Angola
Angola visa guide: tourism, work, study and medical stays
- 7 visa types
- checked 25 October 2026
How visas for Angola work
Entry, stay and residence of foreigners in Angola are governed by Law No. 13/19 of 23 May on the legal regime of foreign citizens, and are administered by the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME), the migration service of the Ministry of the Interior. Visas are issued by Angolan embassies and consulates; the SME's official eVISA portal (evisa.ao) lets applicants submit the form and scanned documents online before the consular step.
Presidential Decree No. 189/23 of 29 September 2023 exempts nationals of 98 countries from the tourist visa, among them all EU member states, the United Kingdom, Switzerland, Norway, Türkiye and Russia on its European list, with further lists for Africa, Asia, the Americas, Oceania and the Caribbean. Exempt nationals can visit Angola for tourism for up to 30 days per entry and up to 90 days per calendar year without a visa. The exemption covers tourism only: work, study, medical treatment and residence still require the matching visa from a mission abroad.
Under the same decree, Angolan missions must decide tourist visa applications within three working days, and the SME portal states the same 72-hour target for online applications. General entry conditions under Article 61 of Law 13/19 include a travel document valid for at least six months, parental authorisation for minors and compliance with health requirements; the SME also asks for an international yellow fever vaccination certificate.
Which visa do I need?
Holiday, sightseeing, sport or cultural visit of up to 30 days by a national of one of the 98 exempt countries: no visa (maximum 90 days a year).
Tourism for nationals who are not exempt: tourist visa, which can be started online on the SME eVISA portal.
Employment with an Angolan company or institution: work visa, applied for at a mission with the employer's request letter.
School, vocational training, a degree or an internship: study visa.
Treatment in an Angolan hospital: medical treatment visa (stay of up to 180 days).
Settling in Angola with family ties to nationals or residents: residence visa (fixação de residência), followed by a residence permit from the SME.
Spouse of an Angolan, or family joining a resident or a work, study or medical visa holder: temporary stay visa.
Visa types for Angola
Visits and short stays
- Tourist visa Tourist visa (visto de turismo) and tourist visa exemption under Decree 189/23
Nationals of the 98 countries listed in Presidential Decree 189/23 do not need a visa to visit Angola for tourism: they may stay up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year.
Maximum stay: Exemption: 30 days per entry, 90 days per year; tourist visa: up to 30 days, extendable once by the same period - Medical treatment visa Medical treatment visa (visto para tratamento médico)
Foreigners travelling to Angola for treatment in a public or private hospital need a medical treatment visa.
Maximum stay: Up to 180 days
Study and training
- Student visa Study visa (visto de estudo)
Angola's study visa is for foreigners enrolled at a school, vocational training centre or university, or doing an internship.
Maximum stay: One year, extendable until the end of studies
Work
- Work visa Work visa (visto de trabalho)
Foreigners taking up employment in Angola need a work visa under Law 13/19, applied for at an Angolan mission with a request letter from the contracting company.
Family
- Family reunification visa Temporary stay visa (visto de permanência temporária) for family members
Angola's temporary stay visa covers, among other grounds, the spouse of an Angolan national, relatives of a valid residence-permit holder, and family members accompanying a holder of a study, medical, privileged or work visa.
Maximum stay: Up to 365 days, extendable successively until the reason for the visa ends
Residence
- Residence permit Residence visa (visto para fixação de residência)
The residence visa under Law 13/19 is for foreigners who intend to settle in Angola.
Maximum stay: 120 days, extendable by equal periods until the residence permit decision
Online travel permits
- e-Visa SME eVISA online visa application (evisa.ao)
Angola's official eVISA portal, run for the Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros at evisa.ao, collects visa applications and scanned documents online and sends them to the SME.
Maximum stay: As for the visa applied for; tourist visa up to 30 days
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Angola?
Not for tourism if your country is one of the 98 on the lists of Presidential Decree 189/23, which allows up to 30 days per entry and 90 days per year. Other nationals need a tourist visa, and every other purpose needs the matching visa.
Is a yellow fever certificate required?
Yes. The SME lists a valid international vaccination certificate against yellow fever among the documents, and the exemption decree states that health formalities still apply.
Can I work in Angola on the visa exemption?
No. The exemption is for tourism only, and the tourist visa itself does not allow residence or paid work. Employment requires a work visa.
How long does an Angolan tourist visa take?
The decree sets a maximum of three working days at Angolan missions, and the SME eVISA portal states processing within 72 hours.
What passport validity does Angola require?
Law 13/19 and the exemption decree require at least six months. The SME's online visa instructions ask for one year and at least four blank pages for visa applications.
Embassies and consulates
Last checked 25 October 2026. Each visa page lists the official sources it is based on.