Entry and residence
Visa, passport, vaccination required at the border, customs and consular assistance. Rules depend on your nationality: each point says who it applies to.
Visa
- Passport: Canada, France, United Kingdom
For a tourist stay of under 15 days, French, British and Canadian nationals do not need a visa.
Beyond 15 days, or for business or study, a visa is compulsory. It is obtained from the honorary consulates (Paris, Marseille) or through an entry authorisation emailed by the Migration and Border Service, which lets you get the visa on arrival at the airport. The tourist visa costs 20 euros and is valid for 30 days (single entry).
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, entry and residenceGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: São Tomé and PríncipeWhen transiting through Gabon, make sure your Gabonese visa allows multiple entries: one on the way out, one on the way back.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, entry and residence- Passport: United States
Visa-free for up to 15 days; beyond that, an online e-visa. Passport and proof of yellow fever vaccination.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceU.S. Department of State, São Tomé and Príncipe International Travel Information - Passport: Germany
Visa-free for up to 15 days and in transit. Beyond that, a visa from the Embassy of São Tomé and Príncipe in Brussels or an e-Visa; no visa is issued at the airport.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceAuswärtiges Amt, São Tomé und Príncipe: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise - Passport: Spain
Visa-free for stays of up to 15 days, with a passport valid for at least 6 months. For longer stays, a visa from the Embassy of São Tomé and Príncipe in Lisbon or online (eVisaST) at least 7 days before travel.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceMinisterio de Asuntos Exteriores (España), Recomendaciones de viaje: Santo Tomé y Príncipe - Passport: China
According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a visa is issued on arrival with an ordinary Chinese passport (November 2023 list: check before departure).
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26Medium confidenceMinistry of Foreign Affairs of China, Service consulaire: entry facilities for holders of an ordinary Chinese passport (list of November 2023)
Passport and documents
France requires a passport valid 6 months after your return date, as does Canada; the UK only requires it to be valid for your stay.
The UK reports a 20-euro entry fee on arrival, also payable in dollars or local currency.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26Medium confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), São Tomé and Príncipe travel advice: entry requirements
Vaccination required at entry
A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you arrive from a country with a transmission risk; France recommends carrying your international vaccination record.
Customs and currency
Drug offences carry severe penalties: pack your own luggage and carry nothing for anyone else.
Verified factVerified on 10/2/26High confidenceGOV.UK (FCDO), São Tomé and Príncipe travel advice: safety and securityFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, useful information
Useful contacts
Contact details taken from the official sources cited. Check them before going.
Honorary consul of France
Passport: FranceHonorary consulate; the responsible embassy and consulate general are in Libreville (Gabon).
France Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, useful contactsFrance Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026
Consulate General of France in Libreville
Passport: FranceResponsible for São Tomé and Príncipe.
Boulevard de la Nation, Batterie IV, Libreville (Gabon)+241 11 79 20 40France Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, entry and residence· Oct 2, 2026
High Commission of Canada in Nigeria (covering Sao Tomé)
Passport: CanadaCanada has no office in São Tomé; consular assistance is provided from Abuja.
13010G Palm Close, Diplomatic Drive, Central Business District, Abuja (Nigeria)+234 209 461 2900abuja@international.gc.caGovernment of Canada, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe· Oct 2, 2026
Sources for this guide
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, entry and residence · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), São Tomé and Príncipe travel advice: entry requirements · Source updated: December 10, 2025 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Government of Canada, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe · Source updated: May 26, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- U.S. Department of State, São Tomé and Príncipe International Travel Information · Source updated: October 27, 2025 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Auswärtiges Amt, São Tomé und Príncipe: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweise · Source updated: August 24, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores (España), Recomendaciones de viaje: Santo Tomé y Príncipe · Source updated: June 1, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China, Service consulaire: entry facilities for holders of an ordinary Chinese passport (list of November 2023) · Source updated: December 7, 2023 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), Travelers' Health: São Tomé and Príncipe · Source updated: August 25, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- GOV.UK (FCDO), São Tomé and Príncipe travel advice: safety and security · Source updated: December 10, 2025 · Checked on October 2, 2026
- France Diplomatie, Travel advice: São Tomé and Príncipe, useful information · Source updated: September 15, 2026 · Checked on October 2, 2026
AfriPilot is not an official body. Information comes from the sources cited and may change: each source's date is shown.