Angola Work Visa: How Long For Approval?

If you are planning to work in Angola for 6 months, you will need to apply for a work visa. This visa is issued to foreign citizens who are willing to work in the country and is valid for the length of an employment agreement. The visa is typically processed within 15 days but can take up to two to three months. The cost of the visa is around $100 and it must be obtained from an Angolan consulate. To apply for a work visa in Angola, you will need to submit a variety of documents, including a letter from the company requesting the visa, academic and professional certificates, a work contract, and more. It is important to note that all documents must be translated into Portuguese and legalized by a public notary. Additionally, you will need to have a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your intended stay in Angola.

Work visa requirements

To obtain a work visa for Angola, you must meet the following requirements:

• All applicants must have a work contract from a company registered in Angola.
• The visa is only valid for the professional activity outlined in the work contract.
• The visa allows individuals to stay in the country for up to 12 months and can be extended twice with multiple entries.
• The visa is valid for a minimum of three months and a maximum of 36 months.
• The visa costs around $100 and must be reapplied for once it expires.

Specific Visa Types

There are different types of work visas depending on the sector:

• Type C: For foreign nationals in the petroleum industry or civil construction.
• Type D: For anyone entering the commercial, industrial, or fishing sectors.

Required Documents

When applying for a work visa, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A completed visa application form.
• A letter addressed to the Embassy.
• A photocopy of the applicant's passport.
• Two passport-size photos.
• A declaration that the applicant will abide by Angola's laws.
• Proof that the applicant has no family ties to individuals living in the country.
• An employment contract.
• A criminal record check from the applicant's country of residence.
• A medical certificate from an official health institution in the applicant's country of residence.
• Academic and professional certificates.
• Proof of the company's legal status in Angola.

All documents must be translated into Portuguese by an official translator and legalized by a public notary, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, or an Angolan embassy.

Work visa application process

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

Before starting the visa application process, it's important to ensure that you meet the eligibility criteria for a work visa in Angola. All foreign nationals seeking employment in Angola must obtain a work visa and a work permit. The work visa is issued based on the work contract and is valid only for the professional activity outlined in the contract.

Step 2: Prepare Required Documents

The following documents are typically required for a work visa application:

• Completed visa application form
• Valid passport with at least six months' validity beyond the intended stay
• Recent passport-sized photographs
• Proof of travel itinerary, such as flight reservations
• Proof of accommodation arrangements in Angola
• Proof of sufficient funds to cover your stay
• Invitation letter or supporting documents, such as an employment contract
• Medical certificate and Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
• Criminal record check from your country of residence
• Academic and professional certificates
• Proof of your company's legal status in Angola

All documents must be translated into Portuguese and legalized by a public notary, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, or the Angolan embassy.

Step 3: Submit Application

The work visa application should be submitted to an Angolan consulate. The processing time for work visas can vary, but it typically takes about two to three months. The law states that work visas should be issued within 15 days, but this timeframe is often not met.

Step 4: Pay the Visa Fee

The cost of a work visa for Angola is usually around $100. This fee is paid once the visa application has been approved.

Step 5: Obtain Residence Permit

Depending on the length of your stay in Angola, you may also need to obtain a residence permit. If you are staying for five years or less, you will need a temporary residence permit, which is valid for one to three years. For stays of 10 or more consecutive years, a permanent residence permit is required.

Work visa processing time

The work visa processing time for Angola is not explicitly stated, but it is mentioned that the law states that all work permits and working visas must be issued within 15 days. However, authorities often take about two to three months to process. The work visa is valid for the length of the employment agreement, with a minimum of three months and a maximum of 36 months.

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Firstly, you will need to gather all the necessary documents for your work visa application. These documents include:

• A letter addressed to the Embassy of Angola.
• A completed visa application form.
• A photocopy of your passport.
• Two passport-sized photographs.
• A declaration stating that you will abide by Angolan laws.
• Proof that you have no family ties to individuals living in Angola.
• An employment contract or promise of employment.
• A criminal record check from your country of residence.
• A medical certificate from an official health institution in your country of residence.
• Academic and professional certificates.
• Proof of your company's legal status in Angola.

