São Tomé and Príncipe Unveils Citizenship by Investment Program with Dubai Hub

São Tomé and Príncipe (STP) has officially launched its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program, effective August 1st. The West African island nation enters the global investment migration market with a unique model centered on a public-private partnership (PPP) based in Dubai.

Program Costs & Structure

Submission Fee - US$5,000 (non-refundable, per application, any family size).

Donation After Approval:

• Single Applicant: US$90,000
• Family (2-4 members): US$95,000 total
• Each Extra Dependent: +US$5,000
• Additional mandatory fees per person upon approval include a US$350 Passport Fee, US$150 National ID Card, and US$250 Certificate of Registration.

Dubai-Based Management & Speed

The program will be administered by the Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU), a statutory PPP entity headquartered in Dubai, UAE. STP Service Advisory, a newly formed UAE firm working with the STP government, will operate the CIU, led by a São Toméan citizen.

Alfredo Trinidade, Head of STP's Promotion, Commerce and Investment Agency (APCI), highlighted the advantages: "This innovative PPP structure sets us apart, combining private efficiency with government oversight. Qualified staff in Dubai's fast-paced environment will process applications much faster than traditional departments."

Applications open in the first week of September 2024, with a target processing time of just 6 weeks. Trinidade cited Dubai's global accessibility, flexibility to scale with demand, and ability to recruit top industry talent as key reasons for the location.

Eligibility: Inclusivity & Dependents

The program maintains a broad nationality policy:

• Russians and Iranians are eligible.
• Only North Koreans are restricted.

Qualifying dependents encompass:

• Spouse
• Unmarried, financially dependent children up to age 30
• Parents over age 55

Adding dependents after initial approval requires a new US$5,000 submission fee plus additional donations: US$10,000 for a spouse, US$5,000 per other dependent, or US$500 for a newborn (all payable after Approval in Principle). There are no residency requirements or interviews; biometric checks are used.

Funding National Transformation

All donations flow into a National Transformation Fund (NTF), earmarked for critical development. The initial "lighthouse project" is a nationwide renewable energy infrastructure initiative aiming to power the entire country sustainably.

Passport Value & Target Investor

São Toméan passports offer visa-free access to 61 destinations, including South Africa (visas required for EU & UK). Trinidade positions the program for sophisticated investors seeking "the true value of second citizenship beyond simple global mobility." Key benefits include:

• Legal tax restructuring
• Global diversification & estate planning
• Business expansion opportunities
• Political risk mitigation
• Enhanced privacy protection

Agent Commission & Logistics

Agents receive a flat US$20,000 commission per approved application (any family size), plus potential office fees. While a São Tomé embassy is planned for Abu Dhabi, the Dubai CIU will handle passport renewals initially.

This launch marks São Tomé and Príncipe's strategic entry into the CBI market, emphasizing speed, a unique PPP structure, global accessibility via Dubai, and a clear commitment to national development through the NTF.

If you are interested in obtaining residency or citizenship in another country, please take a look at our citizenship and residency programs.