How to Apply for an Angola Visa in Phoenix

The Republic of Angola – a former Portuguese colony that endured decades of civil strife during the Twentieth Century – has experienced a renaissance over the past 20 years. “Safe and welcoming, this friendly nation transports that laid-back, community-oriented lifestyle of southern Portugal to continental Africa – and travelers are once again discovering its charm,” the World Travel Guide noted (https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/africa/angola).

With 1,000 miles of Atlantic coastline, the southwest African nation beckons Phoenix area travelers with tropical beaches, virgin rainforests, vast plains, savannahs, wetlands, and hardwood forests.  The gleaming skyscrapers of the capital city, Luanda, provide a dramatic counterpoint to the traditional villages that dominate a sprawling country that is over four times the size of Arizona.  

The ancient Kingdom of Kongo comprises most of Angola’s land.  After centuries of Portuguese rule, Angola gained independence in 1975.  However, civil wars that began in the early 1960s lasted until 2002.  Since then, Angola has enjoyed stability as a constitutional republic.  The republic enjoys one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, mainly due to petroleum, diamonds, and other natural resources.  Despite these advantages, most of the country’s 33 million residents live in poverty and the crime rate remains high.  The most common language is Portuguese, but indigenous African languages are also spoke here, including Umbundu, Kikongo, and Kimbundu.  In fact, Angola is the second-largest Portuguese-speaking nation in the world, trailing only Brazil.

Angola is not well-known among Phoenix area tourists, as the government only recently began encouraging tourism.  Most global visitors have traditionally been petroleum executives from Angola’s two main trading partners, China and the United States.  Since 2010, Western-style development has accelerated in Luanda, creating a modern metropolis that stands alongside Colonial-era architecture.  However, with petrodollars driving up prices, Luanda ranks as the most expensive city in the world for travelers and residents alike.  Hotels are notoriously expensive, although prices have moderated somewhat during the pandemic, according to the U.S. International Trade Association (ITA) (https://www.trade.gov/country-commercial-guides/angola-market-challenges).  Western-style housing and offices are also relatively pricey, ITA added. “With its gleaming skyscrapers, grand government buildings, and palm-lined promenades, downtown Luanda’s prosperity probably comes as a revelation to many visitors,” World Travel Guide stated. “But the spoils of Angola’s considerable oil wealth soon give way to unofficial shantytowns, proving that not everyone is benefiting from the black gold rush.” 

Most travelers from Phoenix enter Angola through Luanda, arriving by international flights, overland routes from neighboring countries, or recently introduced cruise ships. “Luanda is a metropolis that connects the region’s colonial past with its bright future,” cruise provider Azamara stated on its website (https://www.azamara.com/luanda-angola-cruises).  Baixa de Luanda (The Old City) features classic colonial buildings along narrow streets.  The Fortress of São Miguel, a UNESCO World Heritage site dating back to 1576, is another popular destination.  Walk the Marginal Promenade for panoramic views of Luanda Bay, and enjoy hearty soups and steaks at restaurants and cafes with picturesque ocean views.  Luanda is also known for its museums and open-air crafts markets.

Outside of Luanda, smaller cities like Namibe and Benguela are still dominated by the art deco architecture of the colonial era.  Mbanza Kongo, the former capital of Kongo, is another UNESCO site that features ancient royal residences alongside Portuguese-built stone buildings.

However, the main driver for Angola tourism is its natural attractions: rivers, waterfalls, beaches, jungles, and plains.  More than 162,000 square kilometers of land are protected by Angolan national parks and preserves, providing homes for lions, elephants, and springboks.  Some remain closed while wildlife decimated by poachers and the lengthy civil war are being reintroduced.  National parks such as Cameia, Cangandala, Iona, and Mupa are excellent destinations for visitors to explore river, mountain, and plains habitats.

Kalandula Falls in Calandula is the second-highest waterfall in Africa.  The humid forests of Cabina provide natural habitat for gorillas.  Another top draw is the Namib Desert, which runs through Angola, Namibia, and South Africa.  Beaches and islands along the coastline range from busy resort areas with bars and discos to remote areas lacking tourist infrastructure.  Popular beaches include Ilha do Cabo, Mussulo, Corimba and Santiago near Luanda; Morena, Baia Azul and Caotina at Benguela; and Azul and Das Miragens in Namibe.  You can also bike along the coast, rent 4x4s at Luanda beaches, and explore the area by train on the new luxury Trail of Two Oceans, which runs from Dar Es Salaam in Tanzania to Lobito, Angola.  Wildlife safaris, boat rentals, sport fishing, and camping are also common activities.

