Angola

Americans planning travel to Angola should read the Travel Warning for Angola and the current Worldwide Caution Public Announcement, available on the Bureau of Consular Affairs web site at http://travel.state.gov.

October 21, 2003

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Angola is a large, developing country in southern Africa. After gaining independence from Portugal in 1975, it was engulfed in a civil conflict that lasted for more than a quarter century. A cease-fire was called in April 2002, two months after the death of UNITA leader Jonas Savimbi, and, on November 21, 2002, the government and former rebels signed a peace agreement that definitively ended the conflict. Fighting has ended in all areas of the country except for the Cabinda enclave, and there are growing signs of economic recovery. Nevertheless, major problems remain with virtually every element of infrastructure and government service throughout the country, including communications, roads, and basic education and health services. Facilities for tourism, particularly outside the capital of Luanda, are extremely limited.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: A passport and visa, which must be obtained in advance, and an International Certificate of Vaccination, are required. Persons arriving without visas are subject to possible arrest and/or exclusion. Travelers may also encounter delays if they do not have at least one completely blank page available in their passports for entry and exit stamps. Travelers whose international immunization cards do not show inoculations against yellow fever within the past ten years may be subject to involuntary vaccinations and/or heavy fines. Visitors remaining in Angola beyond their authorized visa duration are subject to fines and possible arrest. Current information on entry requirements may be obtained from the Embassy of Angola at 2108 16th Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. (202) 785-1156, fax (202) 822-9049.

In an effort to combat international child abduction, many governments have initiated procedures at entry/exit points. These often include requiring documentary evidence of relationship and permission for the child’s travel from the parent(s) or legal guardian not present. Having such documentation on hand, even if not required, may facilitate entry/departure.

SAFETY AND SECURITY: The security situation in Angola has improved markedly since the end of the civil war; however, Americans should still exercise caution. Although the war has ended, the possibility of banditry and extensive use of land mines during the war make ground travel throughout Angola problematic. Frequent checkpoints and poor infrastructure contribute to unsafe travel on roads outside of the city. Police and military are unpredictable, and their authority should not be challenged. Travel in many parts of Luanda is relatively safe by day, but car doors should be locked, windows rolled up, and packages stored out of sight. Visitors are strongly advised to avoid unnecessary travel after dark, and no travel should be undertaken on roads outside of cities after nightfall.

Although the civil war between the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) and the Government of Angola has ended, the ongoing low-level insurgency group, Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC), active in Cabinda province has a history of threatening foreign nationals with kidnapping. Throughout Angola, taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest, including government buildings, may result in problems with authorities and should therefore be avoided.

CRIME INFORMATION: Violent crime occurs regularly throughout Angola. While most of the violent crime occurs between Angolans, foreigners have occasionally been attacked as well. Street crime is common in all areas of Luanda, at all hours. Because of armed robberies and car-jackings, travelers are cautioned against airport arrivals after dark. Before arrival, ensure that you have arranged for reliable transportation from the airport. Use only the regulated taxi service at the airport and in Luanda; unregulated taxis are unsafe, a high crime risk, and should not be used.

Motorists should stop at all police checkpoints if so ordered. Police officers, often while still in uniform, have been known to participate in shakedowns, muggings, and carjackings.

There have been police operations against illegal aliens and private companies resulting in the deportation of foreign nationals and the loss of personal and company property. In rare cases, foreigners have been forced to sign statements renouncing property claims in Angola before being deported. Independent entrepreneurs in Angola should carry all relevant immigration and business documents at all times.

Travelers should be alert to a number of scams perpetrated by Luanda airport personnel. Immigration and customs officials sometimes detain foreigners without cause, demanding gratuities before allowing them to enter or depart Angola. Airport health officials sometimes threaten arriving passengers with "vaccinations" with unsterilized instruments if gratuities are not paid. Forced entry into travelers’ checked baggage is common; travelers are advised to take precautions against this possibility. Travelers should also be sure to have checked luggage receipts ready to display upon exiting the airport.

The loss or theft abroad of a U.S. passport should be reported immediately to local police and to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. U.S. citizens may refer to the Department of State's pamphlet "A Safe Trip Abroad" for ways to promote a more trouble-free journey. The pamphlet is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing office, Washington, D.C. 20402, via the Internet at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/index.html, or via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page at http://travel.state.gov.

MEDICAL FACILITIES: Adequate medical facilities are virtually nonexistent anywhere in Angola except Luanda, where there are some good private clinics that usually have a 24-hour service under a general practitioner physician with specialists on call. The U.S. Embassy in Luanda can provide specific contact information for such facilities. Routine operations such as appendectomies can be performed. Still, many types of medicine are not available.

MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges Americans to consult with their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to confirm whether their policy applies overseas and whether it will cover emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. U.S. medical insurance plans seldom cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased. Further, U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. However, many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.

