São Tomé and Príncipe Passport: Benefits, Travel Access, and Costs

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport is one of the most accessible second passports in the world thanks to the nation’s citizenship by investment (CBI) program and its low starting cost of $90,000. The passport provides access to over 90 countries either visa-free or visa-on-arrival including South Africa and Singapore.  

Our guide will explain what the passport is, how it ranks globally, the benefits of the passport, the requirements, the costs, how to acquire the passport, and provide a comparison with other passports that are accessible through CBI.  

São Tomé and Príncipe Passport: Key Takeaways

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport enables access to 93 countries either visa-free or visa-on-arrival.  

It is accessible through several avenues including investment, naturalization, and marriage.  

The country’s CBI program has a starting cost of $90,000 for individuals, allows a wide range of dependents, and has a fast-processing time of 4 to 10 weeks.  

Through the CBI program, dual citizenship is allowed.  

The passport costs $350 for issuance per person.  

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport ranks 139^th out of 200 countries in our Global Intelligence Unit’s Passport Index. Additionally, the nation ranks 123^rd on the Quality of Living Index, 139^th on the Investment Index, and 143^rd on the Enhanced Mobility Index.  

The passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 93 countries including South Africa, Singapore, and Hong Kong. This makes it appealing for international investors seeking ease of travel across Africa and Asia.  

1. Visa-Free Travel Across Africa and Asia: The passport enables citizens to travel to 93 countries visa-free or visa-on-arrival including many African and Asian nations. This is particularly useful for those with a weak passport. 
2. Fast Citizenship for Investors: The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment program allows individuals to gain citizenship in exchange for a qualifying investment. The program has a particularly fast processing time of 4 to 10 weeks.  
3. Dual Citizenship Allowed: The nation allows dual citizenship which means that investors can expand their passport portfolio and acquire a backup in times of local uncertainty.  
4. Favorable Tax Regime: Citizens are not tax-residents of the country unless they spend more than 183 days a year there. Non-residents are not taxed on their global income, and there are zero taxes on inheritance, dividends, or capital gains.  
5. CPLP Benefits: The Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP) may allow São Tomé and Príncipe citizens to have a simplified pathway to Portuguese residency through waivers on certain income and insurance requirements. 
6. Low Starting Cost: The Citizenship by Investment program has a starting cost of $90,000 for individuals and $95,000 for families. This cost makes the program one of the cheapest in the world, especially for families.  

The São Tomé and Príncipe passport can be applied for through consulates, embassies, or at a civil registry office in São Tomé. Individuals who acquired citizenship through investment can also renew their passport at the CIU office in Dubai. The following documents are required for application or renewal:  

• Current/expired passport 
• 2 passport-sized color photos 
• Proof of payment 

To qualify for the CBI program, applicants must meet the following criteria: 

Main applicant requirements: 

• At least 18 years old 
• Of good character 
• Provide a clean criminal record 
• Demonstrate that investment funds come from lawful and verifiable sources 
• Successfully pass due diligence checks 
• Submit all required civil documentation 

Family eligibility: 

• Spouses or de facto partners 
• Dependent children (up to age 30) 
• Dependent parents or grandparents (aged 55 and above) 

A passport costs $350 to issue or renew in São Tomé and Príncipe. For those taking the CBI route, the following minimum costs will apply:  

• $90,000 – for a single applicant  
• $95,000 – for a family of 2 to 4  
• $5,000 – for each additional family member 

Additionally, there are also several processing fees and other once-off costs as a part of the program:  

• $5,000 – submission fee (per application) 
• $5,000 – financial sponsor fee (if applicable) 
• $750 – citizenship document fees (passport, national ID, and citizenship certificate) per applicant 

The contribution is made to the National Transformation Fund, and this is non-refundable. Unlike some other programs, applicants will only need to make their donation once they have received Approval in Principle. If an applicant does not pass due diligence, they will only lose their $5,000 processing fee and nothing else. 

To acquire a São Tomé and Príncipe passport individuals will first need to get citizenship in the country. This can be done through the following avenues:  

• Citizenship by Investment 
• Naturalization after 5 years of residence 
• Marriage to a São Toméan citizen 
• Citizenship by descent 
• Citizenship by birth 

It is important to note that the nation only allows dual citizenship through the CBI program, or under exceptional circumstances. Once one of these pathways has been completed and citizenship has been acquired, individuals may acquire the São Toméan passport.  

The following is a comparison of a range of passports that are accessible through CBI: