded through the National Transformation Fund.

On the financial aspect, the thresholds are $90,000 for a single applicant and $95,000 for a family of up to 4 members. For families of 5 members and up, they require an additional 5,000 per dependent. With this, the family assures a streamlined route to their ideal Plan B. 

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Real Estate Investment Options

Currently, São Tomé doesn’t offer a real estate pathway. Like Vanuatu, the island nation keeps its program simple and its entry open through a contribution to the national transformation fund. 

The advantages of the contribution option

CBI through real estate has been losing popularity due to non-compliance, failure to deliver, or over-construction. Moreover, even though real estate in the Caribbean can be a strategic investment, many are discouraged by the fact that the application is available only through pre-approved projects. 

In this sense, the donation alternative rises as a straightforward option, let alone much more cost-effective. This is the reason why the region has seen the advent of more people-oriented initiatives. An excellent example of how the CBI funds can be used to help the people is the Public Benefit option, whose main goal is to construct affordable housing for St. Kittians and Nevisians. 

São Tomé vs the Caribbean Dream Team

As we can see in the table below, the African Nation has an unbeatable position regarding costs.

Conclusion

From the table above, we can draw two clear conclusions. Firstly, São Tomé is much more convenient than any of the Caribbean programs even through donation. Secondly, it’s the most cost-effective when it comes to large families. Notice that even the donation for a single applicant in the cheapest Caribbean program is much higher than a donation for a family of five in the African nation.

Processing Time

The stipulated processing time from the moment of submission is two months. Even though there can be delays due to various factors, it’s still one of the fastest routes.

Additional Fees

Before the submission, the applicant must pay a flat fee regardless of how many members are applying with him/her. This is a non-reimbursable 5,000-dollar fee. In later stages of the process, the fee is $750, and it's charged for every applicant/dependent. 

Eligibility Criteria

Qualification for Applicants

Children must be single and under 30, while the parents can be included if they are 55 years of age or older. As for the main applicant, they must be at least 18 years old, be in good health, and have no criminal background. One of the mandatory requirements is confirming the legitimacy of the source of income from which the investment will derive.

Family Inclusion

Regarding family inclusion, the program is not as comprehensive as others. Countries like Grenada, Antigua, or Saint Kitts allow you to add your in-laws, your siblings, and your grandparents. In the African country, only the closest relatives can be included, yet this is well compensated for by the program's cost-effectiveness.

Dual Citizenship Permitted

Since it's mainly oriented towards those who want a second passport as a Plan B strategy, dual citizenship is allowed. This, together with the flexible minimum stay requirements, makes the program quite appealing for Americans, Canadians, Europeans (especially from Portugal), and Latin Americans (especially from Brazil). 

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Sao Tome's application Application 

Step-by-Step Process

Initial Consultation

The first step is to contact your Mundo expert, because we are licensed agents. The expert will sit with you through a conversation to assess your case and pre-screen you. 

Document Preparation

Then we proceed to prepare the documents. With our expertise, we can guide you so that the process is as smooth as possible. Remember that documents and copies must be clean, neat, and legible; moreover, duly translated and notarized. 

Application and Submission fee

The applicant pays for the submission fee ($5000), and we submit the application with all the required documentation.

Government Due Diligence

The citizenship unit conducts due diligence, and when the applicant is cleared, it’s a matter of time before he/she obtains an approval notice. 

Investment and Citizenship Issuance

Once you obtain approval, you can proceed to make the donation, which you can transfer through Mundo or directly to the government. A few weeks later, they issue a certificate of registration, the passport, the national ID, and Mundo hands them over to you.

Disclaimer: the information described here about the São Tomé citizenship by investment program might be outdated at the time of reading. Before pursuing citizenship by investment or any type of migration process, please consult with certified professionals. This article doesn't constitute financial or migration advice. 

Benefits of Citizenship

Visa-Free Travel

In the modern world, the document that gets us from country to country is our passport. It is only natural that having a second one enhances our opportunities to travel. With this comes better access to markets, universities, lifestyles, and cultures. 

Specifically with this passport, citizens enhance their international presence with visa-free travel to key jurisdictions like Panama, Singapore, and Hong Kong, and eVisas to Qatar and the UAE.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum investment required?

The minimum investment required is $90,000 for a single applicant and $95,000 for a family of up to 4 members. 

If I’m not approved, will I lose the investment?

No. The donation is made only when you have already been approved. 

Are the fees reimbursable?

No. The submission fee of 5,000 is paid at the beginning of the process, and it’s not reimbursable in case of a rejection. 

How long does the process take?

Assuming there are no delays, the process takes approximately 2 months from the moment of the submission. 

Can I include my family in the application?

Yes, you can include your closest relatives: spouse, parents, and children. 

Is there a physical residency requirement?

São Tomé doesn't stipulate a minimum stay or residency requirement to maintain citizenship.

Obtain a second citizenship through Mundo: who we are and how we can help you

Mundo is a licensed agent for the São Tomé program. As such, we can provide you with reliable information and a safe pathway towards making your donation and applying safely. 

Besides, we can help you obtain a new migration status in several other countries like Vanuatu, St Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and other Caribbean jurisdictions. When it comes to residency, we always recommend Panama, because here we have an on-site team with high expertise in this jurisdiction and ready to help you with every detail.

For years, we have been helping global investors achieve their goals through several sectors, of which migration is only one part. Contact us to register a company, open a bank account, establish a trust, or acquire real estate. We are one click away. 

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