Got $90K? You can buy a passport — and fast

Looking for a second passport with a sunny island twist?

Say hello to Sao Tome and Principe. This West African island nation just joined the citizenship-by-investment (CBI) game, and it’s rolling out the red carpet.

Here’s the deal:

Processing time: Just six weeks.

No interviews. No need to live there. Just biometric checks, Caribbean-style.

And who’s running the show?

A new Citizenship Investment Unit (CIU) — based in Dubai.

So Sao Tome and Principe (land area: 1,001 km2) went global from the start.

The CIU is led by STP Service Advisory, a UAE firm working hand-in-hand with the Sao Tome government.

They’ve set up a public-private partnership model — combining the hustle of private business with official government oversight.

Alfredo Trinidade, Sao Tome's top investment guy, said in a media announcement:

“The CIU will operate as a standalone statutory entity that combines private sector efficiency with government oversight, essentially creating a successful public-private partnership.”

Trinidade notes that the Dubai location provides strategic advantages for global accessibility and operational efficiency.

He emphasises the benefits of this approach: “Having qualified staff in a fast-paced environment will allow the CIU to process applications much faster than traditional government departments.

"They can flexibly respond to demand, recruit top talent from the industry, and clients can easily reach them in Dubai which is an international travel hub.”

And that $20,000 commission for each approved client? Agents are loving it.

Extra costs to know:

Planning to add family members later?

Almost everyone.

Russians and Iranians? Yes.
North Koreans? Nope.

Qualifying dependents include spouses, unmarried kids under 30, and parents over 55.

What do you get for your shiny new Sao Tome passport?

But this isn’t just about travel.

Trinidade says this programme is for serious investors who care about global diversification, tax planning, and safeguarding their future.

And the money? It’s going to the National Transformation Fund — starting with renewable energy projects that aim to power the whole country sustainably.

Housing, education, roads, and more are next on the list.

Trinidade puts it simply: “These funds will flow directly into renewable energy first, then expand into housing, education, and extensive socioeconomic and infrastructure projects, including road development.”

In short: A passport, a cause, a six-week turnaround. And a tropical bonus. 

If you’ve got citizenship through a CBI (Citizenship by Investment) programme, your next US vacation might come with a pricey catch.

The US has launched a new pilot programme that could make some travellers cough up a bond of up to $15,000 just to get a tourist visa.

Starting August 20, this 12-month trial targets folks from countries that offer citizenship with no residency requirement—a key feature of many CBI programs.

The rule, published in the Federal Register, makes it clear: If you got your passport by investment (and didn’t actually live there), you could be flagged. Overstay your visa, your bond is gone.

The US State Department says people in this group might not have strong enough ties or enough of a personal history in their "new" country to allow proper background checks.

Basically, Washington wants more assurance you’ll follow the rules — and leave when your visa expires.

It’s all part of a bigger immigration crackdown rolled out under the Trump administration, with CBI citizens now firmly on the radar.

Bottom line: If your second passport came with a price tag, your US visa might come with one too.