Angola travel advice

Risk level

Safety and security

Province of Cabinda

Militant groups claiming independence are active in this province and clashes with security forces are possible.

Murders, kidnappings and sexual assaults occur and foreigners have been targeted. These militant groups have indicated their intention to continue to conduct attacks on foreigners.

Access to basic goods and services in Cabinda is restricted.

Province of Lunda Norte

The presence of foreigners in diamond-producing Lunda Norte may create tension. Security forces engaged in the expulsion of illegal diamond miners may be suspicious of foreign observers.

The presence of diamonds increases levels of crime. Travellers may be asked for a letter from their employer, an organization or an individual explaining the reasons for their travel.

Access to basic goods and services in Lunda Norte is restricted.

Crime

Petty crime

Petty crime, such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and theft from vehicles occurs regularly, including in Luanda.

Theft is common in:

• popular tourist areas
• near or inside ATMs and banks
• outside the arrivals and departures gates at the Luanda airport

During your trip:

• ensure that your belongings, including your passport and other travel documents, are secure at all times
• avoid showing signs of affluence or wearing expensive jewellery
• pay attention to your surroundings, particularly in crowded and tourist areas
• keep your car doors and windows locked at all times
• avoid carrying large sums of cash or unnecessary valuables
• be extra cautious when withdrawing cash from ATMs and banks

Violent crime

Violent crime occurs, especially in Luanda. Incidents include:

• muggings, particularly for mobile phones
• armed robberies
• carjacking, usually of four wheel drive and luxury vehicles
• rape

During your stay:

• remain aware of your surroundings at all times
• if threatened by armed individuals, don’t resist and hand over your cash and valuables immediately
• avoid walking after dark
• avoid walking alone

Landmines

There is a high risk from landmines and unexploded ordnance, especially near bridges and on unpaved roads outside major cities. Many areas of the countryside, including secondary roads, are heavily mined. Even frequently travelled roads that are thought to be landmine-free may be unsafe.

Road safety

Roads, particularly secondary and tertiary roads, and bridges are generally in poor condition.

Incidents of drivers under the influence of alcohol are common, especially on weekends. The return trip to Luanda from beach outings can be particularly hazardous due to reckless driving habits. Be extremely careful of unexpected hazards on the road, such as pedestrians and animals.

Always drive with the doors locked and the windows rolled up. Keep your valuables out of sight.

Only undertake overland travel outside of urban centres in convoys of at least two vehicles, ideally four-wheel drive vehicles.

Public transportation

Door-to-door taxis are scarce and expensive, so you should try to hire a car with driver. Local drivers can overcome the problem of few parking spaces and can negotiate heavy traffic and the idiosyncrasies of local traffic flows, including any accident.

Avoid using public transportation, including buses and van taxis.

Shortages

Shortages of fuel, municipal water and power may occur. Drinking water and some food items can be difficult to find sometimes. Plan accordingly. Ensure that your emergency kit is complete.

Emergency kit

Demonstrations 

Demonstrations occur occasionally.

Even peaceful demonstrations can turn violent at any time. They can also lead to disruptions to traffic and public transportation.

• Avoid areas where demonstrations and large gatherings are taking place
• Follow the instructions of local authorities
• Monitor local media for information on ongoing demonstrations

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)

Domestic travel

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 a driver’s licence. Make sure your documents are up-to-date. Police checkpoints are common in both urban and rural areas. You should be prepared to present copies of your identification documents. Do not challenge the authority of requesting officials. Failure to produce identification documents can result in a large fine.

When travelling in the provinces, always carry original documentation. If photocopies are to be used in place of originals, the copies must be notarized by an Angolan notary public. Note that notarized photocopies are not acceptable for travel outside Luanda.

Foreigners travelling into the interior of Angola sometimes require an internal travel document. This may be provided by the Angolan organization or individual that invited the foreigner to Angola.

Telecommunications

Interruptions in telecommunications are common. International calls are difficult to place from outside the capital. Most personal cellular phones are incompatible and must be reprogrammed for use within Angola.

Piracy

Pirate attacks and armed robbery against ships occur in coastal waters. Mariners should take appropriate precautions.

Live piracy report - International Maritime Bureau

Air travel

We do not make assessments on the compliance of foreign domestic airlines with international safety standards.