When making a decision regarding health insurance, Americans should consider that many foreign doctors and hospitals require payment in cash prior to providing service and that a medical evacuation to the U.S. may cost well in excess of $50,000. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas often face extreme difficulties. When consulting with your insurer prior to your trip, ascertain whether payment will be made to the overseas healthcare provider or whether you will be reimbursed later for expenses you incur. Some insurance policies also include coverage for psychiatric treatment and for disposition of remains in the event of death.

Useful information on medical emergencies abroad, including overseas insurance programs, is provided in the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs brochure “Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad,” available via the Bureau of Consular Affairs home page or autofax:
(202) 647-3000.

OTHER HEALTH INFORMATION: Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via the CDC’s Internet site at http://www.cdc.gov/travel. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s website at http://www.who.int/ith. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/iht.

TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Angola is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance:

Safety of Public Transportation: Poor
Urban Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Rural Road Conditions/Maintenance: Poor
Availability of Roadside Assistance: Poor

Until early 2002, destinations in the interior were accessible safely only by private or chartered aircraft. Since the end of the civil war, overland access to the interior has increased. However, civilians have encountered problems with bandits while traveling overland and land mines continue to be a very real threat. Overland routes to neighboring countries are frequently not open.

Traffic in Luanda is consistently heavy and often chaotic; roads are generally in poor condition. Few intersections have traffic lights or police to direct the flow of vehicles. Drivers routinely fail to obey traffic lights, lanes and stop signs, and there are frequent breakdowns of badly maintained vehicles. Itinerant vendors and pedestrians often weave in and out of traffic, posing a danger to themselves and to drivers. Beyond a single call-in taxi service, usually available at the airport, all public transportation, including buses and van taxis, should be avoided as the vehicles are generally crowded, unsafe, and unreliable.

Road conditions vary widely outside the capital, from acceptable paved surfaces to virtually impassable dirt roads, particularly on secondary routes. Overloaded vehicles, driving too fast for road conditions, and pedestrians and livestock on the roadway pose hazards for travelers.

For additional information about road safety, see the Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs home page road safety overseas feature at http://travel.state.gov/road safety.html.

AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service by local carriers at present, nor authority to operate such service, between the U.S. and Angola, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed Angola’s civil aviation authority for compliance with international aviation safety standards. FAA is working with Angolan civil aviation and airport authorities to improve security and safety under the “Safe Skies for Africa” program.

For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation within the U.S. at 1-800-322-7873, or visit the FAA Internet home page at http://www.faa.gov/avr/iasa/. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) separately assesses some foreign air carriers for suitability as official providers of air services. For information regarding the DOD policy on specific carriers, travelers may contact DOD at (618) 229-4801.

CUSTOMS REGULATIONS: Angolan customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation into or export from Angola of items such as firearms, antiquities, and currency. It is advisable to contact the Embassy of Angola in Washington or one of Angola’s consulates in the United States for specific information regarding customs requirements.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Angolan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Angola are strict and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. Prison conditions are extremely harsh.

CONSULAR ACCESS: U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their U.S. passports with them at all times, so that, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available. The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Luanda will prepare certified copies of American passports at no charge for individuals who register with the Embassy. The Embassy recommends that Americans keep their passport in a secure place and carry certified copies because Angolan officials have a reputation for holding identity and travel documents hostage in the hopes of receiving bribes for their return.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Angola is generally a cash-only economy; both travelers’ checks and credit cards are of minimal use in Angola. In addition, ATM machines are not available. Therefore, travelers should carry a sufficient supply of U.S. dollars with them. Only the newer series U.S. dollar bills (with large faces) are accepted due to widespread counterfeiting of the older style. U.S. dollars can be converted to local currency at exchange houses authorized by the Angolan government. Rapid fluctuations in the value of the Angolan Kwanza and shortages of U.S. dollars, especially in smaller denominations, are widespread. Kwanzas may not be taken out of the country and travelers are subject to search (often accompanied by confiscation) at the airport.

CHILDREN'S ISSUES: For information on international adoption of children and international parental child abduction, please refer to our Internet site at http://travel.state.gov/children’s_issues.html or telephone (202) 736-7000.

REGISTRATION/EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens are encouraged to register with and obtain updated information on travel and security from the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in Luanda located at the Casa Inglesa Complex, Rua Major Kanhangula No. 132/135, tel. 244-2-371-645 or 396-727; fax 244-2-390-515. The Embassy is located on Rua Houari Boumedienne in the Miramar area of Luanda, P.O. Box 6468, tel. 244-2-447-028/(445-481)/(446-224); (24-hour duty officer 244-92-404-209); fax 244-2-446-924. The Consular section may be contacted by e-mail at luandaconsular@yahoo.com or consularluanda@state.gov. Further information on travel to Angola is also located on the Embassy website at http://angola.usembassy.gov.