São Tomé and Príncipe’s citizenship‑by‑investment programme, launched in August 2025, issued its first passport in January 2026. After an initial surge of applications, processing times have lengthened as the government builds out the required infrastructure and due‑diligence capacity.
Programme framework and recent performance
- Legal basis: Nationality Law No. 07/2022 and Decree‑Law No. 07/2025.
- Administration: Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), a public‑private partnership operating under a ten‑year exclusive agreement with the government.
- Early activity (Sept 2025 – Jan 2026): 98 applications received, 27 reviewed, first passport issued; average processing time ≈ 2.5 months, with one case completed in one month.
- Current activity (mid‑2026 onward): Reported minimum processing time of eight months, attributed to higher application volume, procedural and legislative adjustments, and strengthened due‑diligence. The CIU is hiring additional staff and improving inter‑agency coordination to reduce timelines.
Regulatory updates (April 10 2026 memorandum)
- Remote passport issuance: Video verification now replaces the previous requirement for in‑person biometric enrolment in São Tomé, Lisbon, or Brussels, easing logistics for applicants outside Europe or West Africa.
- Multiple nationality restriction: Applications from individuals already holding three or more citizenships are temporarily suspended under Nationality Law No. 07/2022.
- Adult‑dependent framework: A revised policy for adult children over 18 is pending formal issuance; applicants with adult dependants should verify current criteria before finalising family applications.
Investment requirement
- Non‑refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund:
- $90,000 for a single applicant
- $95,000 for a family of up to four members
- Additional $5,000 for each extra dependent
The contribution is directed toward national development projects, initially renewable‑energy initiatives, followed by housing, education, and infrastructure.
Eligibility and benefits
- Residency: No physical residency requirement.
- Interviews, language, cultural tests: None required.
- Family inclusion: Spouse, financially dependent children (age thresholds pending confirmation), and parents may be included.
- Travel: Visa‑free or visa‑on‑arrival access to 60 + destinations.
- Taxation: No worldwide income tax liability for non‑resident citizens.
- Strategic positioning: Portuguese‑language ties provide potential advantages for investors or families with connections across the Community of Portuguese Language Countries.
Expected processing time
- Realistic timeline: Six to eight months, with the possibility of longer periods while the CIU scales operations. Earlier one‑ to two‑month figures reflect the programme’s launch phase and are no longer representative.
Assessment of value
For applicants prioritising low entry cost, broad travel access, and a tax‑neutral status, São Tomé and Príncipe remains competitive. The programme’s youth explains current processing delays but also indicates ongoing reforms aimed at establishing a durable, credible system. Prospective investors should factor the six‑to‑eight‑month processing window into their planning.
Source article: knightsbridge.ae
