Where a Sao Tome and Principe Passport Can Go Visa-Free
A Santomean passport gives genuine visa-free access to a wide stretch of Central America (Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Panama), plus Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia. Here is exactly what is real outside Africa and what to prepare before you travel.
Before you book: visa policies change often and can depend on your specific passport, purpose of travel and length of stay. Always confirm on the destination's official source link below — shown next to every entry — before purchasing tickets.
Caribbean
Bahamas
Up to 3 months
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, with 2 completely blank pages.
- Return or onward ticket, confirmed accommodation, and proof of sufficient funds.
Dominica
Up to 21 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- A valid return ticket confirming you'll leave within the 21-day window.
- Complete Dominica's online Embarkation/Disembarkation (ED) Card at edcard.dominica.gov.dm within 3 days of travel.
Haiti
Up to 3 months
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Pay a US$10 entry fee in cash at the airport.
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Up to 1 month
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for your entire proposed stay, with at least one completely blank page for the entry stamp.
- No vaccination certificate is required for entry.
Saint Lucia
Up to 6 weeks
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for your full stay.
- Complete the Saint Lucia Electronic Immigration Form at travelslu.govt.lc before boarding.
- Return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation.
Trinidad and Tobago
Up to 1 month
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply for the eVisa online at evisa.ttservices.online — the only route since April 2024, with no embassy visit required.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your arrival date.
- The eVisa allows a maximum stay of 1 month.
Cuba
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at the official evisacuba.cu portal — since 1 July 2025 this e-Visa has fully replaced the old paper tourist card for almost all travellers.
- Passport valid for the length of your stay and a recent digital photo.
- Pay online by card; processing typically takes around 72 business hours.
Americas
Colombia
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply for the eVisa online through Colombia's Cancillería portal.
- Valid passport and scanned copies of relevant pages.
- Complete the Check-Mig form online within 72 hours before your flight.
Ecuador
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Return flight ticket and proof of accommodation.
Panama
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your arrival date.
- Return or onward ticket and proof of at least $500 in funds.
- A hotel reservation or proof of accommodation.
Costa Rica
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid through your stay in Costa Rica.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Proof of accommodation and sufficient funds.
Guatemala
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Return or onward ticket and proof of accommodation.
- Your 90 days is shared across the whole CA-4 zone (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua).
El Salvador
Up to 3 months
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Your stay is shared across the whole CA-4 zone (El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua).
Asia
Hong Kong
Up to 14 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
- A return ticket is recommended.
- No visa, pre-registration or arrival form required.
Singapore
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Proof of onward or departure travel.
- Submit the free SG Arrival Card with Electronic Health Declaration online within 3 days before you arrive.
Malaysia
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Proof of onward or return travel.
- Complete Malaysia's free online Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) at imigresen-online.imi.gov.my within 3 days before you arrive.
Philippines
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Return or onward ticket.
- Register for a free eTravel QR code at etravel.gov.ph within 72 hours of your flight.
Bangladesh
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
- Proof of onward or return travel and evidence of sufficient funds.
- No advance form or online registration exists — go straight to the immigration counter on arrival.
Maldives
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and evidence of sufficient funds.
- Complete the IMUGA Traveller Declaration online at imuga.immigration.gov.mv within 96 hours before your flight.
Timor-Leste
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least one completely blank page.
- Return or onward ticket, or proof you can fund your own departure.
- Pay the $30 visa-on-arrival fee in cash in US dollars.
Only available at Dili International Airport or Dili Sea Port.
Bhutan
Up to Set per approval
What you still need before you travel:
- Bhutan requires all tourists to book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, who submits your e-Visa application to the Department of Immigration on your behalf.
- Pay the visa fee (around $40) plus the Sustainable Development Fee of $100 per person per day (from age 6 up), collected upfront by your operator.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Indonesia
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at the official evisa.imigrasi.go.id portal, run by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Fee is IDR 500,000 (around $32); the Visitor Visa is single-entry for a stay of up to 30 days.
Vietnam
Up to 90 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at evisa.gov.vn.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months with 2 completely blank pages.
- A digital passport photo and scan of your passport data page.
- Fee is $25 single entry or $50 multiple entry; approval by email in 4–5 working days.
Thailand
Up to Set per approval
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at the official Thai e-Visa platform (thaievisa.go.th) — the only route since 1 January 2025.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months and a recent ICAO-standard photo.
- Proof of funds — 30,000 THB single entry or 120,000 THB multiple entry.
- Processing takes at least 15 working days.
Sri Lanka
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online at eta.gov.lk before you fly.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Middle East
Qatar
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply for the Hayya Tourist Visa (A1) online at hayya.qa, or via the Hayya app, before you fly.
- A hotel reservation is required as part of the application.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Bahrain
Up to Set per approval
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply for the eVisa online at the official evisa.gov.bh portal — no other site is authorised to process this for you.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Return or onward ticket.
Iran
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at evisa.mfa.ir before you travel.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Fee is around €60, paid at the airport in cash in euros.
Jordan
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at the official eservices.moi.gov.jo portal, run by Jordan's Ministry of Interior.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Fee is JOD 40 (about $56); approval typically arrives by email within 1–3 business days.
Iraq
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Apply online at the official evisa.iq federal portal, which covers all of Iraq — including Baghdad, Basra and Kurdistan.
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Oceania
Micronesia
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 120 days beyond your entry date.
- Proof of onward travel and evidence of sufficient funds.
Samoa
Up to 60 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Return or onward ticket and a copy of a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds.
- No criminal record or history of deportation from another country.
