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TRAVEL REPORT
Angola

1. RECENT UPDATES

The level of Travel Warning in this report has changed.

A minor editorial change has been made (in French only).

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Angola

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Most Canadian visitors to Angola do not experience problems. However, Canadian travellers should be aware of the risk of landmines and unexploded ordinances, especially near bridges and on unpaved roads.

Road Travel (see also section 9)

Road travel outside Luanda and other provincial capitals is not recommended due to reckless driving habits.
 
Crime

Crime is a concern throughout the country, including in the capital Luanda where it is a regular occurrence. Incidents of muggings (particularly of cellular phones) and armed robberies have been reported. Carjackings are also a problem. Four-wheel-drive and luxury vehicles are targeted. Pickpockets are active outside the arrivals and departure gates of the Luanda airport.

When withdrawing money, whether from an automated banking machine, an Exchange House or a bank, be aware that criminals may be observing even from inside with cell phones and may attack you afterwards.

Do not show signs of affluence. Avoid travel after dark, particularly to and from the airport. You should not resist if threatened by carjackers or robbers. Do not make eye contact with assailants or indicate that you might be able to identify them.

Regional Warning

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against non-essential travel to the provinces of Cabinda, Lunda North and Lunda South. These three provinces are remote and have restricted access to basic goods and services. Also, because they are not easily accessible, the ability of the Embassy of Canada in Harare (Zimbabwe) and the Consulate of Canada in Luanda to render assistance is severely limited or non-existent.

Province of Cabinda: Militant groups claiming independence are active in this province and clashes with the security forces are possible. Murders and kidnappings have occurred and foreigners have been targeted.

Province of Lunda North and province of Lunda South: The presence of foreigners in these diamond producing areas may create some tensions, and security forces engaged in the expulsions of illegal diamond miners may be suspicious of foreign observers.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

Canadians travelling to Angola should also contact the Consulate of Canada in Luanda upon arrival to obtain the most recent consular information and advice, and to register their local address, contact information and passport details (see section 5 below).

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Travellers are responsible for their own personal safety. The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely advice in its Travel Reports. In the event of a crisis situation that requires evacuation, the Government of Canada’s policy is to provide safe transportation to the closest safe location. Canada will assist Canadians in leaving a country or a region as a last resort, when all means of commercial or personal transportation have been exhausted. This service is provided on a cost-recovery basis. Onward travel is at the individual’s personal expense. Situations vary from one location to another, and there may be constraints on government resources, which can limit the ability of the Government of Canada to provide assistance, particularly in countries or regions where the potential for violent conflict or political instability are high.

Demonstrations

Demonstrations occasionnally occur in Luanda and could turn violent without warning. Travellers should avoid large crowds, follow the advice of security forces and monitor the local media for up-to-date information.

General Security Information

You should be careful at all times and carry locally certified copies of the identification page of your passport as well as original travel documents issued by Angolan authorities, such as resident or work permits, visas, and driver's licences. Make sure they are all up-to-date. Police and military checkpoints are common in both urban and rural areas. You should be prepared to present copies of documents and not challenge the authority of requesting officials. When travelling in the provinces always carry original documentation.

Shortages of food, lodging, medicine, transportation, electricity, and water affect most of the country. While Luanda does not experience shortages of food, lodging is scarce and tourist facilities are very limited. The cost of living in Luanda can be very high.

Poisonous snake bites are a potential danger in the countryside.

In case of an emergency, dial 113. Please note that you should speak Portuguese.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been obtained from the Angolan authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller’s responsibility to check with the Embassy of the Republic of Angola and its consulate for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Angola. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected departure from the country. For a work visa, the passport needs a minimum of 18 months validity.

You must also be in possession of a visa and an onward or return ticket. Tourist and business visas can usually take at least 15 working days to process, whereas the issuance of a working visa takes at least 90 working days. The length of stay for a tourist visa may not exceed 30 days, but it can be renewed up to twice at a maximum of 30 days each. Angolan visas take a whole page and preferably have a blank page behind them. Ensure you have enough pages remaining in your passport. Additional pages cannot be added in a passport and issuing a new passport may take several weeks.

Passports handed over to the local Angolan immigration authorities for visa renewal may be kept for five or more weeks due to backlogs. Passport holders must ensure they retain a legible copy of the receipt, as well as an Angolan notarized copy of their passport and current visa, to show to any inquiring authority. Otherwise they risk heavy fines or deportation. Emergency passports are not always honoured at the airport when leaving.

If a traveller is using a temporary or emergency passport and the original passport becomes accessible again, the original passport cannot be used until the temporary or emergency passport has been handed in. To try to use it constitutes fraud.

Airport and road check procedures have been reinforced and any question about documentation or identification, including visas and vaccination cards, can lead to delays or rejected entry. Ensure that you have obtained the appropriate visa prior to your arrival. Canadians arriving in Angola without the required visa could face arrest and/or deportation. Visas cannot be obtained at the airport. Travellers who overstay their visa are subject to high fines and possible arrest.

Tourist Visa: Required
Business Visa: Required
Student Visa: Required
Employment Visa: Required
Transit Visa: Required

Those who wish to work in Angola must first acquire a Criminal Clearance Certificate from their local Canadian police or RCMP before travelling. This document can only be obtained while in Canada.