All documents must be translated into Portuguese by an official translator and legalized by a public notary, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, or the Angolan Embassy.

Step 2: Apply for the Visa

After you have gathered all the required documents, you need to submit your application to an Angolan consulate or embassy. The processing time can vary, so it is advisable to apply well in advance of your intended travel dates. The cost of a work visa is typically around $100.

Step 3: Receive Visa

Once your application has been approved, you will receive your work visa. The visa will be valid for the duration of your employment contract, with a minimum of three months and a maximum of 36 months. If you plan to stay in Angola for more than five years consecutively, you will need to apply for a permanent residence permit.

Work visa validity

Work Visa Requirements

All foreign nationals coming to Angola for work must obtain a work visa and a work permit. Work visas are valid for a maximum of 12 months and can be extended twice with multiple entries. The visa is only valid for the professional activity outlined in the work contract. The type of work visa required varies based on the industry. For example, foreign nationals in the petroleum industry or civil construction should apply for a type C work visa, and anyone entering the commercial, industrial, or fishing sectors needs a type D work visa.

Work Visa Application Process

To apply for an Angolan work visa, you must submit the following documents:

• A completed visa application form
• A letter addressed to the Embassy of Angola
• A photocopy of the applicant's passport
• Two passport-sized photos
• A declaration that the applicant will abide by Angolan laws
• Proof that the applicant has no family ties to individuals living in the country
• An employment contract
• A criminal record check from the applicant's country of residence
• A medical certificate from an official health institution in the applicant's country of residence
• Academic and professional certificates
• Proof of the company's legal status in Angola

All documents must be translated into Portuguese and legalized by a public notary, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, or an Angolan embassy.

Work Visa Processing Time and Cost

The law states that all Angolan work permits and visas must be issued within 15 days, but authorities often take about two to three months. Work visas typically cost around $100 and are valid for the length of the employment agreement, with a minimum of three months and a maximum of 36 months. Employees will need to re-apply once their visa expires.

Residence Permit

In addition to a work visa, foreign nationals staying in Angola for an extended period may require a temporary or permanent residence permit, depending on the duration of their stay. Those staying for five years or less can obtain a temporary residence permit that is valid for one to three years. Living in Angola for ten or more consecutive years requires a permanent residence permit.

Work visa renewal

Overview

Angola work visas are typically issued to overseas professionals and technicians who want to contribute their skills to the country's developing economy, particularly in sectors such as oil, diamond production, mining, and national reconstruction. The visa is granted for one year with the possibility of two extensions, each for one year, making a total validity of three years.

Renewal Process

The renewal process for an Angolan work visa is typically done annually and can be done through a variety of methods, including online. The standard renewal process involves a fee and can take anywhere from one to two months to process, depending on how quickly you submit your application. It is important to note that if you do not renew your visa, you will need to leave the country and obtain a new visa to return to Angola.

Required Documents

To renew your Angolan work visa, you will need to submit the following documents:

• Certification of residence
• International vaccine certificate proof (fully vaccinated)
• Proof of accommodation
• Copy of all relevant documents (e.g., passport, visa, etc.)

Additionally, you may be required to provide other documents, such as:

• A letter from the contracting company in Angola
• Academic and professional certificates
• Criminal background check
• Medical certificate
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Invitation letter or supporting documents, depending on the visa type

All documents must be translated into Portuguese and endorsed by the Angolan embassy before being attached to the visa application.

Processing Time

The Angolan government states that work permits and visas must be issued within 15 days. However, in practice, the process can take around two to three months.

Other Considerations

• Work visas are bound to a specific employer, and employees are not allowed to deviate from the employment purpose for which the visa was issued.
• Foreign employees can bring their families to Angola with them by applying for a Temporary Stay Visa.
• Angolan permanent residence is not provided for holders of the work visa.
• Work visas are only valid for the professional activity outlined in the work contract.

Frequently asked questions