Americans: Angola Visa Application Challenges

American citizens do not need a tourist visa to enter Angola for stays of up to 30 days at a time (90 days total per calendar year). However, if travelling for work, study, or business, a visa must be obtained in advance. This can be done online and typically takes 1-3 business days for approval. The cost of the visa is USD 120.00, and it is valid for 120 days, allowing a stay of up to 30 days, which can be extended twice for the same period.

Tourist visa requirements for Americans

US citizens travelling to Angola for tourism are eligible for visa-free entry for stays of up to 30 days at a time (90 days total per calendar year). However, they must present the following upon arrival:

A passport which is valid for at least the planned duration of their stay within Angola.

If US citizens are travelling to Angola for reasons other than tourism, including work, temporary residency, study, or medical treatment, they must apply for the appropriate visa at the nearest Angolan Embassy or Consulate or through the Angolan Migration Service’s (Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros, SME) site for visas and visa pre-approval.

For a tourist visa, the following requirements must be met:

• Visa Application Form: Fill out the application form, which must be duly completed in print or typed, in black ink and signed by the applicant or requester.
• Letter Addressed to the Embassy of Angola: This letter must be notarized and include the reason for your visit, purpose of the visit, date of arrival and departure, hotel stay, and places to visit.
• Copy of Yellow Fever Vaccination Card: Although yellow fever vaccination is no longer required for US citizens, a copy of the vaccination card must be provided for the tourist visa.
• Itinerary to Angola with a Return Ticket: A confirmed itinerary with a return ticket is required.
• Passport: Provide one recent colour passport-sized photo, as well as the original and photocopy of the passport, including the main pages and those containing information on migratory movements. The passport must be valid for at least six months and have two available pages.
• Bank Statement: Provide a bank statement as a guarantee of means of subsistence, equivalent to US$200 per day of stay in Angola.
• Processing Fee: A non-refundable processing fee of $70.00 per applicant must be paid by money order to the Embassy of Angola.
• Processing Time: The standard processing time is 5-8 business days, and expediting is not accepted.
• Additional Documents: In some cases, extra documents may be requested to support the visa request.

Business visa requirements for Americans

Obtaining an Angolan visa as an American citizen is a relatively straightforward process, but it requires careful preparation and adherence to the necessary requirements. Here are the essential business visa requirements for Americans:

Visa Application Form:

Fill out the visa application form completely and accurately. The form should be printed or typed in black ink, duly signed by the applicant, and accompanied by a recent color passport-sized photo glued to the application.

Passport:

Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in Angola. Provide the original passport and a photocopy of the main pages, including those with information on migratory movements.

Letter of Invitation:

Address a letter to the Embassy of Angola, Consular Section, explaining the purpose of your visit. This letter must be notarized by a notary in Angola. It should include details such as the reason for your visit, dates of arrival and departure, hotel accommodations, and places you plan to visit.

Business Documentation:

Provide evidence of your business activities in Angola. This includes a letter from the private company sponsoring your visa, authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola (MIREX). Additionally, you will need to submit documentation related to the legal establishment of the company, business permits, and evidence of payment of current taxes.

Financial Requirements:

Submit a bank statement demonstrating that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Angola. The amount required is US$200 per day of your stay, as per Article 19(1) of Law 2/07 of 31 August.

Health Requirements:

Obtain a yellow fever vaccination and carry the vaccination card with you. It is also recommended to consult the CDC website for Angola to ensure you have the necessary vaccinations and health precautions in place.

Processing Fee and Time:

The processing fee for a business visa is $100 per applicant, payable by money order to the Embassy of Angola. The processing time is typically 5-8 business days, and expediting is not accepted.

Additional Considerations:

• Ensure your application package is complete and accurate. In some cases, the Embassy may request additional documents to support your visa request.
• Choose a reliable delivery service, such as FedEx, for submitting your application and include a prepaid return envelope.
• Be prepared for a potential visa interview, where you will need to clearly explain your travel plans and intentions.
• Stay updated with the latest travel advisories and safety information for Angola.

By carefully following these requirements and allowing sufficient time for processing, American citizens can obtain an Angolan business visa and facilitate their travel for business purposes.

Work visa requirements for Americans

Obtaining a work visa for Angola as an American citizen is a detailed process with specific requirements. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Visa Application Form:

Fill out the visa application form completely, either by hand in black ink or through typing/printing. Be sure to sign the form.

Letter of Request:

Address a letter to the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola, requesting the work visa. This letter should include information such as the purpose of your visit, your itinerary, and the duration of your stay. The letter must be notarized.

Sponsoring Company Letter:

Provide a letter from the contracting company based in Angola that is sponsoring your visa. This letter should be addressed to the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola, with a copy sent to the Migration and Foreigners Service. It should include information about the work contract or employee lease agreement. This letter must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola (MIREX).

Academic and Professional Certificates:

Submit academic and professional certificates, translated into Portuguese and authenticated by a notary and the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola.

Criminal Background Check:

Provide a criminal background check, issued by the authorities in your country of residence or origin. This document must also be translated into Portuguese and authenticated by a notary and the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola.

Medical Certificate:

Obtain a medical certificate from your country of origin, translated into Portuguese and authenticated by a notary and the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola.

