Sao Tome and Principe: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans need to apply online for an e-visa before travel to Sao Tome and Principe.

Not published. The SMF e-VisaST pages do not state a stay length.

Visa required. South Africa is not on Sao Tome and Principe's visa-exempt lists. People living in countries without a Sao Tome and Principe consulate (South Africa has none) cannot get a visa on arrival and must first get an Entry Authorisation online through e-VisaST, run by the Serviço de Migração e Fronteiras (SMF). The visa fee is then paid at the border.1 2 4 5

Before you travel

Length of stay

Not published by official sources

Purpose of visit

SMF lists two temporary visa categories: tourism and business.2

Confirmed on an official government source

Passport validity

e-VisaST asks for a scanned passport (PDF) valid at least 3 months beyond the intended stay.1

Confirmed on an official government source

How to apply

Apply online at https://www.smf.st/evisa/index.php (Serviço de Migração e Fronteiras). Upload a PDF of your passport, travel booking, accommodation contact and return flight ticket. Keep the process reference number to track the application. SMF says it replies within 7 working days. The visa fee is paid on arrival at the border, not online. SMF's FAQ lists a tourism temporary visa at 490,000 STD and a business temporary visa at 1,470,000 STD (rates from February 2011, in old dobras before the 2018 redenomination). The UK FCDO also mentions a 20 euro entry fee on arrival, payable in euro, USD or local currency. Confirm current amounts before travel.1 2 3

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Online through e-VisaST at smf.st. Sao Tome and Principe has no embassy in South Africa that could be identified.1 2 6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

A return flight ticket is mandatory for the e-VisaST application. Transit passengers need proof of onward travel.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Proof of funds

Proof of means of subsistence of 100 euro per day must be shown.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Accommodation or invitation

Accommodation contact details are required in the e-VisaST application.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

Sao Tome and Principe asks for yellow fever vaccination proof from travellers arriving from a yellow fever transmission-risk country (UK FCDO). For South Africa: WHO classes Sao Tome and Principe as low potential for yellow fever exposure and it is exempt from South Africa's certificate requirement, so no certificate is needed to return to SA from there (unless you transited a risk country for more than 12 hours).3 7

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

Not published by official sources

Transit

Transit passengers applying through e-VisaST need proof of onward travel.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Travelling with children

Minors need a birth certificate and a declaration from their legal guardians uploaded with the e-VisaST application.1

Confirmed on an official government source

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

Other government

Official advice from other governments

3UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office gov.uk
7DIRCO, South African High Commission Canberra dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

4Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
5Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
6Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.