Information about foreign domestic airlines

Entry and exit requirements

Every country or territory decides who can enter or exit through its borders. The Government of Canada cannot intervene on your behalf if you do not meet your destination’s entry or exit requirements.

We have obtained the information on this page from Angolan authorities. It can, however, change at any time.

Verify this information with the Foreign Representatives in Canada.

Passport

Entry requirements vary depending on the type of passport you use for travel.

Before you travel, check with your transportation company about passport requirements. Its rules on passport validity may be more stringent than the country’s entry rules. 

Regular Canadian passport

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the date you expect to leave Angola.

Passport for official travel

Different entry rules may apply.

Official travel

Passport with “X” gender identifier

While the Government of Canada issues passports with an “X” gender identifier, it cannot guarantee your entry or transit through other countries. You might face entry restrictions in countries that do not recognize the “X” gender identifier. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Other travel documents

Different entry rules may apply when travelling with a temporary passport or an emergency travel document. Before you leave, check with the closest foreign representative for your destination.

Useful links

• Foreign Representatives in Canada
• Canadian passports

Visas

Tourist visa: not required for stays up to 30 days at a time, with a maximum of 90 days during one calendar year
Business visa: required
Student visa: required
Employment visa: required
Transit visa: required

To obtain a visa, you may be required to get a Canadian criminal clearance certificate, which can only be obtained while in Canada from your local police or the RCMP. You must submit the police clearance along with your visa application in both English and a certified Portuguese translation.

If you arrive in Angola without the required visa or pre-approval, you could face arrest and/or deportation. Travellers who overstay their visa are subject to heavy fines and possible arrest.

Angola's visa and pre-approved tourist visa on arrival portal

Other entry requirements

Customs officials may ask you to show them a return or onward ticket. 

Any issue relating to documentation or identification can lead to delays or denial of entry.

Yellow fever

Learn about potential entry requirements related to yellow fever (vaccines section). 

Children and travel

Learn more about travelling with children.

Health

Routine vaccines

Make sure your routine vaccinations are up-to-date before you travel, no matter where you’re going.

These may include vaccines for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR), diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis (whooping cough), polio, varicella (chickenpox), meningococcal disease, seasonal flu, and others.

Provincial and Territorial Immunization Information

Pre-travel vaccines and medications

When travelling in this destination, you might be at risk for diseases that can be prevented with vaccines or medications. Talk to a travel health care provider about which ones are right for you based on your travel plans.

The highlights below will also tell you if your destination may require that vaccine for entering or exiting.

Safe food and water precautions

Eating or drinking unsafe food or water, or swimming in contaminated water can make you sick while travelling. Take precautions by following these tips:

• Boil it, cook it, peel it, or leave it (only eat food that is prepared safely)
• Avoid, if possible, getting water in your eyes, mouth, or nose when swimming in freshwater (like streams, lakes, or canals), especially after heavy rain or flooding - the water might look clean but can still be contaminated 
• Don’t swallow water when bathing, showering, swimming in pools, or using hot tubs 

Eat and drink safely abroad

Tick and insect bite prevention

Many diseases are spread by bites from infected ticks and insects like mosquitoes, fleas, or flies. Before you travel, find out what types of ticks or insects are in the area, when they’re most active, and what diseases they can spread.

To protect yourself from bites:

• use an approved bug spray (insect repellent) on exposed skin
• wear light-coloured, loose clothing made of tightly woven materials like nylon or polyester
• wear socks and closed-toe shoes
• sleep under mosquito netting if you’re outdoors or staying in places that aren’t fully enclosed
• do a full body tick check on yourself, your children, your gear, and any pets you’re travelling with when you return from outdoor activities

Insect bite and pest prevention
Personal insect repellents

Animal precautions

Some infections, like rabies and bird flu (avian influenza), can be spread from animals to humans. Certain activities can increase your chances of coming into contact with animals, like:

• travelling in rural or forested areas
• camping, hiking, or visiting caves
• visiting places where live animals are sold or killed for food, like wet markets

To reduce your risk of getting sick, avoid contact with animals like stray dogs, livestock (such as pigs and cows), monkeys, snakes, rodents, birds, and bats. Avoid eating undercooked meat.

