São Tomé and Príncipe · Citizenship
São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship: eligibility, costs and the application process
Three questions matter when considering citizenship in São Tomé and Príncipe: which family members qualify, what must be paid beyond the contribution, and what happens between approval and receiving a passport. A minimum amount or an estimated decision time does not give the whole picture.
How the programme works
The programme authority identifies Nationality Law No. 07/2022 and Decree-Law No. 07/2025 as its legal basis. Applicants make a qualifying contribution to the National Transformation Fund. A licensed marketing agent starts the application, and the relevant government bodies review it and make the decision.[1]
The contribution is a donation, not the purchase of an asset that can later be sold. When comparing options, treat it as a one-off expense rather than an investment with a possible repayment or 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 |
These published charges are not a complete service quotation. Document preparation, certification, translation, banking, professional services and other applicable costs need to be checked separately. If someone else provides the money, ask about the supporter’s screening, documents and fees.
Timing matters too. The authority states that the fund contribution is paid after approval in principle.[2] Understand who receives each payment, which document authorises it and whether it is refundable under any conditions.
Family size does not settle eligibility
The official requirements include a main applicant aged at least 18, an acceptable background, a lawful source of funds and satisfactory due diligence. Programme materials provide for eligible spouses or de facto partners, children and older relatives.[1][4]
However, the eligibility page gives inconsistent ages for parents and grandparents compared with its FAQ section. Anyone planning to include those relatives should obtain a clear explanation from the authority of the age and other conditions. A family price alone does not establish who can apply.[4]
This also affects the budget. If someone cannot join as a dependant, an estimate for a family of two to four may no longer apply.
Documents need to explain identity, relationships and money
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]
Each serves a different purpose. Civil records establish identity and family relationships. Bank records show how money moves, while source-of-funds documents explain how it was acquired. An account balance alone rarely explains years of wealth accumulation.
Before submitting the file, check names and birth details, the documents linking family members and whether the declared source of funds matches actual transactions. Name changes, divorce and remarriage or changes in business ownership may require further records and explanations.
Approval is not the same as receiving a passport
The official process includes preparation, submission, due diligence and a decision. After approval in principle, the applicant still needs to pay the contribution, obtain citizenship documents and complete the passport process.[3]
The authority currently gives an estimated decision time of about two months and a further passport stage of about three to four months after approval.[1] These are separate stages, and neither is a guaranteed deadline. “Approval in about two months” does not mean “a passport in about two months”.
Travel and other important plans should be based on documents actually issued. Permission to visit, work or live in another country depends on that destination’s own rules. Tax treatment also requires a separate assessment.
Before applying, obtain a clear account of the family members included, the fees, the payment dates and the remaining steps. That makes it easier to judge whether the programme meets the family’s 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.