São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment: contributions, family eligibility and application steps
The cost and timing of citizenship in São Tomé and Príncipe depend on who qualifies, the charges beyond the fund contribution and the steps that follow approval. The published minimum and processing estimate capture only part of the application.
Each eligible additional dependant beyond the covered family size adds US$5,000. There is also a US$5,000 submission fee per application and US$750 per person for identity and travel documents, with other costs additional. The contribution is a donation, not redeemable principal.
The legal basis and application route
The programme authority cites Nationality Law No. 07 of 2022 and Decree-Law No. 07 of 2025 as the basis for citizenship through a qualifying contribution to the National Transformation Fund. Applications begin through a licensed marketing agent and are assessed by the relevant government bodies.[1]
The contribution is a donation and creates no asset for the applicant to sell. Cost comparisons should therefore account for it as a one-off expense, separately from investments that may return capital or have a resale value.
The contribution and other charges
The authority’s contribution page lists US$90,000 for one applicant, US$95,000 for a family of two to four and US$5,000 for each additional eligible dependant. It also lists a US$5,000 submission fee per application and US$750 per person for the registration certificate, passport and national ID documents.[2]
Scroll horizontally to read the full table
| Item | Published amount | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| One applicant’s contribution | US$90,000 | Payment to the fund, excluding other charges |
| Family of two to four | US$95,000 | Assumes every included family member qualifies |
| Additional dependant | US$5,000 each | Additional contribution above the relevant family allowance |
| Submission fee | US$5,000 per application | Separate from the fund contribution |
| Citizenship and travel documents | US$750 per person | Calculated for each applicant |
The published charges cover only part of the total cost. Document preparation, certification, translation, banking and professional services require a separate budget. Where another person provides the funds, their screening, supporting documents and associated fees also need to be established.
The authority requires the fund contribution after approval in principle.[2] Payment documents should identify the recipient, the basis for the payment and any conditions under which a refund is available.
Which relatives qualify
The main applicant must be at least 18, meet the background requirements, demonstrate a lawful source of funds and pass due diligence. Programme materials allow qualifying spouses or de facto partners, children and older relatives to apply.[1][4]
The eligibility page and FAQ give different ages for parents and grandparents. Families intending to include these relatives need a clear answer from the authority on age and other eligibility conditions before settling the application scope and budget.[4]
Eligibility has a direct bearing on cost. If a relative cannot join as a dependant, a quotation based on a family of two to four may no longer apply.
Evidence of identity, family ties and funds
The official process lists passports, identity documents, birth certificates, marriage and other civil-status records, police certificates, bank records and source-of-funds evidence.[3]
Birth and marriage records establish identity and family ties. Bank records trace the movement of money; source-of-funds evidence explains how it was earned or acquired. An account balance alone rarely accounts for years of accumulated wealth.
Names, dates of birth and family relationships should be consistent across the file, with transactions supporting the declared source of funds. Changes of name, divorce, remarriage or changes in business ownership may call for additional records and explanations.
From approval to a passport
Preparation and submission are followed by due diligence and a decision. Approval in principle leaves further steps to complete: paying the contribution, obtaining citizenship documents and securing a passport.[3]
The authority gives indicative periods of about two months for a decision and about three to four months for the passport stage after approval.[1] Neither is guaranteed. The two-month estimate covers the decision, with passport issuance still to follow.
Travel and other commitments should depend on documents actually issued. Rights to visit, work or live elsewhere remain subject to the destination country’s rules, while tax status requires its own assessment.
A written account of the relatives included, all fees, payment dates and application stages gives a family a firmer basis for deciding whether the programme meets its needs.
Official sources and legislation
1. São Tomé and Príncipe CIU: programme and stated legal basis
2. São Tomé and Príncipe CIU: National Transformation Fund contribution and fees
3. São Tomé and Príncipe CIU: application process and documents
This article provides general information. Check the latest rules, fees and ongoing requirements for your application before proceeding.