U.S. Embassy Luanda

Rua Presidente Houari Boumedienne #32
Miramar, Luanda
Angola
Telephone: + (244) 222-64-1000
Emergency After-Hours Telephone: + 244-222-64-1112  or + 244-923-64-0154
Contact Form: U.S. Embassy Luanda ACS Navigator

Review the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Angola for information on U.S.-Angola relations.

You may visit Angola visa-free as a tourist for up to 30 days per trip (90 days total per calendar year).

 You must present the following upon arrival: 

• A U.S. passport valid for the duration of your stay in Angola, with at least 1 blank page

For all other travel, you must obtain a visa or visa pre-approval before traveling to Angola.

• Review visa requirements at the nearest Angolan Embassy or Consulate or at the Angolan Migration Service, Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME) website for visas and visa pre-approval.
• Apply for your visa as soon as possible. Wait times may be long.
• If you plan to work in Angola, you must have a valid, unexpired work visa during your stay. If you don’t, police may fine or arrest you.

Immigration and customs officials at the airport have detained foreigners without cause and demanded payments, tips, or bribes before allowing them to enter or depart Angola.

• If harassed at a port of entry, ask to speak with the U.S. Embassy or an immigration shift supervisor (chefe de turno da imigração). 

Airport Transportation: Arrange reliable ground transportation from the airport before you arrive.

Currency Regulations: You must declare any currency over $10,000 at entry and exit.  Expect to be searched at the airport. Any amount over $10,000 may be confiscated.

HIV/AIDS restrictions: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Angola. 

Find information on dual nationality, prevention of international child abduction and customs regulations on our website. 

Landmines are a risk outside major cities throughout Angola. 

Demonstrations occur frequently. They may take place in response to political or economic issues. They may also occur on politically significant holidays and during international events.

• Demonstrations can be unpredictable. Avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. 
• Past demonstrations have turned violent.
• Check local media for updates and traffic advisories.

Crime: Armed assailants have killed some victims during muggings, robberies, and car-jackings, which occur frequently in Luanda and sporadically in all areas of the country.

• In most cases, two individuals on a motorcycle follow and rob their victim, sometimes at gunpoint.
• Criminals may target women driving or walking alone.
• Motorcyclists may stage an accident to force you to stop or to lure you out of your vehicle.
• Be aware of criminals who ask you to drive them to the hospital. Sometimes criminals fake traffic injuries to gain access to your vehicle.
• Vehicle thefts, purse snatching, and theft from vehicles occur in areas frequented by foreigners. 

Actions to Take:

• Avoid walking alone, especially after dark.
• Avoid displaying cash and valuables like watches, jewelry, or smart phones. 
• Vary your routes and travel times and let someone know your daily routine 
• Dress conservatively.
• Drive with doors and windows locked and windows rolled up. 
• Keep valuables out of sight and do not use cell phones or laptops while stopped in traffic. Criminals may brandish guns or use smash and grab tactics to steal valuables.
• Travel with a certified copy of your U.S. passport and Angolan visa to prevent theft of the originals. Keep original documents in a secure location. 

Scams: Internet romance and financial scams are prevalent in Angola. Review the Department of State’s Protecting Yourself from Scams and the FBI pages for information.

Victims of Crime: Report crimes to the local police at 111 or 113 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +244-222-64-1000. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crime.

Due to the prevalence of HIV/AIDS, victims of violent crime, especially rape, are strongly encouraged to seek immediate medical assistance. 

Review our webpage on help for U.S. victims of crime overseas.

We can: 

• Help you find appropriate medical care. 
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police. 
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent. 
• Provide general information regarding the victim’s role during the local investigation and following its conclusion.
• Provide a list of local attorneys. We do not endorse or recommend any specific attorneys.
• Provide information on victim’s compensation programs in the United States. 
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution.
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home. 
• Replace a stolen or lost passport. 

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance. 

Tourism: No formal tourism industry infrastructure is in place on any level. Tourists are considered to be participating in activities at their own risk. Emergency response and subsequent appropriate medical treatment is not available in-country. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.

See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Criminal Penalties: If you break local laws, even if you don't know it, you can be kicked out of the area, arrested, or put in prison. If you want to start a business or work in a job that needs special permits or licenses, you should get information from the local authorities before you start.

