Angola Transit Visas: What You Need To Know

If you're planning a trip to Angola, it's important to understand the country's visa requirements. The good news is that citizens of certain countries, including all EU member states, do not need a visa for short tourist visits of up to 30 days. However, for longer stays or visits involving work, study or business, a visa is typically required. It's also important to ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months from the date of your arrival and that you have the necessary pages available for stamps. Additionally, be mindful of any COVID-19 related restrictions and requirements, as well as other health considerations like yellow fever vaccination.

Transit without a visa

Passengers transiting to a third country by the same or first departing plane can do so without a visa as long as they do not leave the airport. This rule applies to passengers arriving at Luanda Airport in transit to another airport outside Angola.

However, if you are an Angolan national, you may need to apply for an airport transit visa, depending on your nationality and the country you are transiting in. For example, if you are transiting through the Netherlands, you will need to apply for a Schengen short-stay visa or Caribbean visa.

It is important to note that the visa requirements for Angola may change, so it is recommended to check the current requirements before your trip.

In the future, Angola is expected to participate in the KAZA UniVisa programme, which will allow holders of the KAZA visa to travel freely between Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Visa-exempt countries

Visitors to Angola are generally required to obtain a visa in advance from an Angolan diplomatic mission or a pre-visa online. However, citizens of certain countries are exempt from this requirement and can enter Angola without a visa for short stays of up to 30 days per visit. It is important to note that these exemptions are typically limited to tourism purposes, and those travelling for work, study, or business must obtain the appropriate visa in advance.

The following countries are exempt from visa requirements when visiting Angola for tourism purposes:

African Nations:

• Tanzania
• Eswatini
• Morocco
• Lesotho
• Rwanda
• Zimbabwe
• Equatorial Guinea
• Botswana
• Madagascar
• Malawi
• Mauritius
• Seychelles
• Cape Verde
• Algeria

Asian Nations:

• Israel
• United Arab Emirates
• Japan
• Qatar
• Saudi Arabia
• South Korea
• India
• Indonesia
• Singapore
• Timor-Leste
• China

European Nations:

• Türkiye
• Russia
• Germany
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Vatican City
• Czech Republic
• Luxembourg
• Hungary
• Netherlands
• Monaco
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Spain
• Great Britain
• Ireland
• Norway
• Estonia
• Finland
• Austria
• Bulgaria
• Croatia
• Slovakia
• France
• Greece
• Latvia
• Lithuania
• Malta
• Poland
• Romania
• Cyprus
• Slovenia
• Iceland
• Italy
• Portugal

American Nations:

• USA
• Mexico
• Argentina
• Canada
• Chile
• Panama
• Uruguay
• Brazil

Oceania Region:

• Fiji
• Australia
• Marshall Islands
• Solomon Islands
• Micronesia
• Nauru
• New Zealand
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Samoa
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu
• Niue Island

Caribbean and Pacific Region:

• Barbados
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Bahamas
• Belize
• Grenada
• Guyana
• Haiti
• Cook Islands
• Jamaica
• Kiribati
• Dominican Republic
• Saint Lucia
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Suriname
• Trinidad and Tobago

Additionally, citizens of São Tomé and Príncipe, as well as holders of diplomatic passports from Spain, are also exempt from visa requirements when visiting Angola for a maximum of 30 days.

Visa requirements for Angolan citizens

Angolan citizens are required to obtain a visa before entering several countries. As of 9 October 2023, Angolan citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 62 countries and territories, ranking the Angolan passport 75th in terms of travel freedom.

• Antigua and Barbuda: Electronic Entry Visa
• Australia: Online Visitor e600 Visa
• Bosnia and Herzegovina: eVisa or Visa on Arrival
• Central African Republic: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• Republic of the Congo: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• Saint Kitts and Nevis: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• São Tomé and Príncipe: Visa on Arrival
• Trinidad and Tobago: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• United Arab Emirates: Visa on Arrival or eVisa
• United Kingdom: Visa on Arrival or eVisa

Additional Visa Requirements

Some countries may have additional requirements for Angolan citizens to obtain a visa. These may include:

• A valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months to 1 year
• Blank passport pages (usually 1 or 2 pages)
• International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis (ICVP)
• Proof of COVID-19 vaccination
• Proof of sufficient funds or financial support
• Letter of invitation or sponsorship
• Visa application form
• Passport-sized photographs
• Itinerary or proof of onward travel
• Hotel reservation or proof of accommodation
• Criminal background check
• Medical certificate

Passport validity

To enter Angola, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your arrival date. It should also have at least two blank pages. If your passport does not meet these requirements, you will be denied entry into the country.

