Angola family visa (visto de permanência temporária)

The temporary stay visa is granted on several grounds: humanitarian reasons, a mission for a religious institution, scientific research, accompanying a family member who holds a study, medical treatment, privileged or work visa, being a relative of the holder of a valid residence permit, and being the spouse of an Angolan citizen. This page covers the family grounds, which make it Angola's route for family reunion and for spouses.

Angola's tourist exemption under Decree 189/23 does not cover settling with family, so a spouse or child joining someone in Angola for longer than a visit needs this visa, whatever their nationality.

The visa must be used within 60 days of being granted and allows multiple entries. The holder may remain in Angola for up to 365 days, and the stay can be extended successively for as long as the reason that justified the visa continues, for example while the principal keeps a valid work visa or residence permit.

The Angolan Consulate General in Lisbon asks for originals with one photocopy each: a letter to the consulate signed by the applicant explaining the purpose and length of stay; the completed form with a photo; a passport valid for more than six months with two consecutive blank pages, plus copies of its main and stamped pages; three colour passport photos with a white background; a criminal record certificate no older than six months; a recent medical certificate stating that the applicant has no infectious disease; and the international vaccination certificate.

The list continues with proof of means of subsistence, proof of accommodation, a return itinerary (a reservation is enough; buying a ticket is not required and does not guarantee the visa), a notarised declaration of commitment to obey Angolan law, and proof of the family or work relationship with the Angolan citizen, resident or company in the country. Criminal record and medical certificates are translated into Portuguese by an official translator.

The Lisbon consulate currently quotes the fee on request and states a maximum delivery time of 30 working days. Its payment rules apply: card at the consulate or bank transfer, no refunds, and the receipt attached to the file.

For a minor the Lisbon consulate also wants the full birth certificate and copies of the parents' or guardian's passports. A child travelling with only one parent needs a notarised travel authorisation from the other parent; a child travelling without parents needs authorisation from both, plus the itinerary and passport of the adult companion. Non-Angolan parents write the authorisation in Portuguese or have it translated.

The Lisbon consulate asks for originals plus one photocopy of each document, and the form must be completed in black ink and capital letters and signed in front of a consular officer. Documents in another language must be translated into Portuguese by an official translator; in Lisbon the translation is notarised and legalised by the Portuguese foreign ministry. Missing documents can lead to refusal, the consulate may ask for further papers or call the applicant to an interview, and submitted files are not returned.