São Tomé and Príncipe vs Saint Lucia
Starting price, timing, residence, family, restrictions and travel, side by side from each government's published rules.
Information checked 4 October 2026
Price
| Row |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| From (government minimum) | From USD 90,000 | From USD 240,000 |
Time and residence
| Row | | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time, as published | cip.gov.st publishes conflicting figures; all are quoted and none is picked: (1) FAQ: about 2 months to approval, then about 3-4 months from approval to passport; (2) About page: '5-6 Months'; (3) About the Program page: '2-3 Months'; (4) Investment Structure page: approvals 'in as little as two months' | Approximately ninety (90) days from acceptance for processing to grant |
| Residence rule | None, before or after | Statutory residency and genuine-link requirement in force from 1 January 2026, but no prescribed details found |
Family
| Row | | |
|---|---|---|
| Children | Children up to 30 years old | Children of the applicant or spouse aged 21 or below; up to 30 if fully supported; any age if physically or mentally challenged and fully supported |
| Parents | Parents and grandparents aged 55 and above | Parents of the applicant or spouse above 55 and fully supported |
Who can apply
| Row | | |
|---|---|---|
| Nationality restrictions | No nationality named as barred on the official page | No nationality named as barred on the official page |
Travel (official visa lists only)
| Row | | |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen area | Visa needed (Annex I) | Visa-free short stays (Annex II) |
| United Kingdom | Visa needed (visa national) | Visa needed (visa national) |
Sources and last checked
- São Tomé and Príncipe CIU (cip.gov.st) — Donation to the National Transformation Fund, checked 4 October 2026
- Citizenship by Investment (Amendment)(No. 2) Regulations, S.I. No. 106 of 2024 (in force 1 July 2024), checked 4 October 2026
- São Tomé and Príncipe CIU (cip.gov.st) — FAQ, About, About the Program and Investment Structure pages, checked 4 October 2026
- Saint Lucia CIU — FAQs page, checked 4 October 2026
- Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Act No. 22 of 2025 (10 November 2025), checked 4 October 2026
- São Tomé and Príncipe CIU (cip.gov.st) — Become a Citizen, checked 4 October 2026
- São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment Program (official CIU site), Eligibility & Criteria, checked 4 October 2026
- Citizenship by Investment Unit of Saint Lucia, checked 4 October 2026
- Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 02018R1806-20251230 (EUR-Lex / Publications Office), latest consolidated version as of 2026-10-04, checked 4 October 2026
- GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (page updated 3 August 2026), checked 4 October 2026