If you are only transiting through Angola and not leaving the airport, you do not need a transit visa. However, if you are transiting through the Netherlands or Finland, you will need to apply for an airport transit visa. For a Netherlands airport transit visa, your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date of your transit.

If you are travelling to Angola for tourism purposes, you must obtain a tourist visa in advance. This must be used within 60 days of the issue date and is valid for 30 days, which can be extended once for an additional 30 days. Your passport must have a validity of six months and at least two blank pages.

Visa application process

The visa application process for Angola depends on the type of visa you require. Here is a detailed guide on the different types of visas and their respective application processes.

Tourist Visa

If you are a citizen of a country that is exempt from visas under bilateral agreements, you can visit Angola without a visa for up to 30 days per visit and a maximum of three visa-free entries per calendar year. The following countries are exempt from visa requirements:

• All European Union member states
• São Tomé and Príncipe
• Antigua and Barbuda
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
• Trinidad and Tobago
• United Arab Emirates

Citizens of other countries must obtain a tourist visa in advance. The tourist visa must be used within 60 days from the issue date and is valid for 30 days, with a possible extension of an additional 30 days. To apply for a tourist visa, you must submit the following documents:

• Visa application form, duly completed and signed
• Passport with a validity of at least 6 months and at least 2 blank pages
• One recent colour passport-sized photo
• Copy of yellow fever vaccination card
• Copy of hotel reservation or itinerary to Angola with a return ticket
• Bank statement showing a minimum of USD 200 per day of stay in Angola
• Processing fee: USD 70 per applicant (non-refundable)
• Prepaid return envelope (only E Labels from FedEx)

The processing time for a tourist visa is 5 to 8 business days, and expediting is not accepted.

Business Visa

For a business visa, you must submit the following documents in addition to the ones mentioned above:

• A letter from the private company sponsoring the visa applicant, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola (MIREX)
• The letter from the visa applicant, notarized by a notary in Angola
• Evidence of the legal establishment of the company, such as a business permit and tax payment receipts
• Identification of the person signing the letter (passport or other identification document)

The processing fee for a business visa is USD 100 per applicant, and the processing time is the same as for a tourist visa.

Transit Visa

A transit visa is required if you are passing through Angola on your way to another country and will not leave the airport. This type of visa is granted for a maximum of 60 days and allows a stay of up to 5 days. To apply for a transit visa, you need to submit the following:

• Visa application form, duly completed and signed
• One recent colour passport-sized photo
• Photocopy of the ticket to the country of destination
• Proof of holding an entrance visa for the destination country
• Photocopy of the main pages of the passport, including visa pages
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Card
• Processing fee: USD 50 per applicant (non-refundable)
• Prepaid return envelope from FedEx, UPS, or DHL

The processing time for a transit visa is 5 to 7 business days, and expediting is not accepted.

Work Visa

For a work visa, you will need to provide additional documentation, including:

• A letter from the contracting company based in Angola, addressed to the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola
• Academic and professional certificates, translated and authenticated by a notary and the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola
• Criminal background check, translated and authenticated
• Medical certificate, translated and authenticated
• Work contract or promise of employment
• Curriculum Vitae, translated and authenticated

The processing fee for a work visa is USD 250 per applicant, and the processing time may vary.

Student Visa

To apply for a student visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

• Visa application form, duly completed and signed
• Letter of request addressed to the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola
• Criminal background check, translated and authenticated
• Medical certificate, translated and authenticated
• Proof of means of subsistence
• Three recent colour passport-sized photos
• Original and photocopy of the passport, including main pages and migratory movements
• Statement pledging to respect Angolan laws
• Proof of enrollment in a learning institution or guarantee of attendance
• Evidence of academic degree or recognition of research work, if applicable
• Internship program or training contract, if applicable
• Proof of payment of the immigration act requested
• Processing fee: USD 150 per applicant (non-refundable)

Please note that all documents must be translated into Portuguese and authenticated by the Department of State. The processing time may vary, and expediting is not accepted.

Frequently asked questions