# São Tomé and Príncipe Launches a New US$90,000 CBI Program

Source: https://www.savoryandpartners.com/news/sao-tome-citizenship-by-investment-program-2025 · Published: 2025-08-06 · Updated: 2025-08-06

São Tomé and Príncipe launches a US$90,000 Citizenship by Investment Program with six-week processing, no residency, and family-friendly options.

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São Tomé and Príncipe has officially launched its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program, giving foreign nationals the opportunity to acquire citizenship through a US$90,000 contribution.

The program became legally effective on August 1, 2025, and applications will begin in the first week of September.

The program operates under a public-private partnership model and will be processed through a newly established Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU), headquartered in Dubai.

## Key Features of the Program

**Submission Fee**

US$5,000 per application (flat, regardless of family size)

**Donation (after Approval in Principle)**

- Single applicant: US$90,000
- Family of 2–4: US$95,000 total
- Each additional dependent: US$5,000

**Post-Approval Government Fees **_(per person)_

- Passport issuance: US$350
- National ID: US$150
- Certificate of Registration: US$250

**Processing Time**

- Around six weeks from submission to approval

**Eligible Dependents**

- Spouse
- Children up to age 30 (unmarried and financially dependent)
- Parents aged 55 and over

**Future Additions to the Family**

- Newborns and new spouses can be added later for an additional fee

There are no interviews or residency requirements, and most nationalities are eligible, only North Korea is excluded.

## What Makes São Tomé and Príncipe Worth Considering

Set in the Gulf of Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe is one of Africa’s smallest countries, but it’s full of quiet appeal. A former Portuguese colony, it offers a peaceful, tropical lifestyle that’s hard to find elsewhere.

Beyond the scenery, São Tomé is serious about development. The government is heavily investing in renewable energy, infrastructure, and eco-tourism, with a strong focus on long-term sustainability.

You also get:

- Visa-free and visa on arrival access to 57 countries
- A welcoming approach to foreigners
- Low crime, clean air, and a growing international interest in its future

## Economic Impact and National Vision

All contributions from the CBI program will be directed into a **National Transformation Fund**, with the flagship project being a nationwide **renewable energy infrastructure** initiative.

This project will enable São Tomé to become one of the few countries in the world to operate fully on **clean energy**.

Subsequent investments will support:

- Affordable housing
- Education
- Road development
- Local entrepreneurship and small businesses

The program is a tool to drive **foreign direct investment**, create **local jobs**, and foster **sustainable economic growth**.

## The Next Steps

As a new entrant to the global investment migration landscape, São Tomé and Príncipe’s CBI program reflects a modern, streamlined approach rooted in both efficiency and inclusivity. Though the legal framework is now in place, some operational details are still being finalized.