Sao Tome and Principe is a small island nation in Africa with a liberal visa policy, offering visa exemption to some and eVisas to all nationalities.
Quick summary:
- Nationals from the US, UK, Canada and countries from the European Union do not require visas
- Launched in 2012, Sao Tome and Principe now offers eVisas to all nationalities
- Proof of yellow fever vaccination is mandatory to enter Sao Tome and Principe
In this article, you will learn about Sao Tome and Principe visa requirements, its visa policy, visa types and some frequently asked questions.
Table of Contents
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Visa Policy and Visa Types
As of 2024, 55 countries are visa exempt. Passport holders of China can obtain visa on arrival (VOA) for 15 days. The rest can obtain an electronic visa online (eVisa).
Below is the summary of available visa types:
| Visa Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Visa Exemption | 55 countries are eligible for visa exemption |
| Visa on Arrival | Only Chinese passport holders are eligible to obtain VOA |
| eVisa | All nationalities that require visas are eligible to apply for electronic visa |
| Tourist visa | All nationalities are eligible to apply for a tourist visa from the embassy |
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Visa Requirements
The following requirements apply to all Sao Tome and Principe visitors.
Valid passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival.
Return or onward ticket
A return or onward ticket may be necessary when entering Sao Tome and Principe. If you do not hold a proof of onward ticket, consider getting an onward ticket before traveling.
Yellow fever vaccination
Proof of vaccination against yellow fever is required to enter Sao Tome and Principe. If you do not hold proof of vaccination, you are required to obtain vaccination upon arrival. You will be charged $20 for vaccination.
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Visa Exemption
Eligible nationalities
The following nationalities do not require a Sao Tome and Principe visa for stays less than 15 days.
- Andorra
- Angola
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Bulgaria
- Canada
- Cape Verde
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Equatorial Guinea
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Greece
- Guinea Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Kuwait
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Monaco
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- San Marino
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- St. Kitts and Nevis *
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Timor-Leste
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- Vatican City
* St. Kitts and Nevis signed a visa waiver agreement with Sao Tome and Principe but it is yet to be implemented.
Visa EXEMPTION with a multiple-entry visa or resident permit from the US or Schengen
Holders of valid multiple-entry US visas or US green cards DO NOT require a visa to travel to Sao Tome and Principe for 15 days. Read the article on VISA-FREE countries for US visa to learn more about entering Sao Tome and Principe with a US visa.
Holders of valid multiple-entry Schengen visas or residence permits from any Schengen country DO NOT require a visa for stays up to 15 days. Read this article on VISA-FREE countries for Schengen visa for details on traveling to Sao Tome and Principe with a Schengen visa.
Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months from the day of arrival.
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Visa on Arrival (VOA)
Passport holders of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) are eligible to obtain Visa on Arrival (VOA) at the international airport in Sao Tome and Principle. Chinese passport holders are allowed to stay 15 days on VOA.
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Electronic Visa (eVisa)
Sao Tome and Principe launched its electronic visa system in 2012. All nationalities are eligible to obtain eVisa. You can enter with an eVisa only at the Sao Tome International Airport (TMS).
To apply for eVisa, your passport must be valid for at least 1 year from the date of arrival.
E-Visa is valid for 30 days from your intended date of arrival. Duration of stay cannot exceed 30 days.
For complete information on eVisa, read the detailed Sao Tome and Principe eVisa guide. It covers the eVisa requirements, eligibility and application procedure in detail.
Documents required
The following documents are required for eVisa.
- A scan of your passport ID page
- Confirmed flight tickets in and out of STP
- Hotel booking for the entire stay
Information needed to fill out the application online
- Surname and given names
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Country of residence
- Home address
- Phone number
- Passport number
- Passport issue and expiry dates
- Date of arrival and departure from Sao Tome and Principe
- Address in Sao Tome and Principe
Visa fee
There is no fee to apply for eVisa. Once approved, you will receive an approval letter which you must present at the airport to obtain your visa stamp. You will pay the visa fee of 20 EUR at the airport.
Processing time
The official eVisa processing time is 7 business days. But you will normally receive your eVisa approval within 2-3 days of application.
