Over the past few months, we have received many questions from clients about the processing timelines for the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program. The program’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) has now issued its first official memorandum to licensed agents, providing an update on the current processing situation.
The key takeaway is that the program has not been suspended and continues to accept and process applications. However, the authorities acknowledge that actual processing times are currently longer than those initially communicated when the program was launched.
What Processing Timelines are Now Being Communicated?
According to the memorandum:
- Application assessment takes approximately 2 months until a decision is made.
- Following approval, payment of the government contribution, and submission of all required documents, the citizenship issuance process takes at least 12 weeks.
However, based on our experience, the actual timelines for the first group of investors already exceed the estimates outlined in the memorandum. In a number of cases, more than six months have passed since approval, yet applicants are still waiting for the first official documents, including their national ID cards.
Why is the Process Taking Longer?
São Tomé and Príncipe operates one of the world’s newest Citizenship by Investment programs. As the program continues to receive a growing number of applications, the government is simultaneously strengthening its Due Diligence procedures and refining internal administrative processes across multiple public authorities.
After an application is approved, it must pass through several stages. It is first submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval, then forwarded to the Office of the President for the signing of the naturalisation decree. The case is subsequently processed by the civil registry authorities, which issue the national ID card, after which the passport can be produced. In other words, following approval, each application must pass through several government bodies, each carrying out its own administrative procedures.
Will the Situation Improve?
The memorandum states that the authorities are already working to reduce processing times by expanding staff capacity, improving coordination between government agencies, and streamlining administrative procedures throughout the application process.
If Time is a Priority: Vanuatu or São Tomé and Príncipe Program?
If speed and process predictability are your primary priorities, Vanuatu currently remains the more straightforward option. The program has been operating for many years, its administrative procedures are well established, and the overall timeframe for obtaining citizenship is typically around four months. Astons is an accredited agent of the São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program. Our experts provide end-to-end support throughout the entire application process, from document preparation and fulfilling the investment requirements to submitting an application and obtaining a passport.
