Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

1. Overview

Decree No. 3/00 of January 14 (Decreto n.º 3/00 de 14 de Janeiro) provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 4.º
(Right to obtain a passport)

Every Angolan citizen has the right to a national passport, and cannot be refused one for political or other reasons, except in the cases foreseen in Article 32.º of this legal text.

...

ARTICLE 6.º
(National passport categories)

The national passport is issued under one of the following categories:

1. diplomatic;
2. service;
3. ordinary;
4. foreign nationals.

ARTICLE 7.º
(Authority to issue)

The Migration and Foreigners Service is responsible for issuing ordinary and service passports, as well as passports for foreign nationals. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

2. Content, Appearance and Security Features

The US Department of State's Reciprocity Schedule for Angola indicates that the inside front cover of Angolese passports displays the image of "an antelope with a bird on its back and the emblem in the upper left corner" (US n.d.). The EU's Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO) provides images of the inside front cover reflecting this description (EU 2021-07-01a; EU 2021-07-01b; EU 2021-10-04). PRADO indicates that the "biodata page" [found on the inside back cover of the passport (EU 2021-07-01a; EU 2021-07-01b)] features the holder's photograph and personal information (EU 2021-07-01a; EU 2021-07-01b; EU 2021-10-04). The US Reciprocity Schedule similarly notes that the back cover of the passport provides "biographic information" of the passport holder as well as "machine readable information" (US n.d.). PRADO's images of page 1 indicate that it includes a perforated number and a hologram (EU 2021-07-01a; EU 2021-07-01b; EU 2021-10-04). The US Reciprocity Schedule states that "[p]age 2 contains a digital copy of the passport holder[']s thumbprint and the signature" (US n.d.). Similarly, PRADO provides images of page 2, which display a box for a "fingerprint" and a space for a signature (EU 2021-07-01a; EU 2021-07-01b; EU 2021-10-04).

2.1 Ordinary Passport

Decree No. 3/00 of January 14 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 15.º
(Ordinary passport features)

The ordinary passport has the following features:

1. It is black and has the name and insignia of the Republic of Angola on the cover, with the title "passport" in gold.
2. It has 32 pages numbered with a written combination of the letter "N" and a perforated number consisting of seven digits in the top margins of the pages.
3. Page 1 contains a perforated serial number and the security hologram followed by the following sayings in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Republic of Angola";
   2. "Passport";
   3. "This passport is valid for all countries";
   4. "N" followed by the serial number inscription;
   5. "This passport contains 32 numbered pages."
4. Page 2 contains the space reserved for the fingerprint, followed by the following in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Fingerprint, right index finger" (inside the rectangle);
   2. "This document is valid only with the signature and fingerprint of the holder";
   3. "Space for the signature represented by a continuous line followed by the words 'holder's signature'."
5. Pages 3 to 29 contain spaces reserved for visas, and the word "visas" is printed in the bottom margins of the pages in Portuguese and English.
6. Page 30 contains spaces reserved for photographs of the registered parties.
7. Page 31 is titled "children" and contains the words "name," "date of birth" and "sex" in Portuguese and English. It is reserved for the biographical data of the registered parties.
8. Page 32 contains the heading "warning," followed by the text below in Portuguese and English:
   "This passport is the property of the Republic of Angola and can be withdrawn at any time.
   This is an official document that may not be altered in any way, and that may not be placed in the use and possession of another person not mentioned in the passport.
   In case of loss or destruction of the passport, such fact and the circumstances thereof should be immediately reported to the competent authorities or any of the Provincial Governments, the local police, [or] Embassies and Consulates of the Republic of Angola."
9. The inside back cover reads "Republic of Angola," followed by a space for printing, with headings in Portuguese and English, the passport holder's biographical data; identity card number, date of issue and expiry date; signature of the issuing entity and the magnetic stripe. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

