In today’s world, traveling has become an integral part of our lives. Be it for leisure or work, many of us find ourselves regularly on the move across borders. However, one integral aspect that you may overlook is the safety of your travel documents. Losing these critical papers can turn a dream holiday into a
Visa policy for São Tomé and Príncipe
The São Tomé and Príncipe visa policy determines who may enter the island country off the coast of West Africa without a visa and which countries need a visa to visit the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe.
At present, citizens of roughly 45 countries do not need a visa to visit the archipelagos for stays of up to 15 days. To gain visa-free entry to São Tomé and Príncipe, it is simply necessary to present a valid passport from an eligible country at border control checkpoints.
All other foreign citizens are required to have one of the different types of visa for São Tomé and Príncipe to enter the Republic, whether this is an e-Visa obtained online, a visa from an embassy or consulate, or a visa on arrival.
A visa on arrival for São Tomé and Príncipe is currently only available for Chinese passport holders. It allows a total stay of 15 days in the island country.
Travelers from up to 160 countries are now able to obtain a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe through a simple electronic application which only takes a few minutes to complete and removes the need to wait in long queues to apply for a visa on arrival.
An approved São Tomé and Príncipe e-Visa allows a single entry stay of up to 30 days for tourism or business purposes.
To visit São Tomé and Príncipe for longer periods of stay or to obtain a work visa, resident visa, or student visa, it is necessary to have an approved embassy visa. Furthermore, citizens of up to 40 countries are required to obtain a travel visa from a diplomatic government office of São Tomé and Príncipe regardless of the duration or purpose of the visit.
There are not currently any visa bans for São Tomé and Príncipe in place for any foreign nationalities.
Discover a more detailed breakdown of the São Tomé and Príncipe visa policy below.