The GSA
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Country guide

Sao Tome St E Principe

Visa

Visa required

Vaccinations

Conditional

Currency

Dobra (STD)

Time zones

No UTC/GMT offset (2 hours behind South Africa)

Dialing code

+ 239

Best time to go

June and September

Drinking water

All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled

Visa guide

Entry requirements

  • Proof of sufficient funds (EUR 100 per day)
  • Payment for the visa will be made at the border in cash

Visa requirements

Visas are required by South African Passport Holders.

This can be applied for online at: www.smf.st/evisa

REQUIREMENTS

  • Scanned passport
  • Travel Information (Itinerary, Addresses, etc)
  • Return Air Ticket

Keep the case number that is created at the end of the application.

Visa processing time

7 working days

SA representative

South African Embassy
Campo de Milho, São Tomé
Tel: + 239 227 568
E-mail: consuafricasul@cstome.net

Health / vaccinations

Compulsory: Yellow Fever (Dependant on Country of Origin/Stopover)
Recommended Travel Vaccines: Hepatitis A & B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus, Polio
Malaria Risk

Public holidays

2026: Jan 1, 4-5; Feb 3; May 1; Jul 12-13; Sep 6-7, 30; Sep 30; Dec 21, 25

Please check with relevant authorities for the latest updates before travel.

Last updated: 15 June 2026