Eligibility and documents · updated 24 August 2026
What are the Sao Tome CBI requirements before an application is filed?
The current official criteria describe a main applicant who is at least 18, in good health, of good financial standing and without a criminal record. The route is handled through a licensed Marketing Agent, has no residence requirement, and still depends on a full due-diligence review of the applicant and every family member included in the file.
Official program data checked: eligibility criteria, qualifying dependents and residence requirement. 2026-08-24.
Quick facts
The official filters to check first
Age and health
The principal applicant must be at least 18 years old and in good health.
Background review
No criminal record and a clean explanation of residence history are core screening points.
Financial standing
The official criteria expect good financial standing and a source-of-funds story that can be documented.
Dependents
A spouse or de facto partner, children up to 30, and parents or grandparents aged 55 or older may be included if the evidence is clear.
No residence requirement
You do not need to relocate first, but the file still needs full document preparation and due diligence.
List every family member at the start
If the case may include a spouse, partner, children, parents or grandparents, declare them before the first checklist is finalized. Late changes can affect documents, timelines and fees.
Send residence history before ordering documents
Police certificates, civil records and explanations often depend on where the applicant has lived, not only current nationality. A short residence timeline can prevent unnecessary translation and legalization costs.
Prepare for due diligence, not only a checklist
A folder can look complete and still fail if names, dates, addresses or source-of-funds records do not tell one consistent story. Clarify these gaps before formal submission.
Free review checklist
What serious applicants should send first
A useful first review does not need every final document, but it should include the facts that change eligibility, dependent logic and document order.
Applicant list
Principal applicant, spouse or partner, children, parents or grandparents and each person’s age.
Residence history
Current country of residence plus prior countries that may affect police certificates or compliance questions.
Civil documents
Passports, birth records, marriage or divorce records, and any name or date differences that appear across documents.
Source of funds
A short explanation of business income, salary, savings, asset sales or other lawful funds expected to support the contribution.
FAQ
Common questions from high-intent applicants
Can I apply directly without an agent?
The official process requires a licensed Marketing Agent to coordinate preparation and submission.
Is there a residence requirement before citizenship is approved?
No residence requirement is listed in the official eligibility criteria, but the application still needs full due diligence and document review.
Who can usually be included as dependents?
The official criteria mention a spouse or de facto partner, children up to age 30, and parents or grandparents aged 55 or older, subject to evidence and review.
Do I need every document before the first review?
No. The first review should confirm the applicant list, residence history and likely document gaps before you pay for unnecessary preparation.
Does meeting the checklist guarantee approval?
No. Every case remains subject to due diligence, official review and the final citizenship decision.
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.
Family inclusion guide · checked 31 August 2026
Who can you include in a Sao Tome CBI family application, and can dependants be added later?
Officially checked Sao Tome CBI family guide: spouse or de facto partner, dependent children under 30, dependent parents or grandparents over 55, future dependants and sponsored files.
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.