Sao Tome and Principe visas
Whether you need a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe depends on your nationality and the purpose and length of your visit: many travellers are exempt for short stays, others apply online for an entry authorisation (e-Visa), and longer stays for work, study, family or residence require a residence permit. Immigration is administered by the Serviço de Migração e Fronteiras (SMF), the national Migration and Border Service, which runs the official e-Visa (eVisaST) and e-Cidadão residence platforms. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality directly with the SMF before you travel.
São Toméan visa categories
Explore visa categories by the purpose of your trip.
- Visitor & short-stay visasShort stays in Sao Tome and Principe — tourism, visiting family or friends, business visits and transit, plus any visa-free or e-visa options.4 visas
- Work visasComing to Sao Tome and Principe to work — the employment and skilled-worker routes and the permits they require.1 visa
- Study visasStudying in Sao Tome and Principe — student visas and permits for accepted students.1 visa
- Family visasJoining or sponsoring a partner, child or other relative in Sao Tome and Principe.1 visa
- Business & investor visasInvesting, doing business or coming to Sao Tome and Principe as a highly skilled individual.1 visa
- Residence & citizenshipLiving in Sao Tome and Principe long term — residence routes and, where available, the path to citizenship.2 visas
São Toméan visa application at a glance
From start to finish in five simple steps.
- 01Choose the right visa
- 02Check eligibility & documents
- 03Apply online
- 04Provide biometrics
- 05Wait for a decision
Sao Tome and Principe — key facts
- Visa authority
- Serviço de Migração e Fronteiras (SMF) — Migration and Border Service
- Application
- Online (in most cases)
- Biometrics
- Usually required
- Currency
- São Tomé and Príncipe dobra (STN)
- Time zone
- Greenwich Mean Time (UTC+00:00)
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.