São Tomé and Príncipe
United States
United States visa for citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe
Entry requirement
Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe must obtain a visa before travelling to the United States.
- Where to apply
- No mission in your country
- Visa guide
- United States visa guide
Checked 7 November 2026 · Passport Index
Which United States visa?
Key facts
- Maximum stay
- Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors
- Fee
- US$185
- Processing time
- Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed
All visa types for the United States
For the tourist visa, the United States’ official sources give a standard fee of US$185. Processing time, as the United States states it: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed. Longest stay on the tourist visa: Set by CBP on the I-94 at entry, usually up to 6 months for visitors.
Where citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe apply for a visa for the United States
United States has no embassy or consulate in São Tomé and Príncipe on our records; applications usually go through a mission in a neighbouring country or an online portal.
- Embassy of the United States in Libreville297 km
Eb Sablière 4000, Libreville
- 439 km
- Embassy of the United States in Yaoundé662 km
Rue Rosa Parks, Yaoundé
The nearest US missions to São Tomé are in Libreville, Gabon (297 km from São Tomé), Malabo, Equatorial Guinea (439 km) and Yaoundé, Cameroon (662 km). The United States sets which of its missions takes applications from São Tomé and Príncipe; the mission or the official visa portal confirms it before an appointment is booked.
US visas issued to citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe
| Visas issued | FY 2024 | FY 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Visitor (B) | 12 | 18 |
| Student (F, M) | 1 | 1 |
| Exchange (J) | 5 | 9 |
| Transit and crew (C, D) | 5 | 0 |
| Diplomatic and official (A, G) | 53 | 42 |
| Total | 76 | 70 |
| B visa refusal rate (adjusted) | 50.0% | 25.0% |
In fiscal year 2025 (October 2024 to September 2025) the United States issued 70 nonimmigrant visas to citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe, the 191st highest number of the 206 nationalities listed. Diplomatic and official visas (A, G) made up 60%, visitor visas 26% and exchange visitor visas 13%. That is 8% fewer than in fiscal year 2024 (76).
From October 2025 to February 2026, citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe received 4, 82% fewer than in the same months a year earlier.
For visitor visas (B1/B2) the State Department reports an adjusted refusal rate of 25.0% for citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe in fiscal year 2025 (fiscal year 2024: 50.0%). The adjusted rate counts a refusal that was later overcome, for example with further documents, as an issuance. A rate below 3% is one of the conditions for a country to join the Visa Waiver Program.
These figures count visas issued to citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe anywhere in the world, not only at the US missions in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Source: US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, monthly nonimmigrant visa issuances up to February 2026 and adjusted refusal rates (public domain). US fiscal years run from October to September. How these figures are made
US citizens travelling to São Tomé and Príncipe
United StatesSão Tomé and Príncipe Visa-free, 15 days São Tomé and Príncipe visa for citizens of the United States
Travel advice for the United States
- UK Foreign Office (FCDO) No advice against travel
- German Foreign Office No travel warning
What the US, British and German foreign ministries tell their own citizens about travelling there, in each ministry’s own terms.
Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe planning a trip to the United States can compare how foreign ministries rate it: the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office does not advise against travel to the United States (updated 30 October 2026) and the German Foreign Office has no travel warning for the United States (updated 30 October 2026).
Good to know
How long citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe can stay in the United States
How long citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe may stay in the United States is set by the visa issued, and the visa type must match the purpose of the trip.
How citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe apply
The United States has no embassy or career consulate in São Tomé and Príncipe. Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe apply through a mission of the United States accredited to São Tomé and Príncipe from abroad; the official visa portal of the United States names the right place.
The United States’ neighbours for citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe
Canada and Mexico require citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe to obtain a visa in advance.
US citizens travelling to São Tomé and Príncipe
São Tomé and Príncipe admits US citizens without a visa for stays of up to 15 days.
Frequently asked questions
Do citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe need a visa for the United States?
Citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe must obtain a visa before travelling to the United States.
Is there an embassy of the United States in São Tomé and Príncipe?
No. The United States has no embassy in São Tomé and Príncipe. The nearest US embassy is in Libreville, Gabon, 297 km from São Tomé.
How much does the United States tourist visa cost?
The United States’ official sources give a standard fee of US$185 for the tourist visa. Processing time: Interview wait times vary; most visas are decided at or shortly after the interview unless administrative processing is needed.
Do US citizens need a visa for São Tomé and Príncipe?
São Tomé and Príncipe admits US citizens without a visa for stays of up to 15 days.
Can citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe enter the United States visa-free?
No; citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe need a visa for the United States obtained in advance.
Visa data: Passport Index via passport-index-data, as of 7 November 2026. Rules change, sometimes overnight. Confirm with the embassy or the official government portal before you book.