Angolan Visa en route?

[Gottoride]

Hi!
Does anyone know where I can apply for the Angolan visa en route to South Africa if travelling through west Africa? I know that Matadi in the DRC was always the place and have read that it may be possible in Abuja, Nigeria - can anyone confirm and also put a date to such successful application, please?

[Edited 1 minute later...] And how long did you have to wait for it? Cost info also welcome!

Thanks and safe travels!
Kobus
One ball One continent

[javierCarrion]

I got it at matadi (DRC) 30 Dollars in 24 h . . However It was a bit tricky to get into DRC without an ongoing -angolan- visa. I produced some very well made "permit" from the "high commisioner of Angolan' embassy" , printed in colour ,etc..etc and I got trough Kinshasas' border.

Other people were sent back. However, most of them managed to get into DRC thought Mindouli.

[Gottoride]

Thanks, that's partly good news.
Did you already have a visa for the DRC when you got there OR was the difficulty to get the DRC visa at the border without have a visa for a country further down the line? And when were you there?
Thanks!
Kobus

[javierCarrion]

hi , you can get a DRC visa on Brazzaville , 24h, 30.000 XFO , that's no problem. you need to go to brazza anyway so not big deal.

I was there in June 2006, and in August 2009 .

Good luck.

[Gottoride]

Thanks, Javier - that's great news!
Kobus

[WillCalderwood]

Abuja is a safer place to get it, although it's $100 and a 3 day wait. Depends if you want to avoid hassles at the DRC border or not.

[Gottoride]

Hi Will,

Thanks, and I agree - I'd rather get that visa here in Pretoria before the trip. The thread was really about the Angolan visa which will have expired by the time I get to Angola if I get it here before going on the trip.

It seems the basic principle with (at least African visas) is that if there is an Embassy or Consular representative in your own country it is best to apply for the visa in your own country.

Thanks again,
Kobus

[nicolasrapp]

What about getting Angola visa in South Africa? possible?

[Gottoride]

Hi Nicolasrapp,

Yes, definitely possible but in the past it took 20 days to be issued because applications are sent to Angola to be approved. Apparently they recently managed to get the process down to 10 days or so. Whatever Angolan visa I apply for (5-day transit or 30-day tourist) will expire within 60 days from date of issue, so I won't get there in time as I'll be riding down from Europe and not up from SA.

At the link following link you will find contact details and addresses for consulates/embassies/high commissions in South Africa, but note that the page gives the visa requirements for SOUTH AFRICANS - could be useful for some though. Guidelines to Industry Relating to the Process of the Authentication of Foreign End User Certificates (EUC's) for Goods Exported from South Africa to Foreign Countries

Safe riding!
Kobus

[javierCarrion]

hi
I would like to point out that the Angolan visa is almost impossible to fake.

*unlike DRC ,TChad , Gabon ,etc* which is just a rubber stamp thing

The angola Visa has holograms , embosses (sp ?) and It is computer controlled (as in Australia ) . upon exit on the airport -for example- It is scanned , and checked against the database of real visas issued. So -unlike other simpler to fake ones- Angolan one is almost impossible.

[Matt Roach]

The cost of the Angolan transit visa in Abuja is now only $30US, rather than $100US.

The process is relatively painless and it is available in three days (drop off Monday, return Wed). There is another post with the address details of the embassy etc in the sub saharan section.

[Gottoride]

Thanks Matt - good news indeed!

Any recommendations for stuff to do in Abuja while waiting for the visa?

Kobus

[dajg]

is there anywhere else to get angola visa headed northbound from south africa, to avoid even a 10 day wait? can it be obtained in namibia?