Angola: do South Africans need a visa?

South Africans don't need a visa for Angola. You can stay up to 30 days per visit.

Visa-free for tourism. The SME e-Visa portal lists South Africa among countries exempt for tourist stays. Bilateral SA–Angola exemption in force since 1 December 2017.1 5

Before you travel

Purpose of visit

Tourism only. Work, study and business need advance authorisation or a visa (FCDO). The GSA describes the entry as a 'visa on arrival' stamp valid 30 days.1 3 6

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Passport validity

At least 6 months after arrival, with at least 2 blank pages (FCDO); The GSA says 3 blank pages.3 6

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

How to apply

No application for tourism stays within the limits. For other purposes, or stays beyond 30 days per entry or 90 per year, apply via the SME e-Visa portal (smevisa.gov.ao, which redirects to evisa.ao): processing about 72 hours, processing fee payable online (amount not shown).1

Confirmed on an official government source

Where South Africans apply

Not needed for exempt tourism. For visas: SME e-Visa portal, or Embassy of the Republic of Angola, 1030 Francis Baard St, Pretoria (tel +27 12 342 0049/50, visas@angolanembassy.org).1 6

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Travel insurance

Not published by official sources

Return or onward ticket

The GSA lists a return ticket and itinerary.6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Proof of funds

The GSA lists 3 months of bank statements.6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Accommodation or invitation

The GSA lists a hotel booking confirmation.6

Not yet confirmed by an official source

Vaccinations, including yellow fever on return to South Africa

ANGOLA: yellow fever certificate expected at entry (The GSA calls it compulsory; Angola is a yellow fever risk country). RETURN TO SOUTH AFRICA: Angola is on South Africa's yellow fever risk-country list. South African Department of Health / DIRCO rules require every traveller over 1 year old (South Africans included) arriving from a risk country, or transiting a risk-country airport for more than 12 hours, to show a valid yellow fever certificate (vaccine at least 10 days before departure; certificates are valid for life). Without one you may be refused entry or quarantined for up to 6 days. FCDO specifically warns you'll need a certificate for onward travel to South Africa.3 7 8 6

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Arrival forms

Not published by official sources

Extending your stay and overstaying

Overstay fine of AOA 15,000 per day, plus possible deportation and delays on departure.3

Confirmed by other governments' official advice

Transit

Not published by official sources

Travelling with children

Not published by official sources

What changed

29 September 2023Presidential Decree 189/23 extended visa exemption to 98 countries (South Africa was already exempt under the 2017 bilateral agreement).

Sources

Official

The destination's own government

1Serviço de Migração e Estrangeiros (SME), Angola – e-Visa portal (reached via redirect from smevisa.gov.ao) evisa.ao

Other government

Official advice from other governments

3UK FCDO gov.uk
7National Department of Health, South Africa health.gov.za
8DIRCO (South African High Commission, Canberra) dirco.gov.za

Reference

Used to find official sources, never the final word

5Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org

Commercial

Visa agencies, law firms and travel companies

6The GSA (South African visa agency) thegsa.co.za

Last researched 5 October 2026. Rules change; confirm with the embassy before you book.