Visiting China: São Toméan citizen → China
You need a Tourist (L) visa
São Tomé and Príncipe passport holders need a Tourist (L) visa to visit China — complete the online COVA application, then submit your passport and documents to a Chinese Visa Application Service Center or embassy/consulate.
The bottom line
- Apply online via the COVA system, then submit your passport and the barcoded application info-page to the visa office.
- Your passport must be valid 6+ months with at least 2 blank visa pages.
- Some nationalities are now visa-free, or can use the 240-hour visa-free transit — check the official source to see if you qualify before applying.
No step-by-step guide for this exact situation yet. The summary above is our rule-based guidance — deliberately conservative, and grounded in the official policy, but not a full source-checked document-and-timeline plan like our verified guides.
For the exact documents, fees and processing time, confirm on the official source →
Where you'll apply
Apply at the Chinese Visa Application Service Center (CVASC) or Chinese embassy/consulate with jurisdiction over where you live.
Confirm your exact requirement on the official Chinese embassy source →