PRADO indicates that the ordinary passport measures 88 mm by 125 mm and contains 32 pages, and that its cover is black, flexible, made from plastic material, and embossed through hot foil stamping (EU 2021-10-04). PRADO indicates that the "biodata page" of the ordinary passport includes the following security features: optically variable ink and iridescent ink, which are visible under normal light, as well as a fluorescent overprint which becomes visible under ultraviolet (UV) light (EU 2021-10-04). PRADO provides an image of page 2 which displays a small image of the passport holder above the signature, and below the "fingerprint" space (EU 2021-10-04). PRADO notes that pages 3 to 29 feature a security thread, in which "ANGOLA" is alternately written the "right way round" and "rotated through 180º," and a watermark, both of which are visible through "transmitted light," [which refers to light shining through the page (EU 2022, 140)], and that it also contains a UV feature, which appears under UV light (EU 2021-10-04).

A sample of the ordinary passport is available on PRADO's website (EU 2021-10-04).

2.2 Diplomatic Passport

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 8.º
(Diplomatic passport features)

The diplomatic passport has the following features:

1. It is red in colour and has the name and insignia of the Republic of Angola on the cover, and the title "diplomatic passport" in gold.
2. It has 48 pages numbered with a written combination of the letter "D" and a perforated number consisting of seven digits in the top margins of the pages.
3. Page 1 contains a perforated serial number and the security hologram followed by the text below, in Portuguese and in English:
   
   1. "Republic of Angola";
   2. "Diplomatic passport";
   3. "This passport is valid for all countries";
   4. "D" followed by the serial number inscription;
   5. "This passport contains 48 numbered pages."
4. Page 2 contains the space reserved for the fingerprint, followed by the text below, in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Fingerprint, right index finger" (inside the rectangle);
   2. "This document is valid only with the signature and fingerprint of the holder";
   3. "Signature space represented by a continuous line below which are the words 'holder's signature'."
5. Pages 3 and 4 contain spaces reserved for extensions.
6. Pages 5 to 47 contain spaces reserved for visas, with the word "visas" printed on the bottom margins of the pages, in Portuguese and in English.
7. Page 48 contains the following text in both Portuguese and English:
   "We thank all foreign authorities for allowing the holder of this passport to move freely and for providing them with all assistance in case of need."
8. The inside back cover reads "Republic of Angola," followed by a space for printing, with headings in Portuguese and English, the passport holder's biographical data; identity card number, date of issue and expiry date; signature of the issuing entity and the magnetic stripe.
9. The diplomatic passport contains no annotations.

ARTICLE 9.º
(Applicable regime)

The issuance, granting and use of diplomatic passports are regulated by Decree No. 43/94, of October 28. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

The EU's PRADO indicates that the diplomatic passport measures 88 mm by 125 mm and contains 48 pages, and that its cover is red, flexible, made from plastic material, and embossed through hot foil stamping (EU 2021-07-01a). The same source indicates that the "biodata page" is found on the inside back cover of the passport and has the following security features: a laminate film, a Kinegram [or "computer generated hologram" (EU 2022, 65)] which is visible under normal light, and a fluorescent overprint which appears under UV light (EU 2021-07-01a). PRADO notes that the inner pages of the diplomatic passport feature a watermark, which is visible through "transmitted light," and a UV feature, which appears under UV light (EU 2021-07-01a).

A sample of the diplomatic passport is available on PRADO's website (EU 2021-07-01a).

2.3 Service Passport

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 10.º
(Service passport features)

The service passport has the following features:

