São Tomé and Príncipe Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Citizens of Portuguese-speaking countries and select African and European nations may enter without prior visa arrangements
Portuguese citizens receive 90-day stays; other visa-free nationalities typically receive 15 days. Extensions possible through local immigration office in São Tomé city.
Most Western nationalities including EU, UK, US, Canadian, and Australian citizens must obtain pre-approved electronic authorization before travel
Cost: Mid-range fee comparable to other African eVisa systems
Print authorization to present at check-in and immigration. Single entry only. For multiple entries, apply for traditional visa. Extensions possible locally for additional fee.
Citizens of countries not covered by visa-free or eVisa arrangements must obtain traditional sticker visa from embassy or consulate
No embassy in your country? Some applicants route through Lisbon, Brussels, or Washington DC embassies. Check current diplomatic representation as this changes periodically.
Arrival Process
Arrival at São Tomé International Airport gives your first taste of island time, a modest, practical terminal where tropical heat and the rustle of palm fronds beyond the walls set the rhythm for your stay.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
São Tomé and Príncipe customs regulations protect the islands' delicate agricultural environment and manage duty-free imports for arriving visitors.
Prohibited Items
- Narcotics and illegal drugs, severe penalties including imprisonment
- Firearms and ammunition without special police authorization
- Pornographic materials
- Counterfeit goods and currency
- Endangered species products including ivory and certain shells
Restricted Items
- Fresh food, plants, and seeds, require agricultural inspection certificate to prevent introduction of pests and diseases that could devastate the islands' cocoa and coffee crops
- Medications, carry prescription documentation for personal quantities. Narcotic medications require additional documentation
- Drones, require Civil Aviation Authority approval before import
Health Requirements
Health prep for São Tomé and Príncipe means guarding against tropical diseases and making sure you can reach care on islands where medical facilities are thin on the ground.
Required Vaccinations
- Yellow fever (only if arriving from endemic countries including most of West and Central Africa, and parts of South America)
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis An and B
- Typhoid
- Routine vaccinations (MMR, DPT, polio)
- Rabies (for extended stays or remote work)
- Meningococcal meningitis
Health Insurance
Buy solid travel health insurance that includes medical evacuation. São Tomé and Príncipe's hospitals are basic. Serious cases get flown to Gabon, Portugal, or South Africa. Double-check that your policy lists those destinations and covers emergency air ambulance services.
Protect Your Trip with Travel Insurance
Comprehensive coverage for medical emergencies, trip cancellation, lost luggage, and 24/7 emergency assistance. Many countries recommend or require travel insurance.
Get a Quote from World NomadsRead our complete São Tomé and Príncipe Travel Insurance Guide →
Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
If minors travel without both parents, bring a notarized consent letter from the absent parent(s) plus a copy of their ID. Officials may ask for birth certificates. When children and accompanying adults have different surnames, pack extra papers that prove the relationship. Adopted children need their adoption papers.
Dogs and cats need a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel, proof of rabies vaccination given at least 30 days but not more than 12 months earlier, and an import permit from São Tomé and Príncipe veterinary services arranged ahead of time. Quarantine applies. Birds and exotic pets run into tight rules designed to shield native species.
Tourist visas can be stretched once for 30 more days at the immigration office in São Tomé city (near the central market, where the scent of dried fish and spices hangs in the air). File before your current visa lapses. Planning to stay past 90 days? Apply for a temporary residence permit, you'll need a local sponsor, proof of accommodation, and evidence you can support yourself. Digital nomads and remote workers should ask about new extended-stay schemes now being crafted to boost tourism.
Know What to Pack
Climate-specific clothing, travel documents, electronics, and gear, with shopping links for every item.
View São Tomé and Príncipe Packing List →Ready to plan your trip to São Tomé and Príncipe?
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