Finding Work In Angola: A Guide

Angola's economy is largely driven by the oil and gas sector, which accounts for 97% of the country's exports. As a result, there are numerous opportunities for highly skilled professionals in this industry. The telecommunications sector is also on the rise, and there is a demand for skilled engineers. The official language of Angola is Portuguese, and it is beneficial to have some proficiency in this language when seeking employment in the country. There are several job websites that cater specifically to the oil and gas industry, such as Rigzone and oilandgasjobsearch.com. Additionally, general job search engines like Bayt, Career Jet UK, and LinkedIn can be useful for finding employment opportunities in Angola. It is recommended to obtain a job offer before relocating to Angola, and to understand the associated visa requirements.

Oil and gas industry jobs

Angola's economy is largely driven by the oil and gas sector, which accounts for 97% of the country's exports. As a result, there is a high demand for highly skilled professionals in this industry.

When looking for a job in the oil and gas industry in Angola, it is recommended to start by searching for job openings on websites such as Rigzone.com, oilandgasjobsearch.com, and careersinafrica.com. These websites regularly advertise positions based in Angola that you can apply for. It is advantageous if you have any Portuguese language skills, as this is the local language.

There are a variety of roles available in the oil and gas industry in Angola, including:

• Field Ops Mechanical Engineer
• Site Mechanic Supervisor
• Entry-level and senior Field Engineers
• Finance & Admin Manager
• Electrical/Mechanical Technician
• Mooring Engineer
• Control System Engineer
• Drilling & Completion Supervisor
• Offshore Cargo Operator
• Naval Architecture Engineer
• ICSS Specialist

When moving to Angola, it is advisable to secure a job offer beforehand, as it can be challenging for foreigners to find employment once they are already in the country. It is also important to understand the healthcare and security packages included in your offer, as well as the income taxation system in Angola.

Job search websites

There are a number of job search websites that can help you find work in Angola. Here are some of the most prominent ones:

Rigzone.com

Rigzone.com is a job search website that regularly advertises positions based in Angola, particularly in the oil industry. Given that oil constitutes more than 90% of the country's export revenue, this website can be a great place to start your job search.

Oilandgasjobsearch.com

As the name suggests, this website is dedicated to jobs in the oil and gas industry. It is another good option for finding employment opportunities in Angola, given the country's heavy reliance on this sector.

Careersinafrica.com

This website offers a range of opportunities in Angola and provides key information for expatriates. It also highlights the telecommunications sector as an emerging industry in the country.

LinkedIn.com

LinkedIn is a well-known professional networking platform that often features job postings from various industries. You can use the search function to look for jobs specifically in Angola.

Jobboardfinder.com

Jobboardfinder.com is a website that provides a list of the best job sites in Angola. It offers a comprehensive overview of different job boards, allowing you to find the one that suits your specific needs and preferences.

English teaching jobs

Requirements

To be eligible for an English teaching job in Angola, you will need to meet certain requirements, including:

• Being a native English speaker.
• Holding a Bachelor's degree in Teaching or a related field. Some positions may require a Master's degree.
• Having a minimum of two years of stable teaching experience.
• Being trained in a Western country, such as the USA, Canada, the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa.
• Providing a CV and, in some cases, a photo.

Skills

In addition to the above, it is advantageous to have:

• International experience.
• Experience in special educational needs (SEN) teaching.
• Experience with the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
• Strong classroom management skills.
• A range of effective teaching strategies.

Salary and Benefits

Salaries for English teachers in Angola can range from USD 4,500 per month and above, depending on qualifications and experience. Additionally, these positions often come with a range of benefits, such as:

• Rent allowance.
• Lunch allowance.
• Baggage allowance.
• Health insurance.
• Free meals and transportation.
• Free tuition fees.

Job Search Websites

When searching for English teaching jobs in Angola, there are several websites you can explore:

• SeekTeachers.com.
• CareersinAfrica.com.
• Oilandgasjobsearch.com.
• Rigzone.com.

Visa Requirements

As a foreign employee in Angola, you will need to obtain a work visa from an Angolan consulate before entering the country. This process requires a significant amount of documentation, and all documents must be translated into Portuguese and legalized by the appropriate authorities.

Work visas

The Angolan work visa is a temporary 1-year visa for overseas professionals and technicians who want to work in Angola's developing economy, particularly in booming sectors such as oil and diamond production, mining, and national reconstruction. The visa is granted for 1 year and can be extended twice, for a total of 3 years.

Eligibility Criteria and Requirements

Both the hiring Angolan company and the foreigner are assessed as part of the application process. The criteria and requirements are as follows:

• The foreigner's passport must be valid for at least 12 months.
• The foreigner must be in good health, verified by a medical report and vaccination certificate.
• The foreigner must have an employment contract with a well-established Angola-based firm.
• The foreigner must not have a criminal record (a police clearance is required).
• The hiring firm must be registered and well-established, as well as a diligent taxpayer.
• The foreigner must have relevant job experience and educational qualifications.

Application Process

The hiring Angolan company and the foreign employee must provide various documents for the application.

The hiring company must provide:

• A letter of invitation stating the purpose of the foreigner's arrival, the term and place of stay, and guaranteeing financial responsibility for the employee.
• A contract for temporary employment, signed by the employer, specifying the job position and duration of employment.
• A copy of the company's business license and the latest proof of tax payment.
• A copy of the Republic Daily page that testifies to the establishment of the company.

The foreign employee must provide:

• A visa application form.
• A declaration of obeying Angola's current laws.
• A copy of the main pages of their passport.
• A copy of their yellow fever certificate.
• Educational qualifications (diplomas/degrees/certificates).
• A professional license or certificate, if applicable.
• A medical certificate from their country of origin.

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. It is recommended to carefully review Angola's criteria for submitted papers, as some must be endorsed by the country's embassy before being attached to the application. The process usually takes 2-3 months, and after issuance, the visa holder must enter Angola within 60 days.

Income tax

Angola's income tax system means that your employer will deduct a monthly amount. However, there is also a yearly tax, so it may be worth speaking to a local advisor. Anything you earn in Angola can be taxed and it is calculated on a sliding scale from 0% to 25% of your monthly earnings. Typically, expats' tax amounts will fall into the higher category as their wages are in the highest band.

If you are arranging a job beforehand, it may be worth speaking to your employer about tax equalization clauses to be included in your contract, as this would balance the rate of tax you pay in Angola with that of your native country.

The Personal Income Tax (PIT) Code foresees the segmentation of income into three groups:

• Group A: Generally applicable to the income earned by employees.
• Group B: Income earned by self-employed workers.
• Group C: Income earned by individuals carrying out an industrial or commercial activity listed in the minimum profits table in force, attached to the PIT Code.

Group B and C taxpayers are subject to PIT in line with the regime provided for business and professional income. Group A has progressive income tax rates up to 25%.

Angola also levies a consumption tax, which operates as an excise tax and a sales tax on the supply and import of goods and services in the country. The standard rate is 10%, with a reduced rate of 2% on essential foods and medical supplies. Increased rates of 20% and 30% apply to certain luxury items.

Frequently asked questions