Angola
About
| Angola is re-emerging from decades of civil war, and adventurous travellers are beginning to tentatively discover its Portuguese architecture, miles of stunning coastline and little-visited wildlife parks. Thick forest, elevated plains and forceful rivers define the country's landscape - along with the sands of the Namibe desert. Visitors can search for African wildlife, including the black palanca antelope, a species unique to Angola. A ceasefire was finally achieved in 2002, paving the way for a final political settlement and, in April 2003, the people and government of Angola celebrated their first year of continuous peace for more than a quarter of a century. Although there is still some sporadic fighting, notably between government forces and separatist groups in the oil-rich Cabinda enclave, most of the country has now embarked upon the monumental task of reconstruction. |
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| Capital: | Luanda (LAD) |
| Currency: | Kwanza (AOA) |
| Language: | Portuguese. Several African languages are also spoken. Some French and Spanish is also spoken. |
| Dialling code from SA: | + 244 |
| Time Zones: | UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) |
| Side of the Road: | Right |
| Best Time to Go: | June - September |
| Best for: | Spectacular coastline, National Parks |
| Plugs: | 220 volts AC, 60Hz. Round two-pin plugs are used |
| Drinking Water: | All water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Milk is unpasteurised. |
| Health: | Medical facilities are very limited. It is advisable to carry basic medical supplies. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended and it should include emergency air evacuation coverage. If you require any medication on your travels it is best to bring it with you, in the original packaging, with a signed and dated letter from your doctor detailing exactly what it is and why you need it. |
| Customs: | Normal social courtesies should be observed |
| Local Offences / Laws: | Drug trafficking carries serious penalties. Homosexuality is frowned upon. Permits for photography are required . Passengers arriving drunk at airports may be deported. |
| Travel Tips / Warnings: | Credit cards are not widely accepted, although hotels and restaurants are increasingly accepting them. ATM’s may not accept foreign cards. Check the local political situation before finalising travel plans. Car hire is not easily arranged, and it is best to travel by taxi. Road travel outside of Luanda is not recommended. |
| Duty Free: |
The following items may be imported into Angola without incurring customs duty: Alcohol and tobacco allowances apply to travellers aged 18 and over only. You must declare brand new electronic items. |
| Prohibited Imports: | Firearms, narcotics, diamonds and plants. |
Issuing Authorities
Embassy of the Republic of Angola
1030 Francis Baard Str, Pretoria 0038
Tel: +27 (0)12 342 0049/50
E-mail: visas@angolanembassy.org
Submissions: Mon ,Tues, Wed 09:30 - 12:00
Collections: Wed & Fri 14:30 - 16:00
Consulate-General of Angola
Waterside Place, 15 Zulberg Close, Bruma, 2026
Tel:+27 (0)11 333 2721 / 25
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-12:00
Consulate General of Angola
109 Hertzog Boulevard, Foreshore, Cape Town
Tel:+21 (0)21 425-8700/01
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:30-15:00
The Consulate General of Angola in CPT no longer deals with the public and are using a company called:
PRSJ Visas
Telephone No : 072 229 1965 or 074 012 4652
Address: 201 Stellenvale Building, Santos Street, Rugby, Western Cape, 7441
Email :prsjvisas.2017@gmail.com or prisrabacal@gmail.com
Embassy of the Republic of Angola
54 Mitchel Crescent, Windermere Road
Public Holidays 2025: Jan 1; Feb 3-4; Mar 3-4, 8, 23; Apr 4, 18; May 1-2; Sep 17; Nov 2, 10-11; Dec 25-26
Public Holidays 2026: Jan 1-2; Feb 4, 16-17; Mar 8, 23; Apr 3-4, 18; May 1; Sep 17-18; Nov 2, 11; Dec 25
Visa Requirements
South African Passport Holders travelling to Angola for Tourism Purposes will be issued a Visa on Arrival, valid for 30 days.
Entry visa is granted for a period of ninety (90) days per annum, provided that each visit may not exceed thirty (30) days.
Entry Requirements:
- Original valid passport (plus photocopy), valid for a minimum period of 6 months. Please ensure there are 3 blank pages in the passport plus photocopy of the biodata page.
