Family inclusion guide · checked 31 August 2026
Who can you include in a Sao Tome CBI family application, and can dependants be added later?
The current official Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment FAQs say a file may include a spouse or de facto partner, dependent children under 30, and dependent parents or grandparents over 55. The same official FAQs also say future dependants can be added later, sponsored applications are possible, and every person included in the file goes through due diligence.
Official sources checked: Official STP Citizenship by Investment Unit, Official STP Citizenship by Investment FAQs, Official STP marketing-agent register. 2026-08-31.
Official first-year evidence
Measured first-year results: two months to approval, four months to passport
The official first-year report records a 26-day fastest approval, a two-month average to approval and a four-month average to passport. These are historical results, not a guarantee for a future file.
Quick facts
The key facts for family applications
Spouse or de facto partner
The official FAQs say a spouse and a de facto partner can be included in the same family file.
Dependent children under 30
The official FAQs list dependent children from birth up to age 30, subject to dependency evidence and review.
Parents and grandparents over 55
The official FAQs list dependent parents and grandparents over the age of 55 as eligible family members.
Future dependants can be added
The official FAQs say future spouses and future children may be added later, subject to fees and due diligence.
Sponsored files are possible
The official FAQs say a benefactor may sponsor the application, but the benefactor must provide documents and pay a USD 5,000 due-diligence fee.
All applicants are screened
The official process says every applicant is subject to comprehensive due diligence before citizenship is granted.
Check dependency before you build the document set
The official family categories do not mean every relative automatically qualifies. For serious applicants, the practical first step is to send the family map, ages, current residence and who is financially dependent on whom before ordering translations or certifications.
Late family additions change the file logic
Future spouses and children can be added later according to the official FAQs, but that still means new due diligence, extra fees and additional civil documents. It is better to flag likely family changes early if marriage, pregnancy, custody or reunification questions already exist.
Sponsored cases need a cleaner paper trail
If a benefactor is paying for the case, the official FAQs say the sponsor must provide documents and a separate due-diligence fee applies. In practice that makes source-of-funds explanations, relationship evidence and the payment sequence more important before money is wired.
References
Official and primary sources checked
- Official STP Citizenship by Investment Unit
- Official STP Citizenship by Investment FAQs
- Official STP marketing-agent register
FAQ
Common questions
Can an unmarried partner be included?
Yes. The official FAQs list both a spouse and a de facto partner as eligible family members.
Can a child over 18 still be included?
Possibly. The official FAQs list dependent children under 30, so an adult child may still qualify if the dependency evidence is clear.
Can parents be added to the same file?
Yes, if they are dependent parents or grandparents over the age of 55, as described in the official FAQs.
Can I add a future spouse or child after the first approval stage?
The official FAQs say future dependants can be added later, but they remain subject to fees and due diligence.
What should I send for a family eligibility review?
Send the family member list, each person's age, nationality, residence, relationship to the main applicant, and whether any benefactor will fund the case.
Read next
Related Sao Tome guides
Official fee guide · checked 21 August 2026
How much does Sao Tome citizenship by investment cost in 2026?
Official Sao Tome CBI cost guide: USD 90,000 single applicant, USD 95,000 family of 2-4, submission and passport-document fees.
Process guide · updated 21 August 2026
How long does Sao Tome CBI take, and what can delay the case?
Sao Tome CBI processing-time guide: official two-month target, application stages, due diligence and common document delays.
Eligibility and documents · updated 24 August 2026
What are the Sao Tome CBI requirements before an application is filed?
Officially checked Sao Tome CBI requirements: age 18+, no criminal record, lawful source of funds, qualifying dependents and no residence requirement.
Due diligence and payment guide · checked 27 August 2026
When do you pay for Sao Tome CBI, and what happens during due diligence?
Sao Tome CBI due-diligence and payment-stage guide: licensed-agent filing, background and source-of-funds checks, Approval-in-Principle and when to pay.