1. It is green in colour and has the name and insignia of the Republic of Angola and the title "service passport" in gold.
2. It has 48 pages numbered with a written combination of the letter "S" and a perforated number consisting of seven digits in the top margins of the pages.
3. 3. Page 1 contains a perforated serial number and the security hologram followed by the following text in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Republic of Angola";
   2. "Service passport";
   3. "This passport is valid for all countries";
   4. "S" followed by the serial number inscription;
   5. "This passport contains 48 numbered pages."
4. Page 2 contains the space reserved for the fingerprint, followed by the text below, in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Fingerprint, right index finger" (inside the rectangle);
   2. "This document is valid only with the signature and fingerprint of the holder";
   3. "Space for the signature represented by a continuous line followed by the words (holder's signature)."
5. Pages 3 and 4 contain spaces reserved for extensions.
6. Pages 5 to 47 contain spaces reserved for visas, with the word "visas" printed in the bottom margins of the pages in Portuguese and in English.
7. Page 48 contains the following text in both Portuguese and English:
8. "We thank all foreign authorities for allowing the holder of this passport to move freely and for providing them with all assistance in case of need."
9. The inside back cover reads "Republic of Angola," followed by a space for printing, with headings in Portuguese and English, the passport holder's biographical data; identity card number, date of issue and expiry date; signature of the issuing entity and the magnetic stripe.
10. The service passport does not contain any annotations. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

PRADO indicates that the service passport measures 88 mm by 125 mm and contains 48 pages, and that its cover is green, flexible, made from plastic material, and embossed through hot foil stamping (EU 2021-07-01b). PRADO indicates that the "biodata page" is found on the inside back cover of the passport and has the following security features: a laminate film, optically variable devices (OVD), [or images which display different information, depending on viewing or light conditions (EU 2022, 104)], and a UV light feature (EU 2021-07-01b). PRADO provides an image of page 2 which displays a small image of the passport holder above the signature and below the "fingerprint" space (EU 2021-07-01b). PRADO notes that the inner pages of the service passport contain the following security features: a "substrate" visible through transmitted light, a fluorescent overprint visible under UV light, and a fluorescent security thread visible under UV light (EU 2021-07-01b).

A sample of the service passport is available on PRADO's website (EU 2021-07-01b).

2.4 Passport for Foreigners

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 22.º
(Features of passport for foreign nationals)

The passport for foreign nationals has the following features:

1. It is dark blue and has the name and insignia of the Republic of Angola and the title "Passport for Foreign Nationals" in gold.
2. It has 32 pages numbered with a written combination of the letter "E" and a perforated number consisting of seven digits in the top margins of the pages.
3. Page 1 contains a perforated serial number and the security hologram followed by the following text in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Republic of Angola";
   2. "Passport for foreign nationals";
   3. "This passport is valid for all countries";
   4. "E" followed by the serial number inscription;
   5. "This passport contains 32 numbered pages."
4. Page 2 contains the space reserved for the fingerprint, followed by the text below in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "Fingerprint, right index finger" (inside the rectangle);
   2. "This document is valid only with the signature and fingerprint of the holder";
   3. "Signature space represented by a continuous line underneath which are the words (holder's signature)."
5. Pages 3 to 31 are reserved for visas, and the word "visas" is printed in the bottom margins of the pages in Portuguese and English.
6. Page 32 contains the heading "warning" followed by the text below in Portuguese and English:
   
   1. "This passport is the property of the Republic of Angola and may be withdrawn at any time. It is an official document that must not be altered in any way, and must not be placed in the use and possession of any other person not mentioned in the passport. In the event of loss, theft or destruction of the passport, such fact and the circumstances thereof should be immediately reported to the Angolan authorities abroad."
   2. "The bearer of this passport does not have Angolan nationality. This passport does not entitle them to the aid and protection of Angolan authorities abroad."
7. The inside back cover reads "Republic of Angola," followed by a space for printing, with headings in Portuguese and English, the passport holder's biographical data; identity card number, date of issue and expiry date; signature of the issuing entity and the magnetic stripe.
8. Passports for foreign nationals do not contain annotations. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

According to Keesing Technologies' Documentchecker, the passport for foreigners (or "alien's passport"), measures 88 mm by 125 mm and contains 32 pages, which feature a "security thread with microprinting" (Keesing Technologies n.d.). Images and descriptions of the passport provided by the Documentchecker indicate that the biodata page features a holographic laminate, which produces visual effects including the appearance and colour-shifting of images and text, and an infrared security feature, whereby certain features become invisible under infrared light (Keesing Technologies n.d.). Images provided by the same source indicate that some pages of the passport include a security feature whereby an emblem and text appear under UV light (Keesing Technologies n.d.).

