Safety notice. The US State Department rates Angola Level 2, Exercise increased caution, and Level 3, Reconsider travel, for the Luanda greater metropolitan area because of crime. The UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cabinda Province (except Cabinda city), to areas within 1 km of the Democratic Republic of the Congo border in Lunda Norte Province (except official border crossings), and against travelling to the rest of Lunda Norte and to Lunda Sul unless absolutely necessary. Read the US travel advisory and the UK travel advice before you apply.
Last checked: November 2026
Many tourists can enter Angola visa-free, and the rest apply for an e-visa online. The exemption covers tourism only, for up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year, according to ANGOP. If your country isn’t on the official list, apply through the immigration service (SME) before you fly, and confirm every detail with an official source.
Who Needs a Visa for Angola?
A 2023 decree (Presidential Decree No. 189/23, according to the Angolan embassy in Hungary) removed the tourist visa requirement for citizens of 98 countries. ANGOP named Portugal, Brazil, Cabo Verde, the United States, Russia and China among them, and the list spans several continents. The Angolan embassy in Japan now says the policy covers more than 100 countries, so the list has grown since 2023. You can read the embassy’s list of exempt countries for the original 98.
Here’s how to think about it by group:
- Passport from an exempt country: no tourist visa needed. The exemption is for tourism only, so it doesn’t cover work, business or long stays.
- Passport from a country that isn’t on the list: you need a visa before you travel.
- Diplomatic and official passports: separate rules apply, so ask your own foreign ministry or the Angolan embassy.
- Not sure: contact the nearest Angolan embassy or consulate. Some third-party visa sites show different rules for the same passport, so don’t rely on them alone.
How Do You Apply for an Angola Tourist Visa?
Angola’s immigration service, the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME), runs the official e-visa platform at evisa.ao. According to VisasNews, the older smevisa.gov.ao address now redirects there, and the new site adds personal accounts, online fee payment and application tracking. Use only the official site, because look-alike sites often add extra charges.
A tourist visa must be used within 60 days of its issue date. It allows a stay of up to 30 days and can be extended once for an equal period, according to the Consulate General of Angola in the UK. It doesn’t let you live in Angola or take paid work.
What Documents Do You Need?
Requirements vary by embassy, so read the checklist on the official platform. These items come up most often:
- A passport valid for at least six months. Several visa guides list this rule, so treat it as the safe standard.
- A passport-style photo and a scan of your passport data page. Check the portal for the accepted file format and size.
- Proof of onward travel and where you’ll stay. You may be asked for both.
- Travel insurance that covers medical evacuation, which the US State Department strongly recommends.
- Your yellow fever vaccination certificate. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs says visitors may be asked for evidence of vaccination, and the Angolan embassy in the United States lists yellow fever vaccination as mandatory.
What Happens at the Border?
Immigration officers can refuse entry if you don’t meet the requirements or if your presence doesn’t suit the national interest, according to Expat Arrivals. Keep your visa approval, ticket and accommodation details together and easy to reach. Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs also advises leaving a copy of your passport and insurance papers with someone at home, and not carrying the original around unless you must.
Fees, Processing Times and Extensions
Fees and processing times depend on your nationality and change over time. The numbers on third-party sites don’t match each other, so we don’t list a price here. Check the fee on the official platform before you pay, and apply early.
If you’re on a tourist visa and need more time, the consulate says one extension of the same length is possible. Ask SME before your stay ends. The UK FCDO also warns that you may not be allowed to re-enter Angola if you break the visa rules.
Safety Notes That Affect Your Plans
- Luanda: the US rates the greater metropolitan area Level 3 because of crime, including armed robbery and carjacking.
- Cabinda, Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul: the UK FCDO advises against all but essential travel to Cabinda Province (outside Cabinda city) and to the 1 km strip along the Democratic Republic of the Congo border in Lunda Norte, and against travel to the rest of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul unless absolutely necessary.
- Health: the FCDO updated its Angola advice in May 2026 to add information about an Ebola outbreak declared in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Check current health advice from your own health authority.
- Landmines: the US says unexploded ordnance exists in parts of the country, and some areas aren’t marked. Stay on well-used roads and paths.
Common Visa Mistakes
- Assuming a visa-free stay covers business meetings or paid work.
- Counting the 30 days per entry but forgetting the 90-day yearly cap.
- Applying through a copycat site instead of the official platform.
- Booking flights before you’ve checked your passport’s remaining validity.
- Relying on an old article. The exempt list and the e-visa website have both changed since 2023.
Quick Visa Checklist
- Confirm your passport’s status on the embassy list or by email.
- Check passport validity and blank pages.
- Apply on the official e-visa platform if you need a visa.
- Carry your vaccination certificate and insurance papers.
- Save digital and paper copies of everything.
- Plan your route with the best places to visit in Angola and the getting around Angola guide before you book flights.
Angola Visa FAQs
Can US citizens visit Angola without a visa?
ANGOP named the United States among the countries exempt from tourist visas, for up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year. Confirm with the Angolan embassy before you travel, because rules can change and the exemption covers tourism only.
How long can I stay on a tourist visa?
A tourist visa allows up to 30 days and can be extended once for the same period, according to the Consulate General of Angola in the UK. Visa-free stays are up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year, according to ANGOP.
Where do I apply for the Angola e-visa?
Use the immigration service’s official platform at evisa.ao. The older smevisa.gov.ao address redirects to it, according to VisasNews. Avoid sites that add large service fees, and compare any price against the official platform.
Do I need a yellow fever certificate for Angola?
Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs says visitors may be asked to show proof of yellow fever vaccination, and the Angolan embassy in the United States lists the vaccine as mandatory. Carry your certificate, and ask a travel-health clinic what’s recommended for your route and for your journey home.
Is Angola safe for tourists?
It depends on where you go. The US rates Angola Level 2 for the country as a whole and Level 3 for the Luanda greater metropolitan area. The UK advises against all but essential travel to parts of Cabinda and Lunda Norte, and against travel to the rest of Lunda Norte and Lunda Sul unless absolutely necessary. Read both advisories before you book.