Entry Requirements For Angola After Work Visa Approval

Angola is one of the most challenging countries in the world to obtain a visa for. The visa requirements for Angola are strict, and the process is often frustrating. However, it is not impossible, and there are several steps you can take to increase your chances of success.

First, it is important to determine whether you need a visa at all. Citizens of some countries can enter Angola without a visa for stays of up to 30 days at a time (90 days total per calendar year). However, if you are travelling for work, you must obtain a visa in advance.

If you do need a visa, you will need to gather several documents, including a valid passport, proof of vaccination, proof of accommodation, and proof of funds to cover your stay. You will also need to fill out a visa application form and submit it to the Angolan embassy or consulate, either in person or online.

The cost of a visa varies depending on the type of visa you are applying for, but it is generally between $100 and $350. Processing times can also vary, but most visas are valid for 60 days from the date of issue, and you will typically receive a response to your application within 3-5 working days.

It is important to note that Angola has strict rules about goods you can bring into and out of the country, and there are heavy fines for visa offences. Make sure you are familiar with all the requirements and restrictions before you travel.

What documents do I need to enter Angola?

To enter Angola on a work visa, you must submit the following documents:

• A valid passport for the entire duration of your stay in Angola. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay and have a minimum of two blank pages.
• A completed and signed Angola visa application form.
• A recent passport-sized photograph.
• Proof of travel itinerary, such as flight reservations.
• Proof of accommodation arrangements in Angola (e.g. hotel reservation, invitation letter).
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Angola (e.g. bank statement).
• A letter of invitation or supporting documents, depending on the type of visa you are applying for (e.g. business visa).
• A medical certificate and a yellow fever vaccination certificate.
• A criminal record document.
• A work contract or promise of employment.
• Academic and professional certificates.
• A curriculum vitae.
• A copy of the Official Gazette of the Republic, publishing the company's by-laws.
• Current evidence of payment of tax obligations.

Please note that some documents must be endorsed in the country's embassy before attaching them to the Angola work visa application. These include the letter of invitation, contract of employment, educational qualifications, professional licence/certificate, and medical certificate. All documents must be in perfect Portuguese and compiled according to the standards. If your documents are in another language, you must enlist a professional translation service.

How long can I stay in Angola?

If you are travelling to Angola for work, you must obtain a visa in advance. Work visas allow individuals to stay in the country for up to 12 months and can be extended twice with multiple entries. However, the visa is only valid for the professional activity outlined in the work contract.

The cost of a work visa is usually $100 and it must be obtained from an Angolan consulate. The visa is valid for at least three months and no more than 36 months, so employees will need to re-apply once it expires.

If you are travelling for work, you must present immigration authorities with a passport valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay.

In addition to a work visa, expats also need a work permit in Angola. Your company must apply for work permits on behalf of all employees before they obtain a work visa.

What are the costs of entering Angola?

The costs of entering Angola vary depending on your nationality, the purpose of your visit, and the length of your stay. Here is a breakdown of the potential costs:

Visa Costs

If you are a citizen of one of the countries that can travel to Angola without a visa, you will not incur any visa costs. Fourteen African nations, 11 Asian countries, 35 European nations, several countries in the Americas and Caribbean, and 14 countries in Oceania are on the visa-exempt list. However, if you are not a citizen of a visa-exempt country, you will need to obtain a visa. The cost of an Angola Visa on Arrival is USD 120 or €110.84, which must be paid in cash upon arrival. This visa serves as both a business visa and a tourist e-Visa. Alternatively, you can apply for a visa in advance through an Angolan diplomatic mission or online.

Passport Requirements

Regardless of your nationality, your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your arrival in Angola and have at least two blank pages. Failing to meet these requirements may result in denied entry.

Vaccination Costs

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for entering Angola. However, there is a risk of yellow fever transmission in the country. If you are travelling onwards to certain countries, such as South Africa, you will need a certificate of yellow fever vaccination. Other recommended vaccinations are outlined in TravelHealthPro's Angola guide.

Currency Declaration

When entering or exiting Angola, you must declare cash or traveller's cheques if the value is USD 5,000 or more (USD 10,000 if you are a resident). Amounts over this limit may be confiscated. You will receive a certified declaration upon entry, showing the amount you brought into the country.

Overstaying Your Visa

Overstaying your visa can result in significant fines. You may be fined 15,000 Angolan Kwanzas per day for overstaying your visa. Legal action may be taken, including detention, deportation, or being barred from re-entering Angola.

What are the rules for US citizens?

US citizens travelling to Angola for tourism can stay for up to 30 days at a time, with no visa required (90 days total per calendar year). However, if you are travelling for any other reason, including work, you must obtain a visa or visa pre-approval before travelling to Angola.

To enter Angola with a work visa, you must:

• Apply for the visa at the nearest Angolan Embassy or Consulate, or through the Angolan Migration Service's (SME) site.
• Have a valid passport for at least the planned duration of your stay.
• Have a return ticket.
• Have a letter of invitation from the company you will be working for, including the company's contact details and the duration of your stay.
• Have a contract or job offer in your name.
• Have a labour contract signed by your employer and a representative from the Angolan Ministry of Planning and Development.
• Have a labour contract that includes your term of employment, position, work location, salary, date of employment, and date of termination.
• Have a labour contract written in Portuguese.
• Have a valid vaccination record, including confirmation of vaccination from an international health authority.
• Have proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Angola.
• Have a completed visa application form.
• Have proof of payment for the visa.
• Have a record of your accommodations.
• Have contact information, identification, and evidence of nationality.

The process of obtaining a visa for Angola can be frustrating and time-consuming, so it is important to plan ahead and ensure you have all the necessary documentation.

What are the rules for UK citizens?

Firstly, you must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in Angola, with at least two blank pages.

Secondly, you must obtain a work visa in advance of your arrival in Angola. This can be done through an online application, which should take less than five minutes to complete. The visa is typically approved within one to three business days and is valid for 120 days, allowing a stay of up to 30 days, which can be extended twice for the same period. The cost of the visa is 36,600.00 KZ or $120.00, payable at the point of entry.

It is important to note that if you do not have a valid visa, or if you have the wrong type of visa, you may be stopped from boarding your flight or detained at the airport upon arrival in Angola. The deportation process in Angola can be lengthy.

In addition to the visa, there are several other requirements and recommendations for UK citizens travelling to Angola. Here are some key points to be aware of:

• It is recommended that you have a certified copy of your passport and visa, and keep the original documents in a secure location.
• You must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate upon arrival. Other vaccinations are also recommended by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
• There are strict rules about the goods you can take into and out of Angola. You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.
• For currency, you must declare cash or traveller's cheques over $5,000 (or the equivalent in another currency). You cannot take out more than this amount, or its equivalent, in any foreign currency. You can take up to 50,000 kwanzas in addition to the foreign currency.
• Angola has a risk of violent crime, so it is important to take precautions such as avoiding walking alone at night and not displaying valuable items.
• Landmines are a risk outside major cities, especially in the southern provinces.
• It is recommended to arrange reliable ground transportation from the airport in advance.
• There may be issues with payment of salaries to foreign employees, as Angolan companies often have trouble transferring funds to foreign bank accounts.

Frequently asked questions