The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship Investment Unit has approved a new process.
Lyle Julien, investment programmes expert at Immigrant Invest, commented on the changes.
What has changed
São Tomé and Príncipe continues to improve the procedure for granting citizenship to investors. The latest changes were approved by the CBI Unit on May 4th, 2026.
Cancellation of video verification
Applicants no longer need to verify their identity by video conference. This stage used to be mandatory for issuing a passport. All information about investors and documents will be transferred through a licensed agent.
Previously, an investor had to undergo remote identification in the presence of a notary from São Tomé and Príncipe.
Remote document issuance
The country has also simplified the final stage of obtaining citizenship. Now the national identity card and passport can be delivered by courier.
An investor does not need to travel to São Tomé and Príncipe, visit an embassy, or contact the CBI Unit in person, unlike in Vanuatu. This makes the São Tomé and Príncipe programme one of the most accessible in the industry.
Lyle Julien,
Investment programmes expert
The cancellation of video conferences saves applicants time. The total procedure period may be reduced to 2 months. Now the process looks easier for investors with busy schedules or those who do not like communicating by video call.
In most countries with second citizenship programmes, including the Caribbean countries and Vanuatu, an investor needs to travel to the country in person or to biometric enrolment centres abroad.
São Tomé and Príncipe programme is the fastest in the world
São Tomé and Príncipe has already issued the first passports to foreign investors. The total application processing time does not exceed 2.5 months. A reminder of the financial requirements for investors:
- minimum investment — $90,000;
- application processing fee — $5,000.
Citizenship is available to investors over 18 with no criminal record or serious illnesses. Together with the investor, passports may be obtained by a spouse or partner, children, parents, and grandparents over 55.
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