ENTERING AND STAYING CRIME & SECURITY PROVISION
Foreigners must obtain a valid visa and / or Work Permit before travelling to Angola otherwise they are sure to be detained at the airport and face deportation . The process is long and delays common , so advance planning is essential when considering relocating staff into the country with deadline .
IMMIGRATION ALERT !
• Be sure to check all entry requirements with the Angolan Embassy in your country . You should start the application process at least 8 weeks in advance of planned entry date .
• Visas cannot be obtained on arrival at any airport . You must obtain a valid visa and / or work permit before travelling to Angola otherwise you will be detained at the airport and subsequently deported .
• You will be fined US $ 150 per day if you overstay your visa . You will not be allowed to leave the country until your fine has been paid .
• Fines are in place for a wide range of visa offences including working , studying or residing without the correct visa , changing employment without notifying the authorities , employing staff with incorrect visas , failing to renew residence cards , or changing address without notifying the authorities .
• Your passport should be valid for a minimum period of 6 months from the date of entry into Angola .
• A yellow fever vaccination is required for travelers arriving from all countries . Airport staff will expect to see your vaccination card on arrival . Otherwise you will be vaccinated at the airport .
EXPAT LIFE AND CONCERNS
Though years of intense civil strife officially came to an end in 2002 , there are still concerns around crime and security provision ; shattered infrastructure ; poverty ; disease and landmines that remains littered throughout the countryside ; all legacies of the war .
A major concern of Expatriates relocating into Angola is personal safety – precaution is warranted in light of the country ’ s war-ravaged past and present high levels of crime . Unrest can flare up quickly and crime is a daily reality in many areas .
Local Fact – Crime is high in Luanda . Muggings , especially for mobile phones , and robberies are common in the capital as well as in provincial areas . Areas popular with foreigners are often targeted so constant vigilance is required . Incidents of rape have been reported , both in nightlife areas and in private homes .
Expat Precautions - Expats are advised against travelling alone at night or travelling through areas that are known to be crime hotspots . For Luanda , special caution should be taken when moving between nightspots on the Ilha do Cabo and wandering through Luanda ’ s many marketplaces .
Avoid political gatherings and demonstrations , & respect any advice or instruction from local security authorities . Deposit valuables and cash in a hotel safe where practical . Keep copies of important documents , including your passport , in a separate place from the documents themselves .
INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRAVEL SOLUTIONS
While major networks around Luanda are improving , road conditions in general are still poor and a four-wheel drive vehicle is required for longer distances – which should be done with at least two other vehicles for safety precaution .
Drivers should make sure they have spare tyres and replacement parts . Driving is especially dangerous during the rainy season from November to April . Roads and bridges can be washed away by floods , which can leave travelers stranded ( and venerable ) for considerable amounts of time .