Yellow Fever Vaccination Card:

Ensure you have a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination Card. While this was previously a requirement for US citizens, it is still recommended to carry it with you.

Statement of Respect for Angolan Laws:

Include a statement in which you pledge to respect Angolan laws during your stay.

Work Contract or Promise of Employment:

Provide a copy of your work contract or promise of employment.

Curriculum Vitae:

Submit your Curriculum Vitae, translated into Portuguese and authenticated by a notary and the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola.

Passport and Photographs:

Provide your original passport, valid for at least six months, along with photocopies of the main pages and those containing information on migratory movements. Additionally, glue one recent color passport-sized photograph to the application and include two additional photographs with your submission.

Diário da República:

Submit the Diário da República (Official Gazette of the Republic), publishing the company's by-laws.

Tax Payment Evidence:

Provide current evidence of payment of tax obligations by the sponsoring company.

Processing Fee:

Pay the non-refundable processing fee of $250.00 per applicant. Payments must be made by money order to the Embassy of Angola.

Translation and Authentication:

Note that all documents must be translated into Portuguese and authenticated by the Department of State. Additional fees may apply.

Delivery Method:

Choose EXPRESS DELIVER (only E Labels from FedEx) for sending your application and receiving a response. Do not use home/ground delivery as FedEx will not pick up packages with those labels from the Embassy. Ensure that the Embassy of Angola is listed as the sender on the prepaid return envelope.

Please note that the Embassy of Angola may request additional documents to support your visa application. The processing time is approximately 5-8 business days, and expediting is not accepted.

Study visa requirements for Americans

To obtain a student visa for Angola, American citizens must submit the following documents:

• A completed visa application form, signed by the applicant or requester.
• A letter or request addressed to the Consular and Diplomatic Mission of Angola.
• A criminal background check issued by the authorities of the country of origin or residence, translated and authenticated.
• A medical certificate from the country of origin, translated and authenticated.
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay in Angola.
• Three recent, passport-sized photos.
• A valid passport with two blank pages and a minimum of six months' validity beyond your intended stay.
• Proof of enrollment in a learning institution or guarantee of attendance from the institution.
• Evidence of the awarding of an academic degree or recognition of the scientific interest of research work, if applicable.
• Internship program or training contract, if applicable.
• Proof of payment of the immigration act requested.
• Payment of $150.

Please note that all documents must be translated into Portuguese and authenticated by the Department of State. In some cases, additional documents may be requested to support the visa application.

The processing time for a student visa may vary, and expediting is not accepted. It is important to plan and apply for the visa well in advance of your intended travel date.

Visa application process for Americans

The visa application process for US citizens travelling to Angola involves several steps and requirements. Here is a detailed guide to help you navigate the process:

Step 1: Determine the Type of Visa

The first step is to determine the type of visa you need. Angola offers various visa categories, including tourist visas, business visas, work visas, student visas, and more. Choose the one that aligns with your purpose of travel.

Step 2: Gather Required Documents

Once you know the type of visa you need, it's time to gather the necessary documents. The specific documents required may vary depending on the visa type, but here is a general list:

• Visa Application Form: Fill out the application form completely, either by hand in black ink or typed, and sign it.
• Letter of Invitation or Sponsorship: If you are invited by an Angolan citizen, permanent resident, or private company, you will need a letter addressed to the Embassy of Angola, Consular Section. This letter must be authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola (MIREX).
• Passport: Provide the original passport and a photocopy of the main pages and those containing information on migratory movements. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and have at least two blank pages.
• Yellow Fever Vaccination Card: Angola requires proof of yellow fever vaccination for all visitors.
• Itinerary and Proof of Accommodation: Provide your travel itinerary and proof of accommodation, such as a copy of your hotel reservation.
• Bank Statement: You must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover your expenses during your stay in Angola. The required amount is US$200 per day of your stay.
• Photos: Include one or more recent passport-sized colour photos, which must be glued to the application.
• Processing Fee: The processing fee varies depending on the type of visa and must be paid by money order to the Embassy of Angola. The fees are non-refundable.

Step 3: Submit the Application

After gathering all the required documents, submit your application to the Embassy of Angola, Consular Section, at the following address:

2100-2108 16th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

The standard processing time for Angola visas is 5-8 business days. Expediting services are not available, so plan your application accordingly.

Step 5: Receive Your Visa

If your application is approved, you will receive your visa from the Embassy of Angola. Keep in mind that visa processing times may vary, and additional documents may be requested to support your visa request.

Additional Considerations:

• Ensure that you choose the correct delivery method when sending and receiving documents from the Embassy of Angola. FedEx will not pick up packages with home/ground delivery labels.
• Always choose EXPRESS DELIVER (only E Labels) for a faster and smoother delivery process.
• The Embassy of Angola must be listed as the sender on the prepaid return envelope.

In summary, the visa application process for Americans travelling to Angola involves choosing the appropriate visa type, gathering the required documents, submitting the application to the Embassy of Angola, waiting for processing, and finally, receiving the visa. It is important to plan your travel and visa application in advance and to carefully follow the instructions provided by the Embassy of Angola.

Frequently asked questions