Arrival in São Tomé and Príncipe

The entry conditions depend on nationality, passport validity, purpose and planned length of stay. For eVisaST, the passport should remain valid for at least three months beyond the planned end of stay. Visa-free entry rules published by the SMF may require more than three months of passport validity at entry, while an airline or consulate may request six months, so the carrier and SMF should be checked before departure. Tourist stays of up to 15 days may be visa-free for citizens of CPLP countries, the European Union, the United States, Canada and other countries on the SMF list. Some other nationalities may qualify for up to 15 days without a visa when they hold a valid Schengen or US visa and meet the passport-validity conditions. Bilateral agreements can provide different periods. Work, study, business, family reunification, stays longer than 15 days and permanent relocation generally require a purpose-specific visa rather than relying on a tourist exemption. The eVisaST application is submitted online. A typical application includes a passport scan, travel dates or reservation, return or onward flight, accommodation and contact details. A minor may also need proof of birth and consent from a legal representative. The stated means-of-support requirement is EUR 100 per day. Keep the application number and confirm the current payment amount in the SMF portal because the border payment information can change. A residence visa allows entry for the later application for a Certificado de Residência, the residence certificate issued through the SMF. It covers purposes such as dependent or self-employed work, family reunification, study, volunteering, vocational training, research and highly qualified work. The residence visa permits two entries and a stay of two months for this procedure. An employment application can require a job offer and a favourable opinion from the Ministério do Trabalho; the stated period for that opinion is 20 days. Self-employed applicants may need evidence of investment or sufficient funds and relevant qualifications. The SMF controls passenger entry at airports and ports. Officials may request the passport, visa or Autorização de Entrada, yellow-fever certificate where applicable, return or onward ticket, accommodation details and proof of funds. False information can lead to visa refusal or cancellation. Leaving the country before the authorised stay expires remains the traveller's responsibility. A visa is not a residence certificate: a person planning a longer stay must apply for the Certificado de Residência after arrival if the conditions are met, including a valid residence visa, presence in the country and suitable accommodation. The SMF handles entry permissions, extensions, residence certificates, visas at border points, family reunification, asylum applications and control of foreign activities. Its headquarters are on Av. 12 de Julho in São Tomé; the listed telephone numbers are +239 2222098 for the headquarters and +239 2251183 for the Príncipe delegation. International flights normally arrive in São Tomé, not directly in Príncipe. The domestic flight from São Tomé to Príncipe takes about 40 minutes and may be operated by STP Airways or África Connections. Flight days, prices and baggage limits change; the Turismo Portal has listed a 15 kg baggage limit, which should be confirmed when booking. The international airport is about 10 minutes from the capital. A Tourist Information Desk can help with accommodation, taxis and car hire when international arrivals are open, but night travel and remote destinations should be arranged in advance. Foreign non-resident tourists aged 12 or over pay a tourism tax of EUR 25 in São Tomé or EUR 10 in Príncipe, including non-resident day-trippers. Children under 12, São Tomé and Príncipe nationals and residence-permit holders are exempt. This tax is separate from a visa or border fee. Carry documents in both digital and paper form, including the passport, visa or entry authorisation, health certificate, onward ticket, accommodation confirmation, proof of funds, insurance details and medication information. A yellow-fever certificate is required when arriving from a yellow-fever risk area or after a transit of more than 12 hours; the exact transit chain should be checked before departure. Health authorities also identify malaria risk throughout the country, so medical advice about prevention, routine vaccinations, hepatitis A and B, and mosquito protection is appropriate. Medical evacuation insurance is useful because medical capacity is limited, especially outside São Tomé and in Príncipe. The local currency is the dobra, also written STN. The Turismo Portal lists a fixed rate of EUR 1 = STN 24.50. Cash is widely needed, while card payments are available only in some places; banks and hotels may provide exchange services. CST and Unitel provide mobile services, with 3G listed by the Turismo Portal, and the electrical supply is 220 V. Treated tap water is available in some settings, but bottled drinking water is commonly recommended. The Hospital Central Ayres de Menezes is the main medical reference on São Tomé. Payment is often required in cash before treatment, medicines may be difficult to obtain, and emergency response can be slow or limited outside the capital and on Príncipe. The listed emergency numbers include 113 for police, 112 for firefighters and 112, 113 or 115 in Ministry of Health information.