The former Portuguese colony of Sao Tome and Principe is now the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe. This island nation in Central Africa is divided into seven districts. Gua Grande, Mé-Zóchi, and Lobata are the most prominent districts. With a surface size of 1,001 square kilometers, Sao Tome and Principe is Africa's second smallest country. It has a tropical to subtropical climate. Volcanoes and mountains characterize the landscape. The climate is tropical, hot, and humid, with only one rainy season from October to May. The population is estimated to be over 211,028 million. Sao Tome is the country's capital. It is also the most populated city, having a population of around 70,000 people. Santo Amaro, Neves, and Santana are also prominent cities in the country. Sao Tome International Airport is the country's largest and only international airport (TMS). It connects the country to African and Portuguese destinations.
In 1975, Sao Tome and Principe declared independence from Portugal. Its culture is influenced by a blend of customs and Portuguese ancestry. The country's primary religion is Christianity. Portuguese is the country's official language. The legal system is a hybrid of civil law and customary law from Portugal. A semi-presidential republic governs the country. Every five years, elections are held, with the president being elected directly by the people.
Sao Tome and Principe Dobra (STD) is the country's official currency. The country has an open economy, with a gross domestic product of $685 million. This makes it Africa's tiniest economy. It has a $3,220 per capita income. Services, industry, and agriculture are the key contributors to GDP. Agriculture continues to be a major source of export revenue, with cocoa being the most important item. Textiles, coconuts, palm kernels, and copra are also key export items. To diversify its business, the government is presently collaborating with Nigeria and China.
Sao Tome and Principe is a growing tourist destination with a variety of activities. It is well-known for its abundant animals, beaches, and natural reserves. The capital, Sao Tome, the Obo National Park, Santo Antonio, Santana, Rolas Island, Boca de Inferno, and Jale Beach are some of the prominent tourist spots; the majority of the 33,000 annual tourism visitors come from neighboring African countries.
São Tomé and Príncipe launched its Citizenship by Investment Program on August 1, 2025, offering a fast and straightforward route to citizenship for international investors. The island nation, located in the Gulf of Guinea off the west coast of Central Africa, provides a unique opportunity for those seeking a second passport. The program requires a minimum donation of $90,000 to the National Transformation Fund with no residence, language, or interview requirements. Processing typically takes around 2 months, and the São Toméan passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 60+ countries. The program is open to applicants of all nationalities (except North Korean citizens), including stateless persons.
The São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program grants citizenship to investors and their families through a contribution to the National Transformation Fund. The program is designed to be simple and efficient, with no residence, travel, or language proficiency requirements. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome (except North Korean citizens), including stateless persons. The program was introduced by the Government on August 1, 2025.
Applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, pass due diligence checks, and make a minimum contribution of $90,000 (single applicant) or $95,000 (family of 2-4) to the National Transformation Fund. The application can include a spouse, financially dependent children up to 30 years old, and parents over 55. No interview, language test, education, or management experience required.
According to the SovSpot Passport Ranking Index, the Sao Tomean passport is now ranked 81st. It allows visa-free travel to 63 countries. Visa-free travel and visas on arrival are available to Sao Tomean passport holders in countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Iran. Passport holders from Sao Tome and Principe, however, are required to obtain a visa in order to travel to 166 countries around the world. Thailand, Turkey, Russia, and the whole European Union are among the nations that require a visa. Because of the high visa requirement, the mobility score is poor.
75
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The number of countries Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries) is added to the number of countries Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) or an electronic travel authorization (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) (eTA). There are currently 25 visa-free countries for Sao Tome and Principe passport holders, 37 visa-on-arrival countries for Sao Tome and Principe passport holders, and 1 eTA destination. In total, Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can visit 63 countries without a visa, via a visa on arrival, or via an eTA. As a result, the passport of Sao Tome and Principe is ranked 81st in the world. Apart from the visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries, there are 166 other countries where Sao Tome and Principe passport holders will need a physical visa or an eVisa (i.e. visa required countries).
Last verified: July 2026. Figures checked against Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment Committee pricing. Grenada offers something no other Caribbean citizenship-by-investment program does: a United States
Last verified: July 2026. Figures checked against Dominica’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBIU). Dominica runs one of the world’s longest-established and most affordable citizenship-by-investment (CBI)
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