If your company chooses to expand to Angola, you’ll need to hire new talent or bring trusted employees with you to help you run your new location. All nationals from other countries coming to Angola for work must obtain a work permit. Plus, the country has certain requirements for quotas that companies must adhere to. For example, a company can only employ a maximum of 30% non-nationals.
Types of work visas in Angola
Every international employee who gets a work contract from a company registered in Angola must apply for a work visa. Work visas allow individuals to stay in the country for up to 12 months and can be renewed for the duration of the international employee’s contract. Visas are valid only for the professional activity outlined in the work contract, and types vary based on the activity mentioned. The following are some examples:
- Type C work visa: For international employees in the petroleum or civil construction industries.
- Type D work visa: For international employees entering commercial, industrial, or fishing sectors.
Companies must apply for work permits on behalf of employees.
Requirements to obtain Angola work visas
Internationals trying to secure a job in Angola must have certain professional, technical, or scientific skills that Angola doesn’t have. That means the ability to hire international employees depends on how many local citizens are available to fill your open jobs. Both domestic and international employers can employ non-residents as long as their workforce includes 70% of local workers.
Some additional requirements for international workers include:
- Having no criminal record
- Not having been an Angolan national in the past
- Never having received a scholarship from an Angola entity or international company working in Angola
- Having an employment contract or the promise of employment
- Having a certificate showing all necessary qualifications
- Being at least 18 years old
Application process
All international employees must apply for their work visa at an Angolan consulate. Required documents include a letter from the company — addressed to the Embassy — the completed application forms, a photocopy of the applicant’s passport, and 3 passport-size photos. Other necessary paperwork includes:
- A declaration that the applicant will abide by Angola’s laws
- An employment contract
- A criminal record from the applicant’s country of residence
- A certificate showing good health from an official health institution in the country of residence
- Academic and professional certificates
- A curriculum vitae
- Proof of the company’s legal status in Angola
All of these documents must be translated into Portuguese by an official translator and legalized by a public notary, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, or an Angolan embassy.
Other important considerations
The law states that all Angola work visas must be issued within 15 days, but authorities often take about 2 to 3 months. Angola work visas are valid for the length of the employment agreement.
Employees may also apply for a permanent residence permit if they have been living in the country for 10 consecutive years on a temporary residence permit. The permanent residence must be renewed every 5 years.
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