United Arab Emirates e-Visa for citizens of Sao Tome and Principe: online application, fees and processing time 2026
Yes, an e-Visa is required: citizens of Sao Tome and Principe apply online before departure.
Data updated on
Indicative information: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
Our guide to the United Arab Emirates visa from Sao Tome and Principe
Citizens of Sao Tome and Principe need a visa to enter the United Arab Emirates, issued as an electronic visa (e-Visa) to be applied for online before travelling.
From this small archipelago in the Gulf of Guinea, a São Toméan traveller enjoys no visa-free entry to the UAE and must obtain an e-Visa beforehand. The application is made electronically, through the ICP portal or a UAE sponsor (hotel, airline, resident relative). The online route is especially suited to a country with no Emirati consular representation on the ground.
Do you need a visa?
Yes. Nationals of Sao Tome and Principe must obtain an e-Visa before travelling to the UAE. The passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry. The short-stay tourist visa is the most common category for a leisure trip.
How much does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates cost from Sao Tome and Principe?
The official fee for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is not published in a source we can verify. Check the amount on the official portal before paying anything, third-party sites often add service fees on top.
What does a visa for the United Arab Emirates really cost?
- Government feeNot published in a source we can verify
- Agency or online serviceOptional, added on top
What documents are required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates?
Documents required for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates:
- Passport valid 6 months beyond stay
- Online application (no paper form)
- Digital photo (recent)
- Visa fee payment
- Return or onward ticket
- Travel medical insurance
- Proof of accommodation
Documents and fees
Prepare a São Toméan passport valid for six months, a compliant photo, a copy of the bio-data page, proof of accommodation and usually a return ticket; a yellow-fever certificate may be required depending on the itinerary. Fees vary by the visa's duration and type and are not confirmed here: check the official rate on the ICP portal. Use only official payment channels.
How to apply for an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates from Sao Tome and Principe
- 1Fill in the form on the destination’s official portal.
- 2Upload the required documents (passport, photo, supporting papers).
- 3Pay the fee online by card.
- 4Receive the authorisation by email, usually without a consular visit.
- 5Show the authorisation, printed or on your phone, at boarding.
How and where to apply
Apply online through the ICP portal and app (icp.gov.ae), or via a UAE sponsor such as a hotel, an airline (Emirates, Etihad) or a resident family member. As Sao Tome has no Emirati embassy, the digital route avoids any travel, and the sponsor can file the case for you. Ensure high-quality scans to speed up the review.
Where do you apply for a visa for the United Arab Emirates from Sao Tome and Principe?
An e-visa for the United Arab Emirates is filed entirely online: there is no counter to visit and no file to hand in. The only address that matters is the official portal.
- The application, the supporting documents and the payment all go through the official portal, from any country.
- Lookalike sites copy the portal’s name and layout, then resell the same application with a margin. Check the domain before you type in a passport number.
- The authorisation arrives by email. Keep a printed copy, some airlines ask for it at boarding.
You live in Sao Tome and Principe on another passport?
The regime follows your nationality, not where you live. If you reside in Sao Tome and Principe but travel on another country's passport, the rule on this page is not yours. Filing usually still happens from your country of residence, at the post competent for it, but the requirement itself comes from your passport.
Pick your nationality to see the rule
How long does an e-visa for the United Arab Emirates take?
No verified processing time is published for this route. Apply as early as your travel dates allow, and never book non-refundable travel before the e-visa is granted.
Processing and tips
Processing time is not guaranteed; plan ahead, especially as flights from Sao Tome often involve several connections. Keep the visa confirmation in digital and printed form for boarding and immigration. Check the length of stay granted so you can arrange any extension within the deadline.
Before you fly, and at the border
Passport validity, border checks, minors, overstays: the rules common to every trip are gathered on our travel tips page. Formalities before you leave
Common mistakes
The most common errors are a soon-to-expire passport, a name spelled differently from the document, and relying on unofficial intermediary sites. Do not count on visa on arrival: obtain the e-Visa before departure. Do not overstay the authorised period to avoid daily fines.
Plan your trip
Nomad Insurance travel cover (SafetyWing)
Medical cover and repatriation, can be taken out mid-trip.
Flights (Trip.com)
Compare flights and airlines for your trip.
eSIM data (Saily)
Stay connected on landing, with no roaming charges. Requires an eSIM-compatible phone.
Tours and activities (GetYourGuide)
Book excursions ahead, with free cancellation on most activities.
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Other visa types for United Arab Emirates
A tourist stay is not the only purpose. These are the other permits the destination issues and that your nationality is eligible for, each with its own fee and processing time.
Official sources
- ICP: Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs & Port Security (UAE)
- Official UAE Government Portal: Visa services
- GDRFA Dubai: General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs
Guide generated automatically on July 26, 2026, from the verified catalogue.
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Indicative information, drawn from official sources and Wikipedia, and updated automatically. Rules change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before booking. Our methodology · Official portal
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