South Africa visa requirements for São Tomé & Príncipe citizens
Updated 2026-07-07 · verified against the Passport Index dataset
Entry details
Holders of a São Tomé & Príncipe passport do not need a visa when visiting South Africa for up to 90 days. The São Tomé & Príncipe passport currently ranks #142 of 199 worldwide, with 61 destinations reachable visa-free or via visa on arrival / eTA.
South Africa is middling in how freely it admits visitors, admitting 86 of the world's 198 other passports without a prior visa; its own passport ranks #97 with 98 open destinations. Both sit in Africa, where regional agreements often shape entry rules. The relationship isn't symmetric: São Tomé & Príncipe travellers get easier access here than South Africa citizens get in return (e-visa required).
In the opposite direction, South Africa citizens travelling to São Tomé & Príncipe face: e-visa required.