You may be taken in for questioning by the police if unable to produce an acceptable form of identification or passport. Convictions for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs result in long prison sentences and heavy fines. Furthermore, some crimes are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of local law. For examples, review our website on crimes against minors abroad and the Department of Justice website.

Photography: It is illegal to take pictures or use binoculars, maps, or GPS near government buildings, military installations, and key infrastructure. Angolan law defines key infrastructure broadly, to include historic or abandoned train stations or airfields, and bridges of any dimension. You could be fined, have your photographic equipment confiscated, and risk detention and arrest. Do not take photos of people without their permission. 

Libel Laws/Slander: Disrespecting government officials is illegal and can lead to detention and/or expulsion from the country.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. Review our webpage for further information. 

Employment: Angolan companies often have trouble transferring funds to foreign bank accounts, which can delay payments to foreign employees. 

Phone Service: Cell phones are the norm and landlines are rare. It is possible to purchase a SIM card locally and use a U.S.-compatible cell phone. The major cellular providers are Africell and Unitel. 

Currency: The kwanza (AOA) is the official currency, and most services, including hospitals, must be prepaid in cash.

• Bills should be new and unblemished.
• Local ATMs (multicaixas) only dispense kwanzas and frequently malfunction or run out of cash.
• While U.S. debit cards can sometimes be used to withdraw local currency at ATMs, there is a low daily limit of about 100,000 kwanzas, with a per-transaction limit of around 40,000.
• American or international credit cards are rarely accepted, except by a few major international hotels in Luanda.
• Carry enough cash to cover your trip and any emergency services (medical, roadside, etc.) that could occur.

Currency Regulations:

• Currency over $10,000 must be declared when entering Angola and when leaving. Amounts over this limit may be seized.  
• Limits may change. Verify with the Angolan Embassy or the National Bank. 
• Show your original declaration form to the airport customs officials to export currency over the authorized limit. You may not export more money than you entered with. 
• Destruction of kwanza notes is illegal. 

Faith-Based Travelers: Review the following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report – see country reports
• Human Rights Report – see country reports

International Volunteers:

• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

Gay and Lesbian Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on consensual same-sex sexual relations or the organization of events in Angola. However, societal biases against individuals on the basis of their sexual orientation do sometimes result in discrimination, violence, and/or abuse. Same-sex couples have been harassed. Travelers should be cautious prior to meeting someone from an online dating application due to the possibility of harassment and violence.

Review our Gay and Lesbian Traveler Information page and section 6 of our Human Rights report for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities: Persons with disabilities in Angola face limited access to transportation, public buildings, hotels, and communication accommodations, particularly outside the capital. There are few sidewalks and no curb-cuts, and many buildings lack elevators. Major hotels in Luanda have ramps.

See our Travelers with Disabilities page.

Students:  Review our Students Abroad page and FBI travel tips for U.S. students.

Women Travelers: Statistics on prosecutions for violence against women are not available. Most rape cases are not prosecuted. Domestic violence counseling centers, shelters, and various treatment centers and free legal assistance are available to victims.

Review our travel tips for Women Travelers. 

For emergency services in Angola, dial 111, or 112 for an ambulance.

Ambulance services are

• Not present throughout the country or are unreliable in most areas except in Luanda
• Not equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment
• Not staffed with trained paramedics and often have little or no medical equipment
• Injured or seriously ill travelers may prefer to take a UGO taxi or private vehicle to the nearest major hospital rather than wait for an ambulance.

Review our Health Abroad page for more information.

• Check the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Traveler Advice for Angola.
  • Review all sub-sections. These include Travel Health Notices, Vaccines and Medicines, Non-Vaccine-Preventable Diseases, Stay Healthy and Safe, Healthy Travel Packing List, and After Your Trip.
• We highly recommend that all travelers review the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Travelers’ Health page. CDC Traveler Advice provides advice on medical considerations including:
  • Reasons for Travel (for example: Adventure Travel, Spring Break Travel)
  • Travelers with Special Considerations (for example: Allergies, Long-Term Travelers and Expatriates)
  • General Tips (for example: Traveling with Medications, Travel Vaccines)

The following diseases are prevalent in Angola:  

• Dengue fever
• Malaria
• Yellow fever 
• Cholera

Other diseases are rabies, typhoid fever, traveler’s diarrhea, Chikugunya, Zika, marine hazards, Tuberculosis, Schistosomiasis, and Hepatitis C. 

