# Is São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Legitimate, and Is It Worth It? Yes. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment is a government programme created by Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 (Diário da República, I Série, n.º 33, 1 August 2025) under Nationality Law n.º 7/2022, and run by a government unit under the justice minister. You can verify it at cip.gov.st, which publishes the fee schedule and the list of licensed agents. Official costs are USD 95,750 for one person, and the contribution is paid only after approval. It suits people who want a lawful second citizenship with no residence requirement; the passport reaches 58 destinations and gives no visa-free access to the Schengen Area or the United Kingdom. - **Legitimate:** created by Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025 (Diário da República, I Série, n.º 33, 1 August 2025) under Nationality Law n.º 7/2022, and run by a government unit under the justice minister. - **Verifiable:** the official site is cip.gov.st, and it publishes the fee schedule and the list of 144 licensed agents (checked 10 November 2026). - **Official cost:** USD 95,750 for one person and USD 103,000 for a family of four, before professional fees. The contribution is paid only after approval and is non-refundable. - **Honest limits:** a young programme, 58 destinations visa-free or with visa on arrival, and no visa-free access to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the United States or China. - **Worth it if:** you want a lawful second citizenship with no residence requirement at one of the lowest entry costs. Choose a Caribbean programme if European travel matters. ## Is São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment legitimate? Yes. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment is a government programme with a published legal basis: Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, printed in the Diário da República (I Série, n.º 33) on 1 August 2025, made under Nationality Law n.º 7/2022 of 10 March 2022. The official programme site names both laws in its [FAQ](https://cip.gov.st/faq). The programme is run by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), a government unit under the minister responsible for justice, with its head office in Dubai and an office in São Tomé. The route is a form of naturalisation that the Nationality Law itself provides for: the Government may grant nationality to a foreigner who makes a donation or an investment that benefits the country. Our [São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment programme page](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/sao-tome-principe-citizenship-by-investment) sets out the full rules, fees and timeline. Legitimate does not mean right for everyone. The rest of this guide is the due diligence we would want you to do before you spend anything. ## How can you verify the São Tomé programme yourself? You can verify the São Tomé and Príncipe programme with five checks: the gazette reference, the official website, the licensed agent list, the fee schedule and the payment rules. Each one can be checked against a government source without relying on any intermediary, including us. - **The gazette reference.** Ask for the decree by its full name: Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, Diário da República, I Série, n.º 33, 1 August 2025. A genuine adviser can show you the text and point to the article behind each rule. - **The official website.** The government site is [cip.gov.st](https://cip.gov.st/). Sites on other domains, however official they look, belong to private agents. - **The agent list.** Applications can only be submitted through a licensed marketing agent. The official list at [cip.gov.st/marketing-agents](https://cip.gov.st/marketing-agents) had 144 entries on 10 November 2026. Ask any intermediary which licensed agent will file your application, then find that name on the list. - **The fee schedule.** The amounts on the [official fees page](https://cip.gov.st/donation-to-the-national-transformation-fund) match Annex I of the decree. A quote that shows different government figures is a reason to stop and ask why. - **The payment rules.** Only the USD 5,000 due diligence and processing fee is paid when you apply. The contribution is paid after approval, within 90 days (decree Art. 14), into the National Transformation Fund's own bank account, held in the name of the Republic (decree Art. 7 and 8). | Item | Amount | | --- | --- | | Contribution, single applicant | USD 90,000 | | Contribution, family of 2 to 4 | USD 95,000 | | Each additional dependant | USD 5,000 | | Due diligence and processing fee, per application | USD 5,000 | | Citizenship documents, per applicant | USD 750 | | Total, single applicant | USD 95,750 before professional fees | | Total, family of four | USD 103,000 before professional fees | The donation to the National Transformation Fund is the only route. There is no property or business option. Our [São Tomé citizenship cost guide](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-cbi-cost-2026) itemises every fee for different family sizes. ## What does the due diligence involve? Due diligence on a São Tomé and Príncipe application is carried out by independent providers appointed by the Unit, then reviewed by state bodies before any approval. The decree requires checks on integrity and on the lawful origin of funds for every applicant (Art. 11), and the Unit may ask for an interview in person or by video. You should expect to provide a criminal record certificate issued within the last three months, covering your countries of nationality and of residence in the last five years, bank statements and evidence of your source of funds, civil status documents and a medical certificate. The [requirements and documents guide](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-cbi-requirements-2026) has the full list. A Review Committee chaired by the Public Prosecutor's representative assesses whether the checks meet anti-money-laundering standards (Art. 9). Each file then goes to the Public Prosecutor for prior review before the Unit decides (Art. 11 and 14). The