Procedure at the airport
You must present the visa approval letter on arrival at the airport. You will also have to fill out an entry and exit form and pay the visa stamping fee to obtain the visa stamp in your passport.
The eVisa stamping fee at the airport is 20 EUR payable in cash in EUR, USD or local currency.
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Tourist Visa from the Embassy
If you need to stay longer than 15 days, then you can apply for a tourist visa at any Sao Tome and Principe embassy or consulate abroad.
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 or 12 months depending on where you are applying for the visa from.
Tourist visas are valid for 90 days, single or multiple entry. Duration of stay cannot exceed 30 days on each visit.
Sao Tome and Principe do not have embassies or consulates in all countries. It’s recommended to apply for an STP tourist visa while you are already in Africa from one of the neighboring countries such as Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon or Angola.
Direct flights are only from Portugal (STP Airlines), Ghana (TAP Portugal), Gabon (ASKY) and Angola (TAAG Airlines).
Below are the requirements to apply for a tourist visa from Sao Tome and Principe embassies in these neighboring countries.
Tourist Visa from the Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Abuja, Nigeria
- Documents required:
- Original passport valid for at least 12 months from the day of arrival
- One copy of the completed application form
- Three colored 2inch x 2inch passport-size photographs
- International Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Proof of round-trip flight tickets
- Proof of accommodation bookings
- Proof of financial means such as bank statements
- Visa fee: $100 for a 30-day single-entry visa.
- Processing time: 5 working days
- Embassy address: 10, Queen Elizabeth Street, Asokoro, Abuja
- Embassy phone: +234 97807820
Tourist Visa from the Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea
- Documents required:
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
- One copy of the completed application form
- Two colored 2inch x 2inch passport-size photographs
- International Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Proof of round-trip flight tickets
- Proof of accommodation bookings
- Visa fee: 40,000 CFA for a 30-day single-entry visa.
- Processing time: 5 working days
- Embassy address: 3, Av de los Parques de Africa, Malabo
- Embassy phone: +240 333095717
Tourist Visa from Embassy of Sao Tome and Principe in Libreville, Gabon
- Documents required:
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months from the day of arrival
- One copy of the completed application form
- Two colored 2inch x 2inch passport-size photographs
- International Yellow Fever vaccination certificate
- Proof of round-trip flight tickets
- Proof of accommodation bookings
- Visa fee: 40,000 CFA for a 30-day single-entry visa.
- Embassy address: Bd de la Mer, BP 3963, Libreville
- Embassy phone: +241 721527
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Transit Visa
You do not need a visa for airside transit. You do not need a visa if you do not leave the international transit area within the airport. You require a visa only if you need to go through immigration, claim your checked baggage, or leave the airport.
If you need to leave the airport, then you can apply for a Transit visa via the eVisa portal or at any Sao Tome and Principe missions abroad. Transit visas are valid for 4 days.
Documents required
The following documents are required for transit visa.
- A scan of your passport ID page
- Confirmed flight tickets arriving and departing from STP
Information needed to fill out the application online
- Surname and given names
- Date of birth
- Country of birth
- Country of residence
- Home address
- Phone number
- Passport number
- Passport issue and expiry dates
- Date of arrival and departure from Sao Tome and Principe
Processing time
Similar to the tourist eVisa, the transit eVisa processing time is also 7 business days. But you will usually receive your eVisa approval within 2-3 business days.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can US citizens travel to Sao Tome and Principe?
Yes, US citizens can travel to Sao Tome and Principe without a visa for stays less than 15 days.
How much is the visa fee for Sao Tome and Principe?
The eVisa fee for Sao Tome and Principe is 20 EUR paid at the airport on arrival. This fee must be paid in cash in EUR, USD or local currency. The visa fee for a tourist visa from the embassy depends on the country where you are applying from.
How do I get to Sao Tome and Principe?
Flying is the only option for tourists to get to Sao Tome and Principe. STP Airlines and TAP Portugal Airlines fly direct from Lisbon, Portugal. Also, TAAG airlines fly direct from Luanda, Angola and ASKY from Libreville, Gabon.