Samoa waives the entry permit/visa for every nationality on stays under 60 days.
Cook Islands
Up to 31 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date, with at least 2 completely blank pages.
- Return or onward ticket and confirmed accommodation.
- This exemption applies to every nationality.
Palau
Up to 30 days
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Complete the Palau Entry Form online at palautravel.pw within 72 hours of arrival.
- Round-trip ticket, proof of accommodation and funds of around $200/week.
- Sign the Palau Pledge in person, and pay the $100 environmental fee.
Tuvalu
Up to 1 month
What you still need before you travel:
- Passport valid for at least 6 months.
- Return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and evidence of sufficient funds.
- Pay the visa-on-arrival fee (around AUD 100) in cash — more than 30 nationalities are exempt.
- No online visa system exists — everything is arranged in person with the Office of the Chief Immigration Officer in Vaiaku, Funafuti (+688 20-101 / 20-100).
No online visa system — arranged in person on arrival in Funafuti.
Visa-free is for visiting, not working
If you want to move abroad for work, study or family, check our full Visa Guide for real application steps — free, no agents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers on whether a Sao Tome and Principe passport needs a visa for each destination above.
Is Bahamas visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Bahamas visa-free for up to 3 months, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay, with 2 completely blank pages.
Is Dominica visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Dominica visa-free for up to 21 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Is Haiti visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Haiti visa-free for up to 3 months, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Is Saint Vincent and the Grenadines visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Saint Vincent and the Grenadines visa-free for up to 1 month, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for your entire proposed stay, with at least one completely blank page for the entry stamp.
Is Saint Lucia visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Not visa-free, but close: Santomean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Saint Lucia for up to 6 weeks, without applying in advance. Passport valid for your full stay.
Is Trinidad and Tobago visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Trinidad and Tobago, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 1 month. Apply for the eVisa online at evisa.ttservices.online — the only route since April 2024, with no embassy visit required.
Is Cuba visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Cuba, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 90 days. Apply online at the official evisacuba.cu portal — since 1 July 2025 this e-Visa has fully replaced the old paper tourist card for almost all travellers.
Is Colombia visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Colombia, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 90 days. Apply for the eVisa online through Colombia's Cancillería portal.
Is Ecuador visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Ecuador visa-free for up to 90 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is Panama visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Panama visa-free for up to 90 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your arrival date.
Is Costa Rica visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Costa Rica visa-free for up to 90 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid through your stay in Costa Rica.
Is Guatemala visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Guatemala visa-free for up to 90 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is El Salvador visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter El Salvador visa-free for up to 3 months, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is Hong Kong visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Hong Kong visa-free for up to 14 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry.
Is Singapore visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Singapore visa-free for up to 30 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is Malaysia visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Malaysia visa-free for up to 30 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is Philippines visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Philippines visa-free for up to 30 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is Bangladesh visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Not visa-free, but close: Santomean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Bangladesh for up to 30 days, without applying in advance. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay.
Is Maldives visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Not visa-free, but close: Santomean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Maldives for up to 30 days, without applying in advance. Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Is Timor-Leste visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Not visa-free, but close: Santomean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste for up to 30 days, without applying in advance. Passport valid for at least 6 months with at least one completely blank page.
Is Bhutan visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Bhutan, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to Set per approval. Bhutan requires all tourists to book through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator, who submits your e-Visa application to the Department of Immigration on your behalf.
Is Indonesia visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Indonesia, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 30 days. Apply online at the official evisa.imigrasi.go.id portal, run by Indonesia's Directorate General of Immigration.
Is Vietnam visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Vietnam, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 90 days. Apply online at evisa.gov.vn.
Is Thailand visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Thailand, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to Set per approval. Apply online at the official Thai e-Visa platform (thaievisa.go.th) — the only route since 1 January 2025.
Is Sri Lanka visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
No traditional visa is required, but Santomean passport holders must apply for an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online before flying to Sri Lanka for up to 30 days. Apply for the Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) online at eta.gov.lk before you fly.
Is Qatar visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Qatar, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 30 days. Apply for the Hayya Tourist Visa (A1) online at hayya.qa, or via the Hayya app, before you fly.
Is Bahrain visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Bahrain, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to Set per approval. Apply for the eVisa online at the official evisa.gov.bh portal — no other site is authorised to process this for you.
Is Iran visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Iran, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 30 days. Apply online at evisa.mfa.ir before you travel.
Is Jordan visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Jordan, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 30 days. Apply online at the official eservices.moi.gov.jo portal, run by Jordan's Ministry of Interior.
Is Iraq visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Santomean passport holders need an e-Visa for Iraq, applied for entirely online before departure — no embassy visit required for up to 30 days. Apply online at the official evisa.iq federal portal, which covers all of Iraq — including Baghdad, Basra and Kurdistan.
Is Micronesia visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Micronesia visa-free for up to 30 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 120 days beyond your entry date.
Is Samoa visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Samoa visa-free for up to 60 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Is Cook Islands visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Yes — Santomean passport holders can enter Cook Islands visa-free for up to 31 days, with no visa application needed before travel. Passport valid for at least 6 months beyond your departure date, with at least 2 completely blank pages.
Is Palau visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Not visa-free, but close: Santomean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Palau for up to 30 days, without applying in advance. Passport valid for at least 6 months.
Is Tuvalu visa-free for Santomean passport holders?
Not visa-free, but close: Santomean passport holders can get a visa on arrival in Tuvalu for up to 1 month, without applying in advance. Passport valid for at least 6 months.