decree also places the Fund under an annual independent audit and requires the Unit to report every quarter to the justice minister, the Public Prosecutor and the National Assembly (Art. 7 and 21). Applications are refused. By 1 September 2026 the Unit had rejected 12 applications and approved 350 (CIU First Year Report). A serious adviser screens your file before you pay the non-refundable fee. ## What do you get as a citizen of São Tomé and Príncipe? You receive full citizenship of São Tomé and Príncipe, documented by a certificate of registration, a national identity card and a passport. The official site states that citizenship acquired through the programme [carries no distinction from citizenship by birth](https://cip.gov.st/benefits-of-citizenship), and that it can be passed to future generations under national law. - **Family:** the official site lists a spouse or de facto partner, children up to 30 years, and parents and grandparents from 55 years. - **No residence requirement:** you do not need to live in or relocate to the country during or after the application. - **Dual citizenship:** you are not required to give up your existing nationality. - **Travel:** 58 destinations visa-free or with visa on arrival, including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR and South Africa. - **Military service:** citizens naturalised under the decree are exempt from compulsory military service (Art. 16). Have a question about your own family? [Ask Mirabello Consultancy in a free consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) before you commit to a route. ## What are the honest limits of São Tomé citizenship? The limits of São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship are a short track record, a non-refundable contribution, modest travel reach and rules that were still being refined in 2026. None of them makes the programme less lawful. All of them belong in your decision. ### A young programme with one year of results Applications opened in September 2025. As at 1 September 2026 the Unit reported 548 applications, 350 approved, 12 rejected, 117 citizenships granted and 29 passports issued, with over USD 9.8 million raised for the Fund (CIU First Year Report). That is real activity, and it is also only one year of it. ### The contribution is not recoverable The USD 90,000 or USD 95,000 is a donation, not an investment you can sell. The USD 5,000 fee is non-refundable once the application is submitted. ### Travel reach is modest The São Tomé and Príncipe passport reaches 58 destinations visa-free or with visa on arrival on the method Mirabello uses for every passport; the Henley Passport Index listed 59 on 9 October 2026. Holders need a visa for the destinations most clients ask about first. | Destination | Access | | --- | --- | | Schengen Area | Visa required | | United Kingdom | Visa required | | United States | Visa required | | China | Visa required | | Portugal | Visa required | | Brazil | Visa required | The full list is in our guide to [São Tomé passport visa-free countries](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-passport-visa-free-2026). ### Rules were still being refined in 2026 A CIU memorandum of 10 April 2026 placed new applications from people who hold three or more foreign nationalities on hold, and placed passport issuance for adult dependent children on hold pending a revised dependency framework. If either applies to you, confirm the current position before you apply. ### Timelines are measured in months The official timeline is about 2 months to a decision and about 4 months from approval to passport, 5 to 6 months in total. A CIU memorandum of 29 June 2026 states that citizenship documents take a minimum of about 12 weeks after payment. ### What is not officially published The validity period of the passport is not stated by an official São Toméan source. The programme site publishes no tax rules for citizens who live abroad; citizenship alone does not change where you are tax resident. Citizenship is also not irrevocable: loss follows the Nationality Law, which for example removes naturalised citizenship obtained by fraud (Law n.º 7/2022, Art. 16). ### Third parties decide for themselves Banks, consulates and other countries apply their own rules to any passport, including this one. No programme can promise how a third party will treat its citizens. ## Who is São Tomé citizenship worth it for, and who should choose something else? São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is worth it for people who want a lawful second citizenship with no residence requirement at one of the lowest entry costs among active programmes, and who do not need European travel from it. It is the wrong choice if visa-free access to the Schengen Area or the United Kingdom is your main goal. - **It suits you if** you want a second nationality as a contingency for your family, your travel is mainly within Africa and Asia, and a contribution of USD 90,000 to USD 95,000 fits your budget. - **Choose a Caribbean programme if** you need wider travel. Caribbean citizenship starts from USD 200,000 and reaches far more destinations, including the Schengen Area. Compare them in our guide to the [best citizenship by investment programmes](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/best-citizenship-by-investment-programs). - **Compare the Pacific options if** speed or a different region matters: see [São Tomé vs Nauru](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/sao-tome-principe-vs-nauru-citizenship-2026) and the [Vanuatu programme](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/immigration/citizenship-by-investment-in-vanuatu). ## What are the red flags when dealing with intermediaries? The red flags are offers that contradict the official record: a price below the government schedule, a promise of Schengen access, a passport in six weeks, a request to pay the contribution before approval, or an agent who is not on the official list. Each can be tested against cip.gov.st in minutes. - **A price below the official schedule.** Government amounts are fixed by the decree. Nobody can lawfully reduce them. - **A promise of Schengen, United Kingdom or United States access.