Work permits for Angola are granted to expats who are employed by an Angolan company or the Angolan government. Holders of a work visa can stay in the country for the duration of their work contract (usually up to 12 months) and are allowed multiple entries into the country. Expats are restricted to the job for which the visa was issued, and are only allowed to work for the employer who requested the visa. 

It's important to note that Angolan work visas don't allow the holder to establish residence, and expats who want to live in the country permanently need to apply for a residence permit for Angola.

Applying for a work permit for Angola

The work permit process is quite complex and the hiring company usually acts as the applicant's sponsor and makes all the necessary arrangements for the visa application. It’s also the employer's responsibility to notify the appropriate authority of any change in the duration of the employee's contract.

Expats will need various documents to apply for a work permit for Angola, most of which will need to be photocopied, notarised and translated into Portuguese. Expats should note that companies are required to prove that there are no locals who can fill the role the expat is being hired for before they can be employed.

*Visa regulations and requirements for work permits are subject to change at short notice and expats should contact their respective embassy or consulate for the latest details.

Further reading

►For more about work opportunities in the country see Working in Angola

Are you an expat living in Angola?

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