How Indian passport holders get a visa for São Tomé & Príncipe: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Visa-free up to 15 days — or eVisa for longer (free application + €20 on arrival)
- Government fee: Visa-free entry for ≤15 days: free. eVisa: free to apply online, €20 (~₹1,750) payable on arrival.
- Processing time: Visa-free: instant at airport. eVisa: up to 7 days.
- Maximum stay: 15 days visa-free, or 30 days with the eVisa (single entry).
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 88/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 6+ months from entry, 2 blank pages
- Confirmed flight tickets in and out of STP
- Hotel booking for entire duration
- Financial proof of €100/day
- Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
How & where to apply
Indian passport holders get 15 days visa-free. For longer stays (up to 30 days) apply for the eVisa via the official eVisaST system. eVisa is valid only at São Tomé International Airport (TMS). São Tomé & Príncipe eVisa portal (eVisaST)
Transit & connections
Limited transit options — direct flights are rare; most travellers connect via Lisbon, Luanda, or Accra.
How São Tomé & Príncipe compares in Africa
With an ease score of 88/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. São Tomé & Príncipe requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇸🇹 São Tomé & Príncipe | Visa-free up to 15 days — or eVisa for longer (free application + €20 on arrival) | Visa-free entry for ≤15 days: free. eVisa: free to apply online, €20 (~₹1,750) payable on arrival. | Visa-free: instant at airport. eVisa: up to 7 days. |
| 🇲🇺 Mauritius | Visa-free — 60 days on arrival | No visa fee. MauPass digital declaration is free. | Stamp issued at SSR International Airport on arrival |
| 🇸🇨 Seychelles | Visa-free — Travel Authorisation required online | Standard: €10 (≈ ₹950) processed in 24h. Premium: €30 (≈ ₹2,850) processed in 6h. | Standard 24 hours, Premium 6 hours |
| 🇰🇪 Kenya | eTA — Electronic Travel Authorisation online | USD 30 + USD 2 service fee = USD 32 (≈ ₹2,700) | Usually within 3 working days |
| 🇪🇬 Egypt | eVisa — apply online before travel | USD 25 single-entry / USD 60 multiple-entry (≈ ₹2,100 / ₹5,000) | Usually 3–7 working days |
| 🇹🇿 Tanzania | eVisa — apply online before travel | USD 50 single-entry (90 days) / USD 100 multiple-entry (12 months) — ≈ ₹4,200 / ₹8,400 | Usually 2–5 working days; apply at least 10 days before travel |
| 🇪🇹 Ethiopia | eVisa — apply online before travel | USD 62 (30 days single-entry) / USD 152 (90 days single-entry) — ≈ ₹5,200 / ₹12,800 | Standard 3 working days; same-day option available at higher fee |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
15-day visa-free is one of the most generous for an African nation. Yellow fever certificate is MANDATORY. Researched May 2026. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://saotomeislands.com/evisa/visa-policy.html
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for São Tomé & Príncipe?
Visa-free up to 15 days — or eVisa for longer (free application + €20 on arrival). 15-day visa-free is one of the most generous for an African nation. Yellow fever certificate is MANDATORY. Researched May 2026.
What documents do Indians need for a São Tomé & Príncipe visa?
Passport valid 6+ months from entry, 2 blank pages; Confirmed flight tickets in and out of STP; Hotel booking for entire duration; Financial proof of €100/day; Yellow fever vaccination certificate (mandatory)
How long does a São Tomé & Príncipe visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Visa-free: instant at airport. eVisa: up to 7 days.. Government fee: Visa-free entry for ≤15 days: free. eVisa: free to apply online, €20 (~₹1,750) payable on arrival.. Maximum stay: 15 days visa-free, or 30 days with the eVisa (single entry)..
How do Indians apply for a São Tomé & Príncipe visa?
Indian passport holders get 15 days visa-free. For longer stays (up to 30 days) apply for the eVisa via the official eVisaST system. eVisa is valid only at São Tomé International Airport (TMS). Official source: https://saotomeislands.com/evisa/visa-policy.html
Is a São Tomé & Príncipe visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 88/100 this is one of the smoother applications for Indians. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a São Tomé & Príncipe visa online or on arrival?
São Tomé & Príncipe requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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