PassportSão Tomé and Príncipe Passport
Passport rankings out of 226 countries
Visa requirements
Showing all 226 destinations
Last Updated:
This is not a passport built for spontaneous global travel. The Santomean passport ranks 75th in 2026 and reaches 58 destinations through simplified access. African mobility tends to be strongest on regional corridors and more uneven on long-haul routes. It is slightly below its 2006 position of 74th. Access has widened meaningfully, from 22 destinations then to 58 now. The split between its global score (19) and openness score (45) is worth noticing; mobility and inbound openness are not moving in lockstep. This passport leans heavily on arrival-based access rather than pure visa-free entry: 30 destinations offer visa on arrival, including Djibouti, Madagascar, and Bangladesh. There are also 29 visa-free destinations, such as Bahamas, Cook Islands, and Costa Rica. The practical advice is simple: check the visa route early and keep the 6-month validity buffer in mind before booking. Rules change, so travellers should still confirm the final entry requirement with the relevant embassy or government site before travel.
Free One-Page Travel Guide
Download your printable São Tomé and Príncipe passport visa guide with all 29+ visa-free destinations
✈️Top Visa-Free Destinations for São Tomé and Príncipe Citizens
| Destination | Maximum Stay |
|---|---|
Senegal | varies |
Ghana | varies |
Singapore | varies |
Philippines | varies |
Malaysia | varies |
📈Historical Ranking Trend
São Tomé and Príncipe's passport ranking progression from 2006 to 2026
Historical ranking trend based on available yearly data.
Trend: Declined by 1 position from 2006 to 2026
Visa Requirements by Country
Complete breakdown of visa requirements for São Tomé and Príncipe passport holders
✅ Visa-Free
29 countries
Bahamas
Cook Islands
Costa Rica
Dominica
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong (SAR China)
Kosovo
Malaysia
Micronesia
Nicaragua
Panama
Philippines
Rwanda
Singapore
South Africa
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Suriname
Barbados
Togo
Angola
Gabon
Benin
Zambia
Ghana
Kenya
🛬 Visa on Arrival
30 countries
Djibouti
Madagascar
Bangladesh
Bolivia
Burundi
Cambodia
Cape Verde Islands
Comoro Islands
Egypt
Guinea-Bissau
Iran
Jordan
Laos
Macao (SAR China)
Malawi
Maldives
Mauritius
Mozambique
Namibia
Nepal
Palau Islands
Samoa
St. Lucia
Tanzania
Timor-Leste
Tuvalu
Zimbabwe
Ethiopia
Niue
Sierra Leone
🔐 ETA Required
2 countries
Sri Lanka
Seychelles
💻 E-Visa
37 countries
Antigua and Barbuda
Azerbaijan
Colombia
Georgia
Kyrgyzstan
Moldova
Montserrat
Oman
Pakistan
Qatar
St. Kitts and Nevis
Tajikistan
Türkiye
United Arab Emirates
Uganda
Albania
Vietnam
Guinea
Kazakhstan
Botswana
Bahrain
Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea
Syria
Cuba
Thailand
Indonesia
Burkina Faso
Mauritania
Congo (Dem. Rep.)
Nigeria
Liberia
St. Helena
Somalia
Bhutan
Cote d'Ivoire
South Sudan
❌ Visa Required
128 countries
Afghanistan
Algeria
Andorra
Anguilla
Argentina
Armenia
Aruba
Austria
Belarus
Belgium
Belize
Bonaire; St. Eustatius and Saba
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Brazil
Brunei
Bulgaria
Canada
Cayman Islands
Central African Republic
Chad
Chile
China
Congo (Rep.)
Croatia
Curacao
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Eritrea
Estonia
Falkland Islands
Faroe Islands
Fiji
Finland
France
French Guiana
French Polynesia
French West Indies
The Gambia
Germany
Gibraltar
Greece
Greenland
Grenada
Guam
Guyana
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Kiribati
Latvia
Lebanon
Libya
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
North Macedonia
Mali
Malta
Marshall Islands
Mayotte
Mexico
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Nauru
Netherlands
New Caledonia
New Zealand
Niger
North Korea
Northern Mariana Islands
Norway
Palestinian Territory
Papua New Guinea
Paraguay
Peru
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Reunion
Romania
Russian Federation
American Samoa
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Slovakia
Slovenia
Solomon Islands
South Korea
Spain
St. Maarten
Sudan
eSwatini
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan (Chinese Taipei)
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Turks and Caicos Islands
Ukraine
United Kingdom
United States
Uruguay
Vanuatu
Vatican City
Venezuela
British Virgin Islands
US Virgin Islands
Yemen
Australia
Bermuda
Senegal
Uzbekistan
Kuwait
Lesotho
Comparison against other countries
Closely related passports based on region, mobility tier, and travel profile.
Cape Verde
Both are African island nations with similar historical diplomatic ties and mid-range regional mobility scores.
Comparison context
The mobility profile of Sao Tome and Principe is often compared to the Cape Verde passport due to their shared status as Atlantic lusophone states.Angola
Both countries are members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), influencing diplomatic visa agreements.
Comparison context
Diplomatic relations within the CPLP often link the travel policies of Sao Tome and Principe with Angola regarding regional cooperation.Mauritania
Mauritania maintains a global ranking within the same tier, typically fluctuating between the 80th and 85th positions.
Comparison context
In terms of global standing, Mauritania's visa-free access offers a similar level of travel freedom within the African continent.Related sources and important links
Trusted references for São Tomé and Príncipe passport rules, travel notices, and government information.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Check Your Passport Validity
Planning to travel with your São Tomé and Príncipe passport? Many countries require 3-6 months of passport validity beyond your travel date. Use our free passport validity checker to verify you meet entry requirements before booking your trip.