São Tomé and Príncipe

Higher-education residence visa and certificate. A foreign higher-education student needs admission to an institution, a travel document valid for the planned stay and a residence visa for study; after entry, proof of enrolment and subsistence support the student residence certificate.

Free, with the law behind every answer

Higher-education residence visa and certificate

Student residence certificate for one year, renewable while enrolment and support conditions continue; separate prior authorization is needed for employment outside study time.

Who qualifies

A foreign higher-education student needs admission to an institution, a travel document valid for the planned stay and a residence visa for study; after entry, proof of enrolment and subsistence support the student residence certificate.
São Tomé and Príncipe Migration and Borders Service, immigration regime arts. 38 and 59

You keep your U.S. citizenship.

It could fit.

Higher-education residence visa and certificate needs admission to a qualifying course; the course and your passport then decide it.

What would settle itYour admission and the course’s eligibility under the destination’s rules.

Every option that fits your family

Not legal advice.

What it takes.

Time: Processing runs from submission of the complete file to the issuing authority’s decision.
Cost: Budget for the application documents, certification, police or medical records and travel in addition to any charge collected at filing.
The hard part: Obtaining school admission and documenting continuing subsistence.

Citizens by 2033.

If your first permit is issued in 2027 and you keep living there, this is the road.

2027
First residence permit
1 year, renewable for 1 year at a time.
2028
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2029
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2030
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2031
Renew the permit
Filed before the old one lapses; renews for 1 year.
2032
Permanent residence
Five years of temporary residence opens the permanent residence certificate, subject to lawful stay, means, housing and good conduct.
2032
Apply for citizenship
With a language test.
2033
Citizenship

Language: Sufficient Portuguese or one of São Tomé and Príncipe’s national languages.
Time away: At least five years of habitual lawful residence before applying; naturalisation is granted by government decree.
Two passports: It depends on the rules at the time and on your home country.

The law expressly gives the student certificate a one-year renewable term; lawful years can build the five-year nationality clock.
How long the decision takes isn’t published; we allow a year.
Whether you can keep your current citizenship depends on the rules at the time and your home country.

The law behind these dates

Living there.

Time you must spend there: The program sets no minimum number of days. Renewal still expects it to be your home.
Tax: Where you become tax resident follows the days you spend there and where your home is. We map it for your family before you move.

We never file a tax return. We tell you what applies and brief the professional who does.

Start today.

Obtain admission or current enrolment evidence, then begin the published study-permit process.Open smf.st ↗
Gather these documents.
- The degree or admission letter, and proof of funds
- Request your FBI Identity History Summary
- Health cover for the move

Postern can’t run this for you yet.

The official application forms, submission and recovery specification are not complete. Postern cannot run this application yet.

Options open to you today →

ISSUED TO

YOUR FAMILY

Cover

POSTERN