A Sub-$100K Second Passport

In September 2025, São Tomé & Príncipe—a little-known island state with historic ties to Portugal—launched what is currently the most competitively priced Citizenship By Investment (CBI) program in the world.

With approvals projected in six to eight weeks and a sub $100,000 investment threshold, the São Tomé CBI has positioned itself as the fastest, most economically-accessible and family-friendly path to a second passport.

This is undoubtedly a smart move. Today, more people than ever would like to obtain a second passport. Whether it’s simply as a Plan B hedge against political instability, or for better global access to banking, to access other countries’ residency programs etc., reasons to seek a new citizenship are as diverse as the applicants. In our second citizenship business, there is never a standard case.

If you’ve ever been tempted to obtain a second (or third) passport, but have been put off by the high capital demands and arguably intrusive due diligence requirements of the Caribbean or European CBI programs, The Democratic Republic of São Tomé & Príncipe may be just the ticket.

Here’s just a few reasons why…

1. Lowest Price Among Global CBIs

A single applicant can secure São Tomé citizenship for a donation of $90,000 (plus initial submission and due diligence fees). For a family of up to four, that threshold rises to $95,000, with $5,000 added for each additional qualifying dependent.

Even with a few additional fees that are involved, these figures make São Tomé’s scheme one of the few CBI programs that can come in for many if not most applicants at under $100,000—dramatically undercutting alternatives.

2. Fast Processing Time

Unlike some programs that take months, a year, or more, São Tomé’s program is designed for efficiency. The CIU targets six weeks as a standard processing duration.

Of course, it’s a new program so we will need to see if they can stick to the deadlines, but right now the volume is low and there is ample processing capacity. São Tomé & Príncipe’s Citizenship By Investment unit is a public-private partnership and promises efficiency.

3. Simplicity, Flexibility, And Low Admin Burden

There is no physical presence or residence requirement. You needn’t relocate, live, or spend time in São Tomé. You don’t even need to visit, though I would recommend it!

You can pick up your passports at an embassy, or have them sent to you by private courier.

No complicated language tests, interviews, or cultural exams. The assessment is based entirely on the documentation collected and submitted via your authorized agent. All you need to do is comply with the program requirements (more on that below) and you’re approved.

Relatively light documentation requirements. Of course, it’s in everybody’s interest to keep bad actors out for the overall reputation of the passport, so due diligence is important. However, the legislation has slashed much of the bureaucracy. For example, there is no requirement for apostilles. Physical documents are not required either, as the process is carried out fully online.

Confidentiality is assured. The government will not publish the names of approved applicants—a departure from some CBI regimes that publicly list new citizens.

Multiple citizenships are allowed. São Tomé permits dual (or multiple) nationality, offering flexibility for those who don’t wish to renounce their birth citizenship.

Funds are accepted in multiple forms. You can pay all the fees by wire transfer in any major currency, or in crypto (Bitcoin or stablecoin).

4. Family Friendly

São Tomé’s program allows the inclusion within the same application of:

• The spouse of the main applicant.
• Financially dependent children up to age 30.
• Parents/grandparents (aged 55 or older) of the main applicant/spouse.

Each additional dependent comes with a modest fee ($5,000), making it feasible to cover several generations of large families with the main $90K investment.

My company is a licensed agent under the São Tomé & Príncipe program. Thanks to this vote of confidence from the government, we have just started onboarding the first applicants to the program. If you’d like to know more, get in touch here.

Sincerely,
Nick Stevens
Contributor, Simon Letter