At a glance
If a local employer offers you a job in São Tomé and Príncipe, it must first seek a favorable Labor Ministry opinion. You then use the appropriate residence-entry visa to apply for a local residence certificate. The visa and certificate are separate steps.
- Job offer required?
- Yes, with employer support
- Labor review
- The employer must request a favorable ministry opinion
- Local recruitment
- The review considers suitable citizens and lawful residents for the job
Summary
A qualifying local job can support a foreign employee's residence in São Tomé and Príncipe, beginning with the employer's request for a Labor Ministry opinion. That review considers the proposed contract and whether suitable citizens or lawful residents are available for the role.
The worker then prepares personal, support, housing, and character records for the entry and residence process. The residence-entry visa provides two entries and two months to seek the local residence certificate, rather than completing residence approval itself. Online filing is limited to countries without São Toméan diplomatic representation.
Eligibility
Article 35 requires a job proposal and a favorable opinion requested by the employer. The review considers the contract and whether suitable São Toméan citizens or lawful residents are available for the job.
Prepare your contract, identity, financial-support, accommodation, and character records. The residence-entry visa allows two entries and two months to pursue the residence certificate.
The online visa channel is available only for countries without São Toméan diplomatic representation. Confirm which application channel applies to you.
-
Arrange the labor review Your employer requests the favorable ministry opinion.
-
Obtain the entry visa Use the appropriate application channel for your location.
-
Apply for local residence Pursue the residence certificate within the visa’s two-month period.
The residence-entry visa does not replace the local residence certificate.
What This Route Allows
You can live and work in São Tomé and Príncipe in the approved role and for the period covered by your permissions. The temporary residence certificate normally lasts one year and is renewable, subject to the conditions. It is separate from the two-month entry-visa step.
What This Route Is Not
A job offer, business visit, or entry visa alone does not authorize employment. These approvals do not guarantee unrestricted job changes, work rights for accompanying family, permanent residence, or citizenship.
Next Steps
- Confirm the job and have your employer request the required Labor Ministry opinion.
- Gather employment and personal records, then apply for the residence-entry visa through the appropriate channel.
- Complete the local residence-certificate application and follow the employment and residence conditions.
Stay up to date on this pathway
Get an email when something important changes.
Discussed in these reports
Hong Kong
Hong Kong Skilled Employee Residence
Hong Kong's skilled employment route is for professionals with a confirmed local job that uses their education, technical skills, or substantial relevant experience.
Ireland
Ireland Intra-Company Transfer Permit
A non-EEA senior manager, key employee, or trainee may transfer temporarily from an overseas company to a connected Irish entity under an Intra-Company Transfer Employment…
Netherlands
Netherlands Company Transfer Residence Permit
Managers, specialists, and trainee employees may be able to transfer from a company outside the EU to a Dutch branch under the EU intra-corporate transferee route.