The Department of State, U.S. embassies, and U.S. consulates do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas.  Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. Review our Insurance Overseas page for more information on insurance providers with overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Travel Insurance page for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation.  

Always carry prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. Bring preventative and over-the-counter medicines for the duration of your visit. Check with the Embassy of Angola to verify your medications are legal before you travel. 

Vaccinations: Be up-to-date on all vaccinations recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Further health information:  

• World Health Organization (WHO)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention | CDC

Air Quality: Air pollution can be a significant problem in many destinations overseas.

• Check NASA’s Air Quality Forecast. It uses AI, historical data, and global pollution models to create a 3-day air quality forecast for Angola.
• For information about common air pollutants, check the CDC’s Air Quality page.
• For information about the U.S. Air Quality Index and health guidance, check out the EPA’s AirNow.
• For general health information, visit the Your Health Abroad page.

The U.S. Embassy maintains a list of doctors and hospitals. We do not endorse or recommend any specific medical provider or clinic.

Health facilities in general: Medical facilities and services, including emergency care, are severely limited outside of Luanda and do not meet U.S. standards.

• In Luanda, some private clinics offer modern medical equipment, internationally trained staff, and 24-hour emergency services including ambulances.
• Quality and consistency of medical care varies greatly, even at private clinics.
• Hospitals and doctors require cash payment up front prior to service or admission. Credit card payment is not available.

Water Quality & Food Safety: In many areas, tap water is not potable. Bottled water and beverages are generally safe. You should be aware that many restaurants and hotels serve tap water unless bottled water is specifically requested. Be aware that ice for drinks may be made using tap water.

Adventure Travel: Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Adventure Travel website for more information about Adventure Travel.

Road Conditions and Safety: Major roads between Luanda and the provincial capitals are improving, but road conditions remain poor.

• There are no or only limited sidewalks and pedestrian infrastructure.
• People and animals often walk on roadsides or interfere with traffic.
• Large potholes reduce driving speeds and may limit main roads to single lanes.
• Drunk driving is a problem.
• Other hazards include:
  • Potholes
  • Ignored or non-working traffic signals
  • Speeding and erratic driving habits
  • Poorly maintained vehicles with no headlights, taillights, or brake lights
• During the rainy season, November-April, roads and bridges become impassable and landmines may be displaced to roadways from known minefields.

When driving outside of Luanda major routes are paved in most areas and have gas stations and other roadside services. Driving during daylight hours is recommended.

• A four-wheel-drive vehicle may be necessary on secondary roads outside of Luanda.
• Some roads are often unpaved and are impassable with a low-clearance vehicle.

Traffic Laws: You will need an international driving permit or Angolan driver’s license to drive. You may use a U.S. license for up to one month. 

Checkpoints: Both inside and around Luanda, police set up spontaneous roadblocks to check vehicle documentation. They may also solicit bribes or request immediate payment for alleged minor infractions. Police and military officials are sometimes undisciplined, but avoid challenging their authority:

• Make sure all vehicle documentation is available for inspection. 
• Resist paying bribes. Politely ask for a ticket or for the officer’s name and badge number if no violation is alleged. Ask to contact the U.S. Embassy if you are not let go.
• Remain inside your vehicle with doors locked. Open your window slightly to communicate. 
• Carry color photocopies of your passport and other identity documents to present to security or police officials. 
• Report any incident to the U.S. Embassy.

Accidents: In the event of an automobile accident, remain at the scene until police arrive. 

If a crowd gathers or you feel in danger, leave the scene and proceed directly to the nearest police station to report the incident. 

• Do not stop at the scene of an accident where people have gathered, as mobs can develop quickly. 

Landmines: Use caution in remote areas or off main roads outside Luanda. Landmines are most common in the southern provinces, including:

• Bie
• Cuando
• Cubango
• Cuanza Sul
• Moxico
• Huila

Public Transportation: Most public transportation is unregulated, unreliable, and generally unsafe:

• Avoid public transportation in multi-passenger vans (known as candongueiros) or on motorcycles (known as taxistas).
• Only hire private transport from reliable sources.
• U.S. Embassy personnel are only authorized to use UGO ride service.

 See our Road Safety page for more information. 

Aviation Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Angola’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with international standards for aviation safety oversight. FAA's website includes more information on its assessment program.

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Angola should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts. Information may also be posted to the U.S. Coast Guard homeport website, and the NGA broadcast warning website.