2.5 Safe Conduct

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 27.º
(Meaning)

A safe-conduct is an international identification document that is used by nationals to return to the territory of the Republic of Angola for reasons of loss, misplacement, theft, destruction or non-existence of a passport.

ARTICLE 28.º
(Safe-conduct features)

The safe-conduct has the following features:

1. It consists of four sheets of paper of a colour similar to that of a national passport.
2. Page 1 contains the insignia and name of the Republic of Angola, followed by the following text in Portuguese and in English:
   
   1. "Safe-conduct";
   2. "Diplomatic and Consular Mission in...";
   3. "Safe-conduct issue number";
   4. "This safe-conduct is valid for return to the country and is used for a single journey";
   5. "SC" followed by the serial number inscription;
   6. "If the safe-conduct is lost or destroyed, such fact and the circumstances thereof must be immediately reported to the competent authorities."
3. Page 2 contains the holder's biographical data, reason for and date of issue, validity, the holder's signature, the text "This safe-conduct may be used within 30 days of the date of issue" in Portuguese and English, and the signature of the issuing entity.
4. Pages 3 and 4 contain the space reserved for visas. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

3. Requirements and Procedures to Obtain Documents
3.1 Ordinary Passport

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 16.º
(Holders)

1. The ordinary passport has a single holder.
2. The fact that a child under 10 years of age is registered in the passport of the parent or person exercising legal representation shall not prevent them from holding an ordinary passport at the same time.

ARTICLE 17.º
(Requirements for issuance)

1. The application for an ordinary passport must contain the following documentation:
   
   1. photocopy of valid identity card;
   2. declaration from place of employment or student's school;
   3. current residence certificate;
   4. three current colour passport-type photos;
   5. duly completed form, with legible signature.
2. The request for issuance of an ordinary passport to a minor under 18 years of age or to a disabled adult must, in addition to the documents listed in paragraph 1 of this article, also contain a statement of responsibility from the person exercising legal representation, with notary-authenticated signature, and a photocopy of the respective valid identity card.
3. The terms of paragraph 1(b) of this article do not cover citizens who carry out domestic activities.

ARTICLE 18.º
(Annotations)

1. After the ordinary passport has been issued, annotations may be entered to include minor children or other minors who can be demonstrated to be under the protection of the holder.
2. Annotations in the ordinary passport are reserved for minors up to 10 years of age.
3. The provisions of the previous article are rendered invalid once a minor reaches the age of 10, without prejudice to the passport's expiration date.
4. For annotations in regard to minors under paragraph 1 of this Article, the applicant shall submit the following documentation:
   
   1. photocopy of personal identification card or complete narrative birth certificate;
   2. three current colour passport-type photographs;
   3. photocopy of the identity card of one of the parents or their legal representative;
   4. form duly filled out by one of the parents or their legal representative.

ARTICLE 19.º
(Ordinary passport reissuance)

1. A request for reissuance of the ordinary passport shall include the documentation referred to in paragraph 1 of Article 17.º of this legal text.
2. In the event of loss, theft or destruction of the ordinary passport, such fact and the circumstances thereof must be immediately reported to the Angolan Migration and Foreigners Service or the Diplomatic and Consular Missions of the Republic of Angola, by means of a declaration by the interested party.

ARTICLE 20.º

(Place of request)

1. The request for issuance, reissuance, extension or annotation must be made in person by the interested party to the Migration and Foreigners Service through its Provincial Directorates and Angolan Diplomatic and Consular Missions abroad.
2. The jurisdictional area of each Provincial Directorate of the Migration and Foreigners Service for the purpose of passport applications coincides with the administrative area of each province, and abroad with the geopolitical area of responsibility of each Diplomatic and Consular Mission.

ARTICLE 21.º
