Residence visa for salaried work (visto de residência para actividade profissional subordinada) and temporary residence certificate
Under São Tomé and Príncipe's foreigners law (Law 5/2008), a foreigner coming to work for an employer needs a residence visa. It is granted on a job offer that has a favourable opinion from the ministry responsible for labour. The employer asks for that opinion, which is given within 20 days. It looks at the contract terms and checks that no Santomean or legal resident with a suitable profile is available. The visa allows two entries and a stay of two months, during which the holder applies to the Migration and Borders Service (SMF) for a residence certificate.
Life in São Tomé & Príncipe
Money
3
Currency
São Tomé & Príncipe Dobra
STN
São Tomé & Príncipe Dobra
Cost of living
68
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Who it’s for
Foreign nationals with a job offer from an employer in São Tomé and Príncipe.
Eligibility
Job offer with labour ministry opinion
The residence visa for salaried work depends on a proposed employment contract with a favourable opinion from the ministry responsible for labour (art. 35(1)).
Labour-market check
Your employer requests the labour ministry opinion, which covers the contract terms and confirms no suitable Santomean citizens or legal residents are available.
20 days
Opinion deadline · art. 35(2)
Official wording
The employer requests the opinion, which is issued within 20 days. It covers the contract terms and confirms that no Santomean citizens or legal residents with a suitable profile are available (art. 35(2)).
Assessment criteria
The purpose of the stay and its viability, and the applicant's means of subsistence (art. 34).
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSelf-employed and highly qualified routes
- Document checklistProposed employment contract
- FeesResidence visa and residence certificate fees
The full requirements are for members
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- 1 more requirement
- 4 documents
- 1 fee
- 5 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in São Tomé & Príncipe
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
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Official sources
Other routes to São Tomé & Príncipe
- Visit & tourismEntry authorisation (eVisaST) and visa-free short visits
- Permanent residencePermanent residence certificate
Work permits in other countries
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- EswatiniTemporary Residence Permit - employee
- Turks & Caicos IslandsTurks and Caicos Islands Work Permit
- ChadWork visa through the evisa.td platform
- ThailandNon-Immigrant B Visa (Employment) with Work Permit
