Angola is moving to simplify its visa procedures to make travel easier for foreign workers and business visitors, particularly those involved in the energy and natural resources sectors.
A recent circular issued by the Ministry of Mineral Resources, Petroleum and Gas (MIREMPET) outlines new rules that change how Border Visas and Short-Term Visas (STV) are processed.
The update aims to reduce paperwork and speed up visa approvals.
Under the new guidance, applicants seeking a Border Visa will no longer need to obtain a pre-approval letter from MIREMPET before submitting their request.
Instead, applications can now be sent directly to the Migration and Foreigners Service (SME).
Officials say removing this extra step should make the application process quicker once the system becomes fully operational.
However, authorities confirmed that Border Visa applications are temporarily not being processed while the two agencies finalize the updated system.
Changes also apply to Short-Term Visa (STV) applicants.
Previously, invitation letters had to be approved by MIREMPET before being submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Under the updated procedure, applicants can now send their invitation letters directly to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for endorsement, eliminating another administrative step.
Officials expect this change to shorten processing times and simplify documentation requirements.
The new rules mainly affect travelers visiting Angola for short business trips, meetings, or technical work, especially in sectors such as oil, gas, and mining.
Once fully implemented, the updated system is expected to:
Authorities say the reforms show Angola’s effort to modernize its visa system and support industries linked to natural resources.
While Border Visa processing remains temporarily paused, officials say updates will be announced once the new system becomes fully operational.
Travelers planning business visits to Angola are advised to monitor further announcements before submitting applications.