If you are thinking of working in Angola you need to know right now that Angola is a country where getting a work permit is a very complex, timely and inconsistent process. We try to give you some guidelines in this article and to point out the red flags.
Specific work visa (Oil & Gas Sector)
As the main industry attracting migrant workers to Angola, is oil and gas, the majority of work permit applicants would apply for a specific work visa (Oil & Gas Sector).
Employees working in the oil and gas sector in Angola may obtain work visas in-country, initially entering the territory on a short term visit or “ordinary visa” (obtained in their country of residence).
The sponsor – or Angolan employing entity – must file for a temporary work visa application with the Ministry of Petroleum in Luanda, Angola.
Process for obtaining a work permit:
Getting a work permit in Angola is far from being easy.
Processes and requirements vary according to the labour market situation at the time of application, the type of work permit being applied for, the nationality of the applicant, the country of application and personal circumstances of the assignee and any family dependants.
Work visas for oil and gas employees will generally involve an application for a work permit through the Ministry of Migration and Foreigners Services (SME), followed, a few weeks later, by an application for a letter of invitation for an ordinary/work visa. This letter of invitation must be stamped by the relevant Ministry before the assignee can even approach the Angolan Consulate in their country of residence to apply for an ordinary visa to enter Angola for up to 30 days.
If the work permit is not issued during the assignee’s 30 days in Angola they will need to leave the country and re-enter on a new ordinary visa.
A work visa is usually issued for a period of up to 12 months and is extendable twice in country.
Documents required for a work permit:
Here again, no constant rule; it will vary according to the labour market at the time of application, the type of work permit being applied for, the nationality of the applicant, the country of application and personal circumstances of the assignee and any family dependants.
Applicants will be required to submit various personal and corporate documents.
All foreign documents must be translated into Portuguese and legalised by the appropriate authorities and the Angolan Consulate before the work visa application can be made with the Ministry and Consulate.
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