Visa

This is one of the most important things about Sao Tome and Principe you should know. The visa policy of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tomé and Principe regulates who is allowed to visit the island republic off the coast of West Africa without a visa and who requires one. Citizens of around 45 countries do not require a visa to visit the archipelagos for stays of up to 15 days at this time. Simply display a valid passport from a qualified country at border control checkpoints to get visa-free entrance to Sao Tomé and Principe. To access Sao Tomé and Principe, all other foreign citizens must have one of the various types of visas available, whether it be an e-Visa received online, a visa obtained via an embassy or consulate, or a visa on arrival.

Only Chinese passport holders are eligible for a visa on arrival in Sao Tomé and Principe. It allows you to stay in the island country for a total of 15 days. Travelers from up to 160 countries can now receive a visa for Sao Tomé and Principe by filling out a simple electronic application that takes only a few minutes to complete and eliminates the need to queue for a visa on arrival. A valid e-Visa for Sao Tomé and Principe permits a single entry stay of up to 30 days for tourists or businesses.

An approved embassy visa is required to visit Sao Tomé and Principe for longer periods of time or to get a work visa, residence visa, or student visa. Furthermore, regardless of the duration or purpose of the visit, individuals from up to 40 countries must get a travel visa from a diplomatic government office of Sao Tomé and Principe.