Saint Helena e-Visa

Q: What is the Saint Helena e-Visa?

The Saint Helena e-Visa is an official electronic entry permit issued via the government portal to visitors planning short stays (up to 183 days). Apply at the official portal evisa.sainthelena.gov.sh . Once approved you receive an email with a printable PDF confirmation to present at check-in and immigration. We also offer guided applications — Apply now .

Q: Who needs the Saint Helena e-Visa?

If you are not a St Helenian status holder or a visa-exempt British passport holder you must obtain an eVisa or short-term entry permit before travel. Transit crew and diplomatic passport holders are usually exempt. See Do I need an e-Visa? and our country page for details: Saint Helena visa information .

Q: What happens if I arrive without a valid Saint Helena e-Visa?

Arriving without the correct entry permit can lead to denied boarding at your departure airport or refusal of entry on arrival; local law makes it an offence to land without a valid visa or permit. Airlines commonly verify visas at check-in, so secure the eVisa before you travel.

Q: Can I edit or correct my application after submission?

Minor corrections can sometimes be made via the official eVisa portal or by contacting St Helena Immigration at evisaenquiries@sainthelena.gov.sh. If your travel date is imminent, contact support promptly and keep documentation handy; re-submission may be necessary in some cases. Start an application if you need to reapply.

Q: Is a departure Saint Helena e-Visa also required?

No — the eVisa is an entry permit. There is no separate outbound "departure e-Visa" requirement. Check the official portal for any transit or exit procedures, and consult the eVisa FAQ for updates.

Q: Which airports and seaports accept this document?

Present your eVisa at the main international gateway, Saint Helena Airport (HLE) . Sea arrivals and cruise calls present documentation at Jamestown/Rupert's Bay and other recognised ports — see UNECE locode listings and local port pages for Tristan da Cunha and Ascension. For Ascension visit Ascension Immigration .

Q: Can I apply from my mobile phone?

Yes. The official eVisa portal supports mobile browsers for form completion and document upload, though larger devices can make passport scans and uploads easier. Upload clear passport photos and proof of insurance to avoid delays. Start on the official portal .

Q: How far in advance should I apply for the eVisa?

Apply well before travel — the government advises applying in good time, and Ascension asks for applications at least 14 days before travel in routine cases. We recommend applying 2–4 weeks ahead to allow for document checks and any corrections. Start your application .

Q: What is the step-by-step application process?

1) Go to the official portal ( evisa.sainthelena.gov.sh ). 2) Complete personal and passport sections and upload photos/documents. 3) Add proof of accommodation, return ticket and insurance. 4) Review and submit; payment is online. 5) Receive email confirmation/PDF if approved. For guided help apply with DoVisa .

Q: Do children need their own Saint Helena e-Visa?

Yes. Each traveller, including infants and minors, must have their own eVisa or short-term entry permit. Parents or guardians should complete applications on behalf of children and include passport details and guardianship information where requested.

Apply for the Saint Helena e-Visa online — official eVisa portal processing for stays up to 183 days with guided support and document checks.

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What Is the Saint Helena e-Visa?

The Saint Helena e-Visa is an electronic visitor visa issued by the St Helena Government that lets eligible travellers apply for permission to visit Saint Helena for short-term stays — typically up to 183 days. Launched as an online replacement for paper-based entry permits, the eVisa system lets applicants submit personal details, passport data and supporting documents securely through the official portal. The evisa portal streamlines processing for tourism, family visits and short business travel to Saint Helena and associated territories.

Applications are submitted at the official government portal (evisa.sainthelena.gov.sh) or via authorised partners for guided completion. Typical processing includes identity verification and document checks; when approved you receive an electronic confirmation by email — a printable eVisa or PDF that you should carry to present at check-in and on arrival. Airlines and the St Helena immigration service check the eVisa confirmation and passport at boarding and on arrival at Saint Helena Airport (HLE).

The Saint Helena e-Visa works alongside other entry systems for the territory: Ascension and Tristan da Cunha operate separate entry-permit processes and shorter-stay eVisa options. The eVisa is an entry permit — it is not a residence or work permit. Recent guidance on health entry rules was updated in early 2026: the UK FCDO and local authorities removed the routine yellow fever vaccination certificate requirement for arrivals from risk countries (see official guidance below). Always check the official portal for the latest policy and the specific eVisa type you need for Ascension or Tristan da Cunha.

Quick facts: issued electronically via the St Helena eVisa portal, valid for short-term stays up to 183 days, and checked at Saint Helena Airport (HLE). For broader rules see Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha visa information. Apply for your Saint Helena e-Visa now.

Who Needs the Saint Helena e-Visa?