- 3 months bank statements, showing physical address. If the physical address is not displayed on statement, proof of address must also be shown.
- Copy of return airticket and itinerary as well as hotel booking.
- Yellow Fever certificates are compulsory plus photocopy. The YF must have been administered at least 4 days before entry into Angola.
Children under 18 years :
- Copies of both parents ID or passport.
- Consent letters from both parents, in Portuguese - this is required even if parents are travelling WITH their children.
- Unabridged birth certificates.
- Letter from school acknowledging they will be travelling to Angola, plus dates.
Work Visas:
NOTE: All documents must be translated to Portuguese
- Completed application form
- 2 passport size colour photo (recent) (white background)
- Original valid passport (plus photocopy), valid for a minimum period of 6 months. Please ensure there are 6 blank pages in the passport plus photocopy of the biodata page.
- Applicant`s last 3 months bank statement.
- Invitation letter from the person/company in Angola. Full name of passenger and their passport number and expiry date must be stated. This letter is valid for 30 days.
- Copy of Company in Angola`s Commercial Licence.
- Company or personal letter supporting the visa application from SA must be an original letter and MUST be used within 30 days of it being written otherwise a new invitation letter must be requested from the host company. The invitation letter must have their company stamp on it. All employment letters are to be written in Portuguese by an official translator. This letter must confirm that the company is SA is incurring all costs for the business trip.
- Copy of return airticket and itinerary as well as hotel booking.
- Yellow Fever certificates are compulsory plus photocopy. The YF must have been administered 4 days before entry into Angola.
- Utility bill
- All applicants requesting Visa for Angola need to be physically present for fingerprints .
PRSJ Visas or Consulate of Angola in Cape Town:
Process for submission of visa application to Angola Consulate in Cape Town:
- Invitation letter to be addressed to the Consulate of Angola in Cape Town plus a copy of host's ID to be faxed directly from Angola to the Consulate. (Invitation letter from Angola must be addressed to the Consulate of Angola in Cape Town) plus DOC from the company (Diario da republica or cartao de contribuinte) plus the ID of the person who will be signing the Letter of invitation. This letter from the person/company to be visited in Angola, must state the full name of the passenger and their passport number and expiry date. The signed invitation letter, DOC and copy of ID from Angola must be faxed or emailed directly to the issuing Embassy in Cape Town . The invitation letter must have their company stamp on it, the physical address of person/company in Angola inviting and the email of the person in Angola as well as the telephone number of the person in Angola.Copy of the Angola company registration documents must accompany the invitation letter as well.Check with Consulate if letter has been received and approved.Once the letter is received, travellers are to appear in person at the Consulate for fingerprinting.
Requirements: - Valid passport: valid for a period of 6 months with at least 6 pages for the issuing of the visa and a photocopy of the biodata page
- Copy of return air ticket.
- Visa application forms, duly completed in block letters and black ink. (To be obtained from PRSJ Visas upon submitting fingerprints)
- Original Letter of employment: Company or personal letter supporting the visa application from SA must be an original letter. All letters of employment have to be written in Portuguese by an official translator - someone the consulate suggested, is based in Pinelands, Cape Town and can be contacted on 021 531 6805 Mr Menezes (official translator).
- 2 recent identical passport size colour photograph (with white background)
- Copy of the Commercial Licence/"Alvara Comercial" of the inviting company.
- Most recent 3 months bank statement in passenger’s name. Bank statement must state account holder’s physical address, OR
- Proof of address must be supplied in the form of a utility bill.
Visa Processing Time
Business visas:
5-7 working days excluding day of submission. (JNB)
8-10 working days (PRY)
No emergency visas are issued.
Visa Validity
Depending on application.
SA Representative
South African Embassy,
VIA S14, Condominium Two Villa, Luanda
Tel: +244 222 460 818
E-mail: luanda.dha@dirco.gov.za (Immigration and Civic Affairs)
Travel Health
| Compulsory: | Yellow Fever |
| Recommended Travel Vaccines: | Hepatitis A &B, Rabies, Typhoid, Tetanus & Polio |
| Malaria Risk |
