US Visa Bonds Go Permanent: The U.S. has made its refundable visa bond programme permanent, effective 3 August 2026, with consular officers able to require B1/B2 business and tourist applicants from 50 countries (including São Tomé and Príncipe) to post deposits up to $20,000 before visas are issued; the bond is refunded if travellers comply and leave on time, but forfeited for overstays. Golden Passport Push: São Tomé and Príncipe is marketing a citizenship-by-investment “golden passport” to raise development funds, offering citizenship for a $90,000 contribution to its National Transformation Fund (plus fees), with no mandatory permanent relocation. UNESCO Roças Recognition: UNESCO added the Roças of São Tomé and Príncipe to the World Heritage List, highlighting the island’s historic plantation system and boosting the country’s cultural tourism appeal. Diplomatic Business Links: Serbia’s foreign minister met São Tomé and Príncipe’s PM to discuss expanding cooperation in education, health, agriculture, digitalisation and culture, alongside participation in Expo 2027. Tourism Positioning: A new tourism angle for São Tomé and Príncipe stresses conservation-led, low-crowd travel as a business model, aligning authenticity with higher-value visitors.