The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Programme has released its first annual report since officially launching operations.
Officially launched in August 2025, this new program has accumulated a batch of genuine application and approval data during its first operating year. Among these, Chinese applicants have shown particularly prominent participation. WorldWay Immigration has also noted that as the program's operations gradually stabilize, São Tomé is entering the horizon of second citizenship planning for an increasing number of families.
1. 548 Applications in the First Year
Chinese Applicants Account for Nearly 30%
According to the first annual report of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Programme, a total of 548 applications were received during its first year of official operation, of which 350 were approved, covering applicants of 72 nationalities.
In terms of processing efficiency, the fastest application was approved in just 26 days, with an average processing period of approximately 2 months.
Among applicants from various countries, China ranked first with 159 applications, accounting for 29.01%, making it the largest source country of applicants in the program's first year.
Family application characteristics are also very prominent: 47% of applications came from families of 2–4 members, 43% were single applicants, and 10% came from families of 5–8 members.
In other words, more than half of the applications were submitted as family units. In the view of WorldWay Immigration, this also reflects the growing attention given to the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Programme in comprehensive family identity planning.
2. Behind the USD 9.8 Million
CBI Funds Have Entered National Development
Another set of data in the first annual report deserves attention.
As of the end of the first operating year, the program has generated over USD 9.8 million for the National Transformation Fund. According to disclosures from the Citizenship by Investment Unit, these funds will be allocated to national development priorities, including energy infrastructure, water quality and supply, sewage treatment, waste management, and the digitization of public services.
Among these, a portion of the funds has already begun supporting energy and government digital infrastructure projects.
This also reflects the underlying logic of the program: applicants obtain citizenship by making a qualifying contribution to the National Transformation Fund, and the funds are further channeled into national infrastructure and public service construction.
For a new program that has been operational for just one year, a complete closed loop of application, approval, investment, and fund utilization has gradually taken shape, creating a more direct connection between the “citizenship program” and national development.
3. Why is São Tomé
Favored by Chinese Families?
In addition to the actual operational data from the first year, WorldWay Immigration believes that several features of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Programme itself are equally worthy of attention.
First, relatively low investment threshold.
Low cost: starting from a donation of USD 90,000, four generations of a family can apply for a São Tomé passport.
Second, short processing timeframe.
The program adopts an “approval first, donation later” model, where applicants make donation arrangements after receiving approval-in-principle. Real operational data from the first year shows an average processing time of about 2 months.
Third, strong family suitability.
The main applicant can include their spouse, eligible children, parents, and grandparents in the application. Over half of the applications in the first year came from families of 2 or more members, indicating that actual demand has extended from an “individual second passport” to comprehensive family identity arrangements.
Fourth, more convenient application procedure.
The entire application process can be completed remotely, with no requirement for applicants to land in São Tomé, and no language test, interview, or long-term residence requirements. With the implementation of remote ID card and passport issuance mechanisms, the program's international operation system and application convenience have been further enhanced.
Fifth, broader expansion potential in Lusophone (Portuguese-speaking) countries.
São Tomé and Príncipe is a member state of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP). In the future, based on relevant national policies, applicants can further plan residency and development pathways in Portuguese-speaking countries such as Portugal and Brazil.
Sixth, relatively friendly tax environment.
No worldwide taxation, no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or global income tax, helping optimize compliant asset structuring.
For applicants considering a second citizenship, overall family identity planning, or looking to add overseas citizenship options, the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Programme is well worth exploring further.
A Top 500 Asian Brand with over 20 years of focus on immigration, WorldWay Group started in Hong Kong in 1998 and has been rooted in Hong Kong for more than two decades, establishing professional entities in both Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland.
If you are also considering citizenship by investment in São Tomé and Príncipe, WorldWay Immigration provides full-process services ranging from policy interpretation and option assessment to application filing, assisting you in matching a more suitable identity solution based on your family members, budget, and long-term plans.
Inquiries for Chinese Mainland: 400-138-2929, Hong Kong Customer Service Center: (852)2802 8798