Make sure to closely watch children; they are more likely to try to touch animals.

Person-to-person infections

When travelling, you can reduce your risk of getting or spreading respiratory infections, like the flu or COVID-19, by:

• staying at your accommodation and limiting contact with others if you’re sick
• wearing a well-fitting mask, especially: 
  
  • if you’re sick and need to be around others 
  • when you’re at large indoor events or in crowded settings, like sporting events, concerts, and airports
• cleaning your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or using hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol
• covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your elbow, not your hands

Mass gatherings (large-scale events)
Clean your hands to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases
Respiratory infectious diseases: How to reduce the spread with personal protective measures

To lower your risk of getting sexually transmissible infections (STIs), HIV, and mpox, you can:

• get vaccinated against mpox if you’re eligible
• have fewer sexual partners
• use protection during sexual activity, like condoms and dental dams.

Mpox vaccines
Sexual health and travel
HIV and AIDS: Travel health advice

Medical services and facilities

Medical treatment is very expensive, and payment in advance is required. Medical facilities are very poor throughout the country, including in Luanda.

Many doctors and medical staff do not speak English or French, including in Luanda; they speak Portuguese.

Serious medical emergencies should be treated outside the country.

Make sure you get travel insurance that includes coverage for medical evacuation and hospital stays.

Health and safety outside Canada

Keep in Mind...

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety.

Be prepared. Do not expect medical services to be the same as in Canada. Pack a travel health kit, especially if you will be travelling away from major city centres.

Laws and culture

You must abide by local laws.

Learn about what you should do and how we can help if you are arrested or detained abroad.

Drugs

Punishment for drug-related offences can be severe.

Drugs, alcohol and travel

Illegal or restricted activities

Involvement in black-market currency conversion could lead to arrest.

Some handicrafts considered of cultural value may be retained by customs. It is illegal to remove turtle shells and ivory from the country.

Avoid photographing airports, major roads, bridges, communications installations, military personnel and government buildings. Taking photos of urban areas may be frowned upon by police.

2SLGBTQI+ persons

Angola does not prohibit sexual acts between persons of the same sex. However, homosexuality is not widely socially accepted.

Same-sex marriage is not recognized.

2SLGBTQI+ persons should carefully consider the risks of travelling to Angola.

Travel and your sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics

Dual citizenship

Dual citizenship is legally recognized in Angola.

If you are a Canadian citizen, but also a citizen of Angola, our ability to offer you consular services may be limited while you're there. You may also be subject to different entry/exit requirements.

Dual citizens

International Child Abduction

The Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction is an international treaty. It can help parents with the return of children who have been removed to or retained in certain countries in violation of custody rights. It does not apply between Canada and Angola.

If your child was wrongfully taken to, or is being held in Angola by an abducting parent:

• act as quickly as you can
• consult a lawyer in Canada and in Angola to explore all the legal options for the return of your child
• report the situation to the nearest Canadian government office abroad or to Global Affairs Canada by calling the Emergency Watch and Response Centre

If your child was removed from a country other than Canada, consult a lawyer to determine if The Hague Convention applies.

Be aware that Canadian consular officials cannot interfere in private legal matters or in another country's judicial affairs.

Useful links

• International Child Abductions: A guide for affected parents
• Children and travel
• Canadian embassies and consulates by destination
• Request emergency assistance

Driving

You should carry an international driving permit.

More about the International Driving Permit

Money

The currency in Angola is the kwanza (AOA).

The kwanza is not convertible on the international market. Dollars can be converted into kwanzas, or vice versa, at the few exchange bureaus 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 US$15,000 can be taken into or out of Angola, unless an official declaration is made upon entry.

Newer U.S.-dollar bills are preferred, 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. VISA is the most commonly accepted credit card. Leave a copy of your card information with a trusted family member or friend in case of emergency.

ATMs dispense kwanzas only. Some ATMs in Luanda accept VISA cards, but only to withdraw kwanzas. Note that machines often malfunction or run out of cash. Debit cards do not work.

Natural disasters and climate

Rainy season 

The rainy season extends from November to April. Heavy rains can cause sudden flooding throughout the country and may damage infrastructure. Expect delays and allow for more time to reach your destination, as roads may be affected.