** The passport does not give it. - **Six weeks to passport.** The official figure is 5 to 6 months in total. - **Payment of the contribution before approval,** or to any account other than the Fund's. - **An intermediary who cannot name a listed agent.** The decree punishes unlicensed promotion with a fine of up to USD 500,000 (Art. 6). Mirabello Consultancy works the same way we ask you to check others. Applications are filed through a government-licensed agent; we advise you on whether the programme fits, prepare the file with you and coordinate the process. Mirabello Consultancy is a Swiss investment migration advisory with offices in Zurich, Dubai and Hong Kong SAR, an Investment Migration Council member with ACAMS-certified leadership, 2,100+ cases handled and a high approval rate (more [about our team](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/about)). [Book a free consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) in any of our 11 languages. In summary São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment is legitimate: a decree-law, a government unit, a published fee schedule and a public list of licensed agents, all of which you can check yourself. Whether it is worth it depends on your purpose. As a lawful second citizenship with no residence requirement at USD 95,750 for one person, it does its job. As a travel document for Europe, it does not, and a Caribbean programme is the better fit. [Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) and we will tell you plainly which side of that line you are on. Frequently asked questions ## Frequently asked questions ### Is São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment legitimate? Yes. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment was created by Decreto-Lei n.º 07/2025, published in the Diário da República (I Série, n.º 33) on 1 August 2025, under Nationality Law n.º 7/2022. It is run by the Citizenship by Investment Unit, a government unit under the minister responsible for justice. ### What is the official website of the São Tomé citizenship by investment programme? The official website is cip.gov.st, run by the Citizenship by Investment Unit of São Tomé and Príncipe. It publishes the fee schedule, the eligibility criteria and the list of licensed marketing agents. Sites on other domains belong to private agents. ### Is São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship worth it? São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship is worth it if you want a lawful second citizenship with no residence requirement at one of the lowest entry costs among active programmes, USD 95,750 in official costs for one person. It is not worth it if you need visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the United States or China, which the passport does not give. ### How do I check whether a São Tomé citizenship agent is licensed? Open the official list at cip.gov.st/marketing-agents and look for the company's exact legal name. The list had 144 entries on 10 November 2026. Applications can only be submitted through a licensed marketing agent, so ask any intermediary which listed agent will file yours. ### How much does São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship cost in total? The official cost is USD 95,750 for a single applicant and USD 103,000 for a family of four, before professional fees. That is the contribution of USD 90,000 or USD 95,000 to the National Transformation Fund, a USD 5,000 due diligence and processing fee per application, and USD 750 per applicant for citizenship documents. ### When do I pay the São Tomé citizenship contribution? You pay the contribution only after your application is approved, within 90 days of approval, into the National Transformation Fund's own bank account. Only the USD 5,000 due diligence and processing fee is paid at submission, and it is non-refundable. ### How long does São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship take? The official timeline is about 2 months to a decision and about 4 months from approval to passport, 5 to 6 months in total. The Citizenship by Investment Unit stated on 29 June 2026 that citizenship documents take a minimum of about 12 weeks after payment. ### Can São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship be taken away? Yes, in defined cases. São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment is not irrevocable: loss of nationality follows the Nationality Law, which for example removes naturalised citizenship obtained by fraud. The official site states that citizenship by investment otherwise carries no distinction from citizenship by birth. ### Does São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship give access to Europe? No. The São Tomé and Príncipe passport does not give visa-free access to the Schengen Area, Portugal or the United Kingdom. It reaches 58 destinations visa-free or with visa on arrival, including Singapore, Hong Kong SAR and South Africa. ### How do I start with Mirabello Consultancy? Start with a free, confidential consultation. Mirabello Consultancy reviews your goals, tells you whether São Tomé and Príncipe or another programme fits, prepares your file and coordinates the application, which is filed through a government-licensed agent. [Book your free consultation](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation) in any of our 11 languages. ## Ready to explore your options? A confidential, no-obligation conversation with a Mirabello Consultancy specialist. Swiss precision, global reach, absolute discretion. Researching this yourself? Mirabello's verified data also answers inside your AI assistant. [Ask it in ChatGPT](https://chatgpt.com/plugins/plugin_asdk_app_6a6b503925b0819188bd4b6519d60f1a) or [add it to Claude](https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/mcp#connect). --- Source: Mirabello Consultancy, verified 2026-11-10, https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/blog/is-sao-tome-principe-citizenship-by-investment-legit-2026 Free consultation: https://www.mirabelloconsultancy.com/contact-us-for-your-free-consultation Machine-readable data: Mirabello MCP https://mcp.mirabelloconsultancy.com/v1/programmes/sao-tome-cbi