Doing Business in Angola

Getting to Angola

Visas/Passports 

You need to plan well in advance when applying for a visa to Angola. Visitors must apply for a visa from the Angolan Embassy in their country in order to be allowed entry to Angola. The processing time, on average, takes around 15 working days. However, visas can be issued both before this time and sometimes later. Visa issuing posts are increasingly introducing the biometric system. All visitors to Angola are required to carry valid visas and Yellow Fever Certificates, which must be presented on arrival or face being inoculated at the airport.

See the Angolan Embassy in the UK website: www.angola.org.uk for more information.

 

By air

There are two weekly direct flights (BA) from London to Luanda for those travelling directly from the UK, and other options include: via Johannesburg, Lisbon, Paris, Frankfurt, Dubai, Madrid and Addis Ababa. SAA flies daily from Johannesburg. However, flights to Luanda are frequently full and good advance travel arrangements are recommended. It is also worth bearing in mind that travel costs to Luanda are relatively high in comparison with other regional locations.

 

At the airport

It is recommended that first-time travellers to Angola be met by a local contact at the airport. Although it is not essential, it is a nice touch for first-time travellers not familiar with the procedures. Security is improving so more and more business people are making their own business travel arrangements in-country. Be aware that although there are taxis from the Airport, the driver is unlikely to be able to speak English.

 

Getting around

Accommodation in Luanda can be expensive and it is sometimes difficult to find rooms available at short notice. It is quite important to book a room at least four weeks before the date of travel in order to ensure accommodation is secured. Not only are prices quite high for the standard of services offered but often payment must be made in advance in order to secure the accommodation.

The traffic in Luanda is notoriously slow moving. Even short journeys can take an hour, depending on the time of day, traffic and weather conditions. You should allow ample time to get to your meetings.   

It is also important to emphasise that Luanda is rated as the most expensive city in the world. An average restaurant meal costs around US$100 per head, and in-country transportation costs can be quite expensive too. For example a car hired with a driver can cost up to US$300 per day.

Public transport is not a viable option and although security is improving, visitors are advised not to walk alone, especially at night. The FCO travel advice is regularly updated and visitors are advised to consult it before travelling.

FCO Travel Advice The FCO website has up-to-date travel advice to help you prepare for your visit and to stay safe and secure while you are there. For advice please visit the FCO Travel section: www.gov.uk/browse/abroad

 

Source – UKTI

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