Who Needs It

Foreign nationals who plan to visit Saint Helena and require a short-term entry permit to stay up to 183 days
Visitors arriving for tourism, family visits or short business trips who do not hold St Helenian status
Children and minors — a parent or guardian completes the application on their behalf

Who Is Exempt

Saint Helenian status holders (St Helenians do not require a visa but may be asked to show evidence of status)
British citizens holding full British passports (visa-free, check specific entry conditions)
Airline and vessel crew on active official duty
Diplomatic and official passport holders on government business

Saint Helena Entry Requirements & Restrictions

Passport Validity

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date you arrive in St Helena or Ascension. For Tristan da Cunha, passports must be valid for the duration of your stay. See the official entry guidance on GOV.UK.

Vaccination & Health Notes

Yellow fever vaccination certificates were removed from routine entry requirements in early 2026 per updated guidance — check GOV.UK entry requirements and TravelHealthPro for country-specific medical advice before travel.

Travel & Medical Insurance

You must have adequate travel and medical insurance. St Helena recommends cover that includes emergency air evacuation (example guidance references cover around £175,000 for St Helena and £500,000 for Ascension). Bring proof of insurance to show on arrival. See official guidance at GOV.UK.

Customs & Prohibited Items

There are strict rules on importing alcohol and other restricted goods. Consult St Helena Customs for full lists of prohibited and restricted imports before packing: HM Customs - St Helena.

Funds, Tickets & Accommodation

Immigration officers may ask for a return or onward ticket, proof of accommodation and evidence of sufficient funds for your stay. If in doubt, carry printed confirmations and insurance documents for inspection.

Travel Tips for Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Visitors

Saint Helena is a remote South Atlantic territory with unique logistics — plan carefully for infrequent flights and limited island services. The main international air gateway is Saint Helena Airport (HLE). Tristan da Cunha is reachable mainly by sea and requires special permission; Ascension operates its own entry-permit system and occasional flights.

Best time to visit: Southern hemisphere spring and summer months offer milder weather and more reliable sea conditions.
Currency: Saint Helena Pound (SHP) — tied to British Pound Sterling (GBP). Many businesses accept GBP; carry local cash where possible. US dollars (USD) are not widely accepted — exchange before travel.
Language: English is the official language and is widely used for administration and tourism.
Time zone: GMT (UTC+0) on Saint Helena — Ascension and Tristan da Cunha may observe different local offsets; check local times with your airline.
Transfers & logistics: Flights are infrequent — align connections with the published Airlink/charter schedule and confirm transfers well ahead.
Health & supplies: Medical facilities are limited on remote islands; bring prescription medicines in original packaging and proof of prescription.
Customs & alcohol: Strict import rules apply for alcohol and certain goods — consult customs pages and declare items on arrival.
Respect local culture: Small island communities appreciate polite, low-key behaviour and prior booking for tours and services.

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Amina T.Feb 8, 2026

"Applied for the Saint Helena e-Visa before a family trip. The portal guided me through passport photo and document uploads; approval email arrived and the PDF eVisa printed without issues. Smooth boarding at my departure airport."

Luis R.Jan 12, 2026

"Needed the Saint Helena e-Visa for a 3-month stay. The process was clear, support answered a question about my travel insurance quickly, and immigration at HLE scanned my printed eVisa with no delay."

Mei H.Dec 20, 2025

"Booked a last-minute flight and used the official evisa portal — got the confirmation by email and was able to show the PDF at check-in. Saint Helena e-Visa approval saved us time on arrival."

Olu K.Oct 5, 2025

"The application was straightforward but I had to resize my passport scan twice. Support helped and the visa arrived within a day. Good guidance on the insurance requirement."

Hannah B.Sep 9, 2025

"Process worked well; the checklist for proof of accommodation and return ticket was especially useful. Printed the eVisa PDF and kept it with my passport at all times."

Carlos M.Aug 14, 2025

"Applied via the portal for a business visit to Ascension as well. Helpful reminders to include emergency evacuation cover on the insurance certificate."

Nora L.Jul 2, 2025

"Everything arrived in time but the airport was busier than expected. Having the eVisa PDF and travel insurance printed made immigration checks faster."

Tom S.Jun 5, 2025

"I made a small mistake in my passport number and had to contact support to correct it before travel. Resolved, but allow time for fixes before your flight."

Indira P.May 10, 2025

"Perfect for a family holiday — each child had their details on separate applications and we kept the emailed PDFs together. Immigration at HLE was efficient."

Javier E.Apr 20, 2025

"Fast, clear and reliable. The portal walks you through passport MRZ capture and document upload. Approval email included the eVisa PDF we printed for the flight to HLE."

Amina T.Feb 8, 2026

Luis R.Jan 12, 2026

Mei H.Dec 20, 2025

"Booked a last-minute flight and used the official evisa portal — got the confirmation by email and was able to show the PDF at check-in. Saint Helena e-Visa approval saved us time on arrival."