Local Laws

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Angola, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. Persons violating Angola’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Angola are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. In Angola, driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. If you break local laws in Angola, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution.

There are also some things that might be legal in Angola but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted in the United States for engaging in sexual conduct with children or for using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country regardless of the legality of these activities under that country’s laws. Counterfeit and pirated goods are illegal in the United States, and if you purchase them in a foreign country you may be breaking local law as well.

Under Angolan law, disrespecting government officials is illegal and can lead to expulsion from the country. Recently, a U.S. family working and living in Angola had their passports confiscated for several weeks by Angolan authorities after family members began to complain to immigration officials about the amount of time it was taking to process their visas and passports at the airport. U.S. citizens should carefully consider this law before speaking out against the Government of Angola.

While some countries will automatically notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate if a U.S. citizen is detained or arrested in a foreign country, that might not always be the case. To ensure that the United States is aware of your circumstances, identify yourself immediately as a U.S. citizen and request that the police and prison officials notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as you are arrested or detained overseas.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES:

Customs Regulations - Angolan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Angola of sensitive items including firearms, antiquities, and currency. If you are planning to bring in any of these items, you should contact the Embassy of Angola in Washington, D.C. or one of Angola's consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Financial Transactions - Angola is generally a cash-only economy; traveler’s checks and U.S. credit cards are not commonly accepted outside the capital of Luanda. In Luanda, credit cards are accepted in limited circumstances, namely at large hotels and large grocery stores. Despite a major campaign to expand credit card acceptance, such payment has yet to become common beyond the capital city. In general, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are only accessible to those individuals who hold accounts with local banks. While dollars are generally accepted for most commercial transactions in Luanda and in all provincial capitals, please note that new government policies dictate that all transactions should take place in Angolan Kwanza. You should carry a sufficient supply of money with you during your travels. In general, only the newer series U.S. dollar bills are accepted. U.S. dollars can be converted to local currency at exchange businesses authorized by the Angolan government, but the scarcity of dollars in the local economy may make it difficult to convert local currency back into U.S. dollars upon exit.

Personal Identification - You should carry a certified copy of your U.S. passport and Angolan visa with you at all times so that you can provide proof of identity and U.S. citizenship if questioned by local officials. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Luanda can prepare copies of U.S. passports at no charge. To avoid the risk of theft or confiscation of original documentation, you should keep your passport in a secure place and carry only a certified copy.

Labor and Business Disputes - U.S. citizen performers, managers, booking agents, and promoters traveling to Angola to perform and facilitate events should be aware that serious allegations have been made against Angolan talent agencies making arrangements for foreign performers. These allegations include several charges of breach of contract and the forcible retention of passports and persons. In some cases, U.S. citizens have not been allowed to leave the country until such disputes are settled. You should be sure of the reputation of any agency with which you choose to work. It may be useful for you to contact performers who have previously worked in Angola and are familiar with agencies in Angola. Feel free to contact the U.S. Embassy directly for further information. If you experience any incidents of this nature in Angola you should report them to the local Angolan police and the U.S. Embassy.

Long Delays in Renewal of Visas - If you opt to renew your work or other visa while in Angola, you should expect delays of at least 10 weeks and often more, during which time the Angolan immigration authorities will retain your passport and you will not be able to travel. You should plan your travel and visa renewals carefully to avoid complications. If you must travel during this time, it may be possible to apply for and obtain a second passport. Check here for more information about Second Passport Requirements.

Hotel Availability - Hotels are limited in Angola, and demand for the limited number of rooms is high and the cost of these accommodations is extremely high. Hotels are often booked months in advance, especially in Luanda. Only a few large hotels in Luanda accept credit cards; hotels in the provinces generally do not accept credit cards. Adequate hotels are found in most provincial capitals, but some provide limited amenities.

WOMEN TRAVELER INFORMATION: If you are a woman traveling abroad, please review our travel tips for Women Travelers.

LGBT RIGHTS: Consensual same–sex sexual relations are criminalized in Angola. Penalties include fines, jail time, or labor. Although the U.S. Embassy is not aware of any recent arrests or prosecutions for such activities, they remain illegal. There have been isolated reports of same-sex couples being harassed in country. For more detailed information about LGBT rights in Angola, you may review the State Department’s Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014. For further information on LGBT travel, please read our LGBT Travel Information page.

ACCESSIBLITY: Accessibility and accommodations in Angola for individuals with disabilities are poor. Roads and sidewalk infrastructure are poorly maintained and there are virtually no wheelchair-access ramps for sidewalks. There is no legislation that mandates any accommodations be made for persons with disabilities. While major hotels do have wheelchair-accessible ramps, most facilities make no such accommodations. If accessibility is a concern, please check with potential hotels and/or travel agencies before booking.