Western Africa · Immigration

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

26 immigration routes

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha sits in Western Africa. Its immigration system runs 26 distinct routes — led by work, family and short stay & visit, each set out in official law. All 26 cite an official government source, shown on the route with the date we last read it. Who actually qualifies depends on your full profile.

Immigration routes
26across 9 route categories, each set out in official law
Source-cited routes
26 of 26cite an official government source, with the date we last read it
Largest category
Work6 of the 26 routes — see them under Work below
Region
Western Africa
Capital
Jamestown
Population
5,651
Official language
English
Currency
SHP
Time zone
UTC+00:00
Source-cited pathways

Immigration routes

All 26 routes, grouped by purpose — 26 of 26 cite an official government source directly.

Work

6 routes

For an off-island contractor undertaking a local-organisation project in one continuous stay of no more than three months.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For an off-island contractor undertaking a local-organisation project requiring multiple entries over no more than six months.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For an off-island contractor undertaking a local-organisation project requiring multiple entries over no more than one year.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For a person holding a local employment contract with one of Ascension's local employing organisations.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

Business & self-employment

3 routes

For a business representative conducting work-related business activities for more than fourteen days and no more than two months.

Eligibility: 2Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 6
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For an entrepreneur who will personally work in a Saint Helena venture and can satisfy the Board on labour-market, skills and public-interest considerations.

Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: sainthelena.gov.sh · checked 2026-07-26 · 2 sources

For an immigrant carrying on a profession, trade, business or vocation alone or in partnership, subject to labour-market, skills and public-interest assessment.

Eligibility: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 9
Official government source: sainthelena.gov.sh · checked 2026-07-26

Study

1 route

Family

5 routes

For the spouse, partner or dependent child under 18 of an Employment Visa holder, simultaneous applicant, or Ascension Island Government employee with accompanied status.

Documents: 3Report facts: 9
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

Residence-based status

1 route

Short stay & visit

5 routes

For a person landing, ordinarily by sea, for one short stay of no more than three days under restricted local conditions.

Report facts: 10
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For a business representative conducting a short business or consulting visit connected with an Ascension employing organisation for no more than fourteen days.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 2Report facts: 8
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For a holiday, family or friend visit, general visit, or a stop longer than transit limits, with insurance, accommodation and support.

Report facts: 10
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

For a stay in Saint Helena of no more than 183 days, with a suitably valid passport, intention to leave and resources for the applicant, dependants and repatriation.

Process & costs: 1Report facts: 7
Official government source: sainthelena.gov.sh · checked 2026-07-26

Humanitarian protection

1 of 1 says who you can bring
1 route

Transit

2 routes

For an outbound and return stop in Ascension, each of no more than seven days, where the return stop occurs within three months.

Documents: 2Process & costs: 1Report facts: 6
Official government source: ascension.gov.ac · checked 2026-07-26

Other & special

2 routes

For a stay exceeding 183 days, with a passport valid beyond the permit, sufficient support and repatriation means, and a character declaration accepted by the Immigration Control Board.

Eligibility: 1Documents: 1Process & costs: 2Report facts: 5
Official government source: sainthelena.gov.sh · checked 2026-07-26

Official sources

Compiled by António Mira, founder · How we verify our data · Not legal advice — immigration rules and thresholds change; confirm with the official sources above before deciding.

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