Gaining Angolan Citizenship: A Comprehensive Guide

Angolan nationality law is regulated by the Constitution of Angola, the Nationality Act, and various international agreements. There are three ways to gain citizenship: by birth, descent, or naturalisation. Birth within Angola does not automatically confer citizenship unless the child is born to unknown or stateless parents. Children born outside of Angola to at least one Angolan parent are also eligible for citizenship. Foreign nationals who marry Angolan citizens may also apply for citizenship, and it is possible to gain citizenship through naturalisation after ten years of residence.

Marriage to an Angolan citizen

If you are a foreigner seeking to marry an Angolan citizen, you must demonstrate to Angolan officials that you are not currently married to anyone else. This is done by providing various documents, including an Affidavit of Single Status, to the Angolan government either in Angola or via an Angolan embassy. You must also prove your identity and that you have never committed any crimes in Angola.

If you are a Canadian citizen seeking to marry an Angolan citizen, you will need to put the following documents in place:

• Residence Certificate (Atestado de Residencia) issued by the local authorities and a valid US passport
• ID or Residence Card
• Affidavit of eligibility to marry or statement (Capacidade Matrimonial)

The couple must be present in one of the Vital Record Offices in Angola (Conservatória de Registo Civil) and have 10 stamps of 10 kz each.

The following documents must be authenticated before they can be accepted:

• Birth Certificate (Certified copy)
• Valid Canadian passport (Certified copy)
• Affidavit of eligibility to marry or statement (Canadian citizen must sign it before the Consular Officer)

Notarial fees cost $30 per service (in cash only). Canadian documents need to be translated into Portuguese by local translators (not by the consulate) and certified by the Consular Officer.

The marriage ceremony to an Angolan citizen can legally take place in Angola, Canada, or any other country as long as both parties have the necessary visas to enter this country legally. This marriage can then be recognized when applying for permanent residence or a visitor visa for your Angolan spouse.

Angolan Citizenship by Marriage

A foreign national who marries an Angolan citizen may apply for citizenship after marriage. A foreign spouse who obtains Angolan citizenship upon marriage may keep their citizenship in the event of a divorce or annulment if the marriage was entered into in good faith.

To become a naturalized Angolan citizen, you must fulfill the following conditions:

• Be of legal age (18)
• Have resided in Angola for at least 10 years collectively
• Have an established means of support or livelihood
• Be capable of integrating into Angolan society

Angolan citizenship by descent

To obtain citizenship by descent, the birth must be registered at the Angolan Central Registry Office, and proof of the parents' nationality must be provided. This can be done by presenting the parents' birth registration or identity card. If the child was born outside of Angola, a declaration may also be required to be made before consular officials.

It's important to note that Angolan nationality law distinguishes between attribution and acquisition of nationality. Attribution refers to automatic nationality from birth, while acquisition refers to obtaining nationality later in life. Those who obtain Angolan citizenship by descent through the acquisition process may need to meet certain requirements, such as demonstrating good character, the ability to integrate into Angolan society, and a lack of a serious criminal record.

Angolan citizenship by birth

Firstly, births must be registered with the Angolan Central Registry Office. This applies to both children born in Angola and those born abroad. In the latter case, a declaration made before consular officials may also be required. This is an important step to ensure the child's citizenship status is recognised.

Secondly, proof of the parents' nationality must be provided. This can be done by presenting the parents' birth registration documents or identity cards. If the parents are of Angolan nationality, the child will automatically be granted Angolan citizenship, regardless of the country of birth. This is in accordance with the principle of jus sanguinis, which means "right of blood" and is the basis for Angolan nationality law.

It is important to note that birth within the Republic of Angola does not automatically confer citizenship, except in the case of a child born to unknown or stateless parents. In this case, the child would be considered an Angolan citizen.

Additionally, according to the 2010 Constitution, Angola recognises the right to hold dual nationality. This means that a child born abroad to Angolan parents can retain dual citizenship until the age of 18, at which point they must choose one citizenship.

Finally, Angolan citizenship by birth cannot be revoked. Once an individual is attributed nationality at birth, they cannot be deprived of it. They do, however, have the option to voluntarily renounce their Angolan citizenship, but this must be officially recorded in the Central Registry Office, and proof of new citizenship is required.

Angolan citizenship by naturalisation

Angolan citizenship can be obtained through birth or naturalisation. Naturalisation is the process by which permanent residents who have lived in the country for a given period of time can acquire citizenship. Here is what you need to know about acquiring Angolan citizenship by naturalisation:

Requirements for Naturalisation

According to Angolan law, applicants for naturalisation must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years old, the age of majority in Angola.
• Have resided in Angola for at least 10 years.
• Have a means of support or livelihood and be self-sufficient.
• Be capable of integrating into Angolan society, demonstrating "moral and civic" guarantees.
• Have no serious criminal record with penalties exceeding three years.
• Demonstrate knowledge of Angolan civics, adequate ability in Portuguese, and understanding of cultural and societal norms.

Procedures for Naturalisation

There are three procedures through which naturalisation can be granted to foreign citizens:

• National Assembly: The National Assembly can grant citizenship if the applicant has demonstrated exceptional professional, scientific, or artistic qualities in their service or potential service to the nation.
• Angolan Government: With the consent of the National Assembly, the Angolan government can grant citizenship to individuals who have rendered or are expected to render exceptional services to the nation in professional, scientific, or artistic fields.
• Council of Ministers: Applicants can apply to the Council of Ministers if they meet the residency, self-sufficiency, and integration requirements outlined above.

Additional Considerations

It is important to note that the process of acquiring Angolan citizenship by naturalisation has become more challenging in recent years, especially for foreigners born in Angola before independence and their descendants. This change was implemented to address the increasing number of Portuguese citizens who were reacquiring Angolan nationality to circumvent immigration controls.

Furthermore, Angola allows for dual nationality, recognising that individuals may hold citizenship in multiple countries due to international agreements or other circumstances. However, when in Angola, citizens are expected to abide by the laws and rights associated with Angolan nationality, regardless of other nationalities they may hold.

Angolan citizenship for stateless persons

Stateless persons can acquire Angolan nationality through naturalisation. The process involves fulfilling specific conditions, including demonstrating extended residence in Angola for at least ten years, providing proof of self-sufficiency, and offering a 'moral and civic' guarantee of integration into Angolan society.

The Angolan government, with the consent of the National Assembly, can grant citizenship to stateless individuals who have rendered or have the potential to render exceptional services to the nation in a professional, scientific, or artistic capacity. This route to citizenship bypasses the standard naturalisation requirements.

Additionally, under the Nationality Act, stateless persons who have no other nationality can apply for naturalisation without meeting the general criteria. This provision specifically caters to stateless individuals, allowing them to bypass the standard requirements, such as the ten-year residency condition.

It is important to note that the laws and procedures regarding Angolan citizenship may be subject to change, and consulting official sources and legal advice is essential for obtaining accurate and up-to-date information.

Frequently asked questions