Yellow fever

You are required to carry evidence of a yellow fever vaccination. If you cannot show proof of valid vaccination against yellow fever you may be subject to involuntary vaccinations and/or heavy fines upon entry.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s licence, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Angola - LUANDA, Consulate of Canada
Address: Rua Rei Katyavala 113, Luanda, Angola
Postal Address: P.O. Box 3360, Luanda, Angola,
Tel.: 244 222 448-371, 448-377, or 448-366
Fax: 244 222 449-494
E-Mail: consul.can@angonet.org

The Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe, has consular responsibility for Angola. The address is as follows:

Zimbabwe - HARARE, Embassy of Canada
Address: 45 Baines Avenue, Harare, Zimbabwe
Postal Address: P.O. Box 1430, Harare, Zimbabwe,
Tel.: 263 (4) 252-181, 252-182, 252-183, 252-184, or 252-185
Fax: 263 (4) 252-186 or 252-187
E-Mail: Hrare-cs@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.zimbabwe.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Consulate of Canada in Luanda or the Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe, and follow the instructions. You may also call the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) recommends that travellers use personal protective measures against mosquito bites to prevent getting dengue fever. There is no vaccine or medication that protects against dengue. People experiencing flu-like symptoms are advised to seek medical attention immediately.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical treatment is very expensive and payment in advance required. Medical facilities are very poor throughout the country,  including in Luanda.  Many doctors do not speak English or French, including in Luanda. Serious medical emergencies should be treated outside of the country.

In Angola, malaria is endemic and of the most dangerous falciparum type. The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) reminds travellers that anti-malarial medication and the use of personal protective measures against mosquito bites are recommended to prevent getting malaria while visiting the country.

Travellers should take precautions against contracting water-borne diseases. Water used for consumption (including water used to make ice cubes) should be boiled first or otherwise sterilized. You should be cautious of eating non peelable raw fruit and vegetables due to the possibility of cholera, typhoid and hepatitis.

As the level of HIV/AIDS infection in Angola is high, you should be cautious about activities involving the transmission of bodily fluids.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Criminal suspects may also be subjected to very long periods of pre-trial detention before their case is heard by a court.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Illegal and/or Restricted Activities

Involvement in black-market currency conversions could lead to an arrest.

Importing any genetically modified organisms (GMOs) is illegal.

All handicrafts to be exported must have a special government stamp affixed to each item. Some handicrafts considered of high cultural value may be retained by customs. It is illegal to remove turtle shells and ivory from the country.

Avoid photography of airports, major roads, bridges, communications installations, military personnel and government buildings. All photographs of urban areas may be considered negatively by police.

Dual Nationality

Although dual nationality is legally recognized in Angola, the law indicates that Angolan nationality takes precedence. Holding dual nationality may limit the ability of Canadian officials to provide consular services.

The Department publishes a booklet entitled Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Road Travel

Roads, especially secondary and tertiary roads, and bridges are generally in very poor condition. Drivers under the influence of alcohol are common, especially on weekends, and the return trip to Luanda from beach outings can be particularly hazardous. Be extremely careful of unexpected hazards on the road such as pedestrians and animals.

Landmines and unexploded ordnances remain a serious danger. Many areas of the countryside, including secondary roads and bridges, are heavily mined. Even roads that have been frequently travelled and thought to be landmine-free may be unsafe.

An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended.

For visitors, door-to-door taxis are rare and expensive so it is advisable to hire a car with driver. Drivers can overcome the problems of few parking spaces and negotiate heavy traffic and the idiosyncrasies of local traffic flows, including any accidents.

It is recommended to avoid using public transportation, including buses and van taxis.

Air Travel

International flights operated by national airlines do not meet international aviation safety standards due to a lack of maintenance and safety equipment. Maintenance of aircraft is unreliable. Air travel within the country should be limited to airports in the provincial capitals or other cities with paved landing strips. Contact the Embassy of Canada in Harare, Zimbabwe, for the latest security information (see section 5 above).

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency in Angola is the Kwanza (AOA). It is not convertible on the international market. Dollars can be converted into kwanzas, or vice versa, at the few Exchange Houses in Luanda or at local banks. Receiving foreign currency is often very difficult due to present scarcity (even for those with foreign currency accounts). Kwanzas cannot be taken out of the country. No more than $5000USD may be taken out by a non-resident ($15,000USD for resident), unless they have made an official declaration upon entry into Angola.

Newer U.S.-dollar bills are favoured due to the ease with which the older bills are counterfeited. Credit cards are accepted at only a few of Luanda’s largest hotels and restaurants and it varies as to which cards are accepted. Canadian travellers should check in advance. Leave a copy of your card information with a trusted family member or friend in case of emergency.

Travellers cheques are difficult to cash in Angola, normally only at some of the top hotels.
 
Automated banking machines (ABM) allow access to kwanzas only. Only some ABMs in Luanda accept VISA. American Express and Mastercard are accepted but only to withdraw kwanzas. Note that often machines malfunction or run out of cash. Debit cards do not function.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The rainy season extends from November to April. Heavy rains have the potential to cause sudden flooding throughout the country and may result in infrastructure damage. Travellers should expect delays and allow for more time to reach their destination as some roads may be affected. Canadians residing in or travelling to affected areas should exercise caution, monitor local news and weather reports, and follow the advice of local authorities.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Communications

Breaks in communications like phones, internet and fax are common problems. International calls are difficult to place from outside the capital. Most personal cellular phones are not compatible and must be reprogrammed for use within Angola.

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Angolan procedures for allowing a child to be adopted by a foreigner are extremely complicated. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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