AGP Executive Report
Last update: 6 hours agoUS Visa Bond Becomes Permanent: From 3 August 2026, the United States made its refundable visa bond programme permanent for selected B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) applicants from 50 countries, with consular officers able to require deposits up to $20,000; the money is refunded if travellers leave on time and follow visa rules, but forfeited for overstays or violations—São Tomé and Príncipe Included: São Tomé and Príncipe is among the affected African states, joining a wider list that also includes Nigeria and many others. Citizenship-by-Investment Push: São Tomé and Príncipe is also marketing a “golden passport” citizenship scheme, offering citizenship for a $90,000 contribution to a National Transformation Fund (plus fees), aimed at funding energy and development amid weak growth and electricity shortages. UNESCO World Heritage Gains: UNESCO added 25 new World Heritage sites at its Busan session, including the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe, marking the archipelago’s first World Heritage inscriptions. Diplomatic Outreach: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s prime minister to discuss bilateral cooperation in education, health, agriculture, digitalisation and culture.
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