Requirements for Obtaining an Angolan Visa

Citizens of the United States and most other countries are required to obtain a visa before visiting Angola. Americans traveling to Angola for tourism purposes can now stay up to 30 days without a visa. The main requirements for eligibility include holding a current passport and providing proof of vaccination against yellow fever.  Other vaccinations may also be recommended depending on what part of Angola you visit.  See current travel advisories from the U.S. State Department at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories/angola-travel-advisory.html.

The Republic of Angola offers both the traditional paper visa and online electronic visa (e-Visa) for tourists, businesspeople, students, and other visitors.  The tourist visa is valid for 60 days after issuance.  It can be used for multiple entries over a 30-day period and can be extended for another 30 days.

The basic requirements are:

  • Passport valid at least six months beyond your date of entry to Angola.  Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
  • A recent passport-style photograph.
  • Yellow fever documentation (“yellow card”).
  • Documentation of return air travel.  Hotel reservation (or invitation letter, if staying with friends or family).
  • Proof of livelihood.

 

How to Obtain an Angola E-Visa from Phoenix

The easiest way for Phoenix area tourists and businesspeople to visit Angola is by obtaining an electronic visa from the republic’s Migration and Foreigners Service (SME).  The e-Visa basically provides pre-approval to receive your visa stamp when you enter the country.  The e-Visa can be used for both tourism and business visits.  Detailed information is available at https://angola.org/online-visa/, while the visa application can be found at http://www.smevisa.gov.ao/.

It takes about five minutes to complete the online application.  You will also need to submit these scanned documents with your application:

  • Passport valid for at least six months with a minimum of two blank pages.
  • A recent passport-style photograph.
  • Documentation of return air travel arrangements and hotel reservation.
  • Proof of livelihood.

Standard processing time for the Angola e-visa is six business days.  You will receive approval by return email.  Bring the approval documentation and your passport when you arrive in Angola and present them to receive your visa stamp.  You also must pay a $120 visa fee upon arrival.

How to Obtain a Traditional Angolan Visa from Phoenix

You can obtain a paper visa through the Angolan embassy in the United States or at the regional consulate responsible for the region where you live.  Residents of Arizona and most states in the Southeast and Southwest should contact the consulate in Houston, Texas.  You can appear in person at the regional consulate, or mail your documentation to the embassy in Washington, D.C.  Detailed instructions and application forms can be found at https://angola.org/visa-requirements/,

In addition to the basic requirements listed previously, you will also need to provide:

  • Completed, signed application.
  • A letter addressed to the consulate or embassy stating the reason for your visit.
  • Itinerary of your planned trip.
  • Your original passport plus a photocopy of the main pages.
  • Bank statement demonstrating you have at least $200 per day available during your stay.

 

If you plan to mail your application, send it to the embassy address listed at the link above using FedEx, UPS, or DHL only.  Enclose a prepaid return envelope so the embassy can return your passport.  You are also responsible for having the shipper pick up the passport and your visa at the embassy.

It typically takes five to seven business days for the consulate to process your application.  However, we recommend allowing 30 days before your departure date to allow for mailing time.  The application fee is $70, payable in money order made out to the Embassy of Angola. The tourist visa is good for 30 days after arrival and can be extended another 30 days.

We Can Help if You Need Assistance

Visa Supply can help you complete your application for any of these visas and answer your questions about visiting Angola.  We also provide courier service to deliver your application and pick up your visa from the embassy in Washington or the consulate in Houston.  Our number one goal is to ensure your application documents for a visa are submitted accurately to the government of Angola.  Our services eliminate delays and give you the peace of mind to focus on your travel plans. 

If you live in Phoenix or anywhere in the state of Arizona and have difficulty applying for an Angola visa, or require assistance with any part of the visa process, please give our office a call at 404-682-5445 or schedule an appointment with our company.  We are a private agency in Atlanta providing Angola visa services for Americans and other U.S.-based residents. 

We provide the following Angola visa services for our customers in Phoenix:

  • Angola Tourist Visa
  • Angola Business Visa
  • Angola Work Visa
  • Angola Diplomat & Official Visa
  • Angola Hotel Accommodations