Family inclusion guide · checked 26 October 2026
Who can be included in a Sao Tome CBI family application?
The current official Sao Tome and Principe Citizenship by Investment rules allow eligible applicants to include a spouse or de facto partner, children up to age 30, and parents or grandparents from age 55. Family status does not remove the need to prove eligibility: every person included is reviewed, and adult children, parents and grandparents should be assessed for dependency before documents are prepared.
Official sources checked: STP Citizenship by Investment FAQs, eligibility criteria, donation schedule, post-approval inclusion fees and marketing-agent register. 2026-10-26.
Current planning and historical evidence
Plan around 5–6 months overall, not a guaranteed family-file deadline
The current official site says applications are typically decided in about two months, followed by approximately three to four months from approval to passport issuance. The official first-year report recorded a four-month historical average to passport. Both are planning evidence, not a guarantee; family structure, missing records and due diligence can change the timeline.
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.
Family of two to four: USD 95,000 contribution
The current official donation schedule lists a USD 95,000 minimum contribution for a family of two to four. Submission, due-diligence and citizenship-document fees are separate, so request a case-specific budget.
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 have a separate fee schedule
For qualifying dependants added after approval in principle, the official schedule lists USD 10,000 for a spouse, USD 5,000 for each other dependant, or USD 500 for a newborn up to one year. A USD 5,000 submission fee also applies except for newborns, and due diligence and documents remain required. Flag marriage, pregnancy, custody or reunification questions early.
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.
How much is the government contribution for a family?
The official fee page lists a USD 95,000 minimum contribution for a family of two to four, plus a USD 5,000 submission fee per application, due-diligence fees and USD 750 for citizenship documents per applicant. A fifth or later dependant adds USD 5,000 to the contribution. Final case costs depend on the family structure.
Can I add a future spouse or child after approval in principle?
Yes, if the person qualifies. Separate post-approval inclusion fees and due diligence apply: the current official schedule lists USD 10,000 for a spouse, USD 5,000 for each other dependant, or USD 500 for a newborn up to one year, plus a USD 5,000 submission fee except for newborns.
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.