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Sao Tome And Principe Visa for China Citizens 2026

Visa on Arrival

Chinese citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Sao Tome's international airport by pre-registering online or presenting documents at the border, with a standard tourist stay of up to 15 days.

Guide last updated October 4, 2026. Always verify with official sources before travel.

What you need

  • Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the arrival date
  • Confirmed return or onward flight ticket
  • Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or invitation letter)
  • Proof of sufficient funds for the stay
  • 1 recent passport photo
  • Travel/medical insurance is recommended
  • Yellow fever vaccination certificate if arriving from a country with risk of transmission

Visa types

  • Tourist Visa on Arrival: single entry, valid for a stay of up to 15 days, extendable locally, fee around USD 30-50
  • Business Visa on Arrival: similar validity, requires a letter from the host company or government entity in Sao Tome and Principe

Visa on arrival

  • Available at Sao Tome International Airport (Salazar Airport); pre-registration online via the national e-visa portal is recommended but on-arrival issuance is also offered
  • Steps: present passport, return ticket, hotel proof, and photo at the immigration desk; pay the fee in cash (USD or EUR preferred)
  • Fee is typically USD 30-50, payable in cash only
  • Processing at the airport usually takes 15-30 minutes per traveler
  • Queues can build up around flights from Lisbon and Libreville; arriving with exact change speeds up the process

Fees & processing time

  • Visa on arrival fee: approximately USD 30-50 depending on current regulations
  • No separate VFS/BLS service fee, since this is issued directly at the border
  • Total estimated cost: USD 30-50 plus any online pre-registration fee if used
  • Processing time: same-day, issued immediately on arrival
  • No express option needed as standard processing is already immediate

Tips for China travelers

  • Carry small denomination USD or EUR cash, as card payment is often unavailable at the airport counter
  • Common rejection reasons: missing return ticket or inability to show proof of funds
  • Pre-registering online before travel, where available, can reduce airport queue time
  • Direct flights from China do not exist; most routes connect via Lisbon, Addis Ababa, or Libreville
  • Extensions beyond 15 days can be requested at the Immigration Directorate in the capital before the initial visa expires

This guide is for information only. Visa policies change without notice. Travel Visa Stack is not an immigration authority. Always verify with official government or embassy sources before making travel plans.