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Travel Forum / Destinations / Africa / August 2008Securing Visa for Angola
Does anyone here have any experience successfully securing a visa from Angola? I've been looking into it, but they are very strict on their requirement. With Tanzania and Kenya, I'm not worried at all about my visa application because I figure the chances of being accepted are reasonably good if I have all the documentation. Angola wants proof of funds (not a problem), a letter of invitation (I might be able to get that from someone who lives there, not an Angolan native, but that's okay). They also want return/onward plane ticket, and proof of visa for the next country i'm going to. I don't need a visa for the next country I'm going to because I'll be leaving Africa at that point and returning home via the EU. With the plane ticket, if I book my ticket to leave from Luanda, then I'm really stuck in a bad place if they deny my visa because my ticket home will be useless. Someone may suggest I buy refundable tickets, but I generally purchase on expedia for good rates. I'm not sure if I booked through the airline direct (South African Airways) if they would let me change the location of my departure should things not work out. Would like advice. Never had to get a visa to travel. Most seem to be pretty straightfoward but Angola has thrown me for a loop. For one, I can't get it at the border upon arrival at all (unlike every other country on my itinerary), so it must be approved in advance. Thanks, S. > Does anyone here have any experience successfully securing a visa from > Angola? I've been looking into it, but they are very strict on their [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > can't get it at the border upon arrival at all (unlike every other > country on my itinerary), so it must be approved in advance. Seems pretty straight forward applying for an Angolan visa in the UK. See http://www.angola.org.uk/visa_ordinary.htm No different in fact than applying for a Russian visa. Gerry > Seems pretty straight forward applying for an Angolan visa in the UK. > Seehttp://www.angola.org.uk/visa_ordinary.htm > No different in fact than applying for a Russian visa. I'm in Canada, but I can't imagine that makes much of a difference. You're right to compare it to a Russian visa as they both have the same letter of invitation requirements. That's one thing I'm a little concerned on, does that mean someone I know who lives there can simply invite me? Even though I will stay at one of the best hotels (or should I say, one of the only hotels in Luanda). The only other way I can see getting the letter of invitation is to join some kind of tour. I'll consider it, but it's bound to be prohibitively expensive. I've already been looking at tours within Namibia and to Botswana/Zimbabwe. I was hoping only to spend three days in Luanda before flying home. I guess what you're saying is Russian visa has the same problems, you need exiting plane ticket (they might require an entry one too to confirm your arrival date). I never went to Russia because of the complications with getting a visa and booking travel there. I'm hoping that I won't have to pass up Angola for the same reason. Anyone ever hear of someone being refused the visa after they meet all the requirements and apply? (And purchased plane tickets). Cheers, S. On Aug 15, 4:02 pm, "Gerald Oliver Swift" <gosw...@hotmail.com> wrote: > Seems pretty straight forward applying for an Angolan visa in the UK. > Seehttp://www.angola.org.uk/visa_ordinary.htm > No different in fact than applying for a Russian visa. I'm in Canada, but I can't imagine that makes much of a difference. You're right to compare it to a Russian visa as they both have the same letter of invitation requirements. That's one thing I'm a little concerned on, does that mean someone I know who lives there can simply invite me? Even though I will stay at one of the best hotels (or should I say, one of the only hotels in Luanda). Proof of pre-paid accommodation in Russia is equivalent to a "letter of invitation".and is accepted by Russian visa issuing authorities. Perhaps the same is true for Angola. You would need to check this with the Angolan emabassy in Ottawa. http://www.embangola-can.org/ The only other way I can see getting the letter of invitation is to join some kind of tour. I'll consider it, but it's bound to be prohibitively expensive. I've already been looking at tours within Namibia and to Botswana/Zimbabwe. I was hoping only to spend three days in Luanda before flying home. I don't imagine for one minute that you're the first independent traveller to go to Angola. Talk to the their Embassy - they are there to help you. I guess what you're saying is Russian visa has the same problems, you need exiting plane ticket (they might require an entry one too to confirm your arrival date). I never went to Russia because of the complications with getting a visa and booking travel there. Actually, it's really quite easy. I've been several times (and never once been asked to produce a return air ticket). I'm hoping that I won't have to pass up Angola for the same reason. Anyone ever hear of someone being refused the visa after they meet all the requirements and apply? (And purchased plane tickets). Why would they - providing you meet all their requirements. They are probably glad to have a few tourists about these days! Gerry >I'm hoping >that I won't have to pass up Angola for the same reason. Anyone ever [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > >Gerry Actually, they don't give a dingo's testicle for a tourist in Luanda. The bureacracy in Angola in mind-numbingly staggering. I don't know of anyone offering tours in Luanda (there are tours commencing in Namibia and heading upwards, but I doubt if there's much around Luanda. Unless you have a very specific reason for visiting Luanda, I can't actually recommen that you go there. I've been there many times, and Luanda is a busy, filthy, overcrowded, dangerous, and chaotic city. Hotels are ludicrously overpriced, and even with a FIRM, PRE-PAID hotel reservation you will find that you get to the hotel and there's no room available. I've had that happen twice at the Tropico Hotel which is the best hotel in Luanda. The Ilha (a spit of land in the harbour) is quite nice to visit, but the food is overpriced, lousy quality, and just getting to the Ilha is a two-hour drive through the worst traffic imaginable. Generally, the restaurants in Luanda are lacklustre and expensive. Service levels are shocking, and they make absolutely no attempt to welcome tourists. If you're determined to go to Luanda, make sure you have a Yellow Fever innoculation certificate and a visa. Visas are expensive too. You could apply for a visa while in Johannesburg. It takes about three days, and I've never had one refused. Marc. |
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