São Tomé and Príncipe Visa Requirements 2026Entry Rules & Visa-Free Access by Passport

Visa-free nationalities
56
Visa on arrival
1
eTA / e-Visa
141
Total streamlined
198
Visa required in advance
0

São Tomé and Príncipe's visa policy is selectively open relative to other destinations worldwide. Every nationality not covered by visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry can apply online for an eTA or e-Visa - no embassy visit required.

Visa-free

Countries Whose Citizens Can Visit São Tomé and Príncipe Visa-Free (56)

Passport holders from these countries can enter São Tomé and Príncipe without a visa - no embassy appointment, no advance fee.

Show all 56

Visa on arrival

Nationalities That Get Visa on Arrival to São Tomé and Príncipe (1)

Citizens of these countries can obtain a visa stamp at the São Tomé and Príncipe border on arrival - no advance embassy visit required.

eTA / e-Visa

eTA & e-Visa Eligible Countries for São Tomé and Príncipe (141)

These nationalities can apply for an electronic travel authorisation or e-Visa online before travel - no embassy visit required.

Show all 141

Fees

São Tomé and Príncipe Visa Fees (updated 2 Jul 2026)

  • Tourist visa stamping fee (paid on arrival at airport)

    Single entry, 30 dayssaotomeislands.com ↗

    EUR 20 (~$23)

  • Business visa stamping fee (paid on arrival at airport)

    Single entry, 30 dayssaotomeislands.com ↗

    EUR 30 (~$34)

Compare official tourist-visa fees across every destination →

Transit

São Tomé and Príncipe Transit Visa

São Tomé and Príncipe publishes a transit visa product for travellers passing through to another destination. Whether you need one depends on your nationality and whether you stay airside - see how transit visas work.

Visto de Trânsito (Transit Visa)

Permits foreign nationals to transit through São Tomé and Príncipe en route to a third country.

up to 4 daysapply online

Legal basis: Artigo 30.º, Lei 5/2008. Grants entry to a traveller heading to a third country where admission is guaranteed. Granted for one or, exceptionally, two entries; each transit may not exceed 4 days. No transit visa is required for a traveller passing through in continuous transit (interrupted only for technical stopovers on the same means of transport). Transit is explicitly referenced on the SMF e-visa page as a separate use case and applied via the same e-visa portal; applicants must hold valid entry authorization for their destination country. Specific fee not published on the official portal.

Apply here ↗

FAQ

São Tomé and Príncipe Visa Requirements FAQ

Do I need a visa to visit São Tomé and Príncipe?

It depends on your nationality - the lists above show every nationality that can enter São Tomé and Príncipe visa-free, with a visa on arrival or with an eTA or e-Visa. Every nationality we track qualifies for one of these streamlined routes.

Which countries can visit São Tomé and Príncipe without a visa?

56 countries can visit São Tomé and Príncipe without a visa in 2026, including: Andorra, Angola, Austria, Belgium, Brazil. Use Earth Visa to check whether your specific passport grants visa-free access to São Tomé and Príncipe.

How do I apply for a São Tomé and Príncipe tourist visa?

If your nationality is not eligible for visa-free entry or visa on arrival to São Tomé and Príncipe, you can apply online for an eTA or e-Visa - no embassy visit required. You will generally need:

  • Valid passport
  • Completed online application
  • Digital photo
  • Proof of accommodation
  • Proof of onward travel

Processing times and fees vary by nationality and visa category - see the visa types and fees on this page for the exact figures.

How long can I stay in São Tomé and Príncipe without a visa?

The maximum visa-free stay duration in São Tomé and Príncipe varies by nationality. Common allowances are 30, 60, or 90 days. See the visa-free country list above for specific stay durations per nationality.

Check your specific visa requirements for São Tomé and Príncipe

Enter your passport to instantly see whether you need a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe, how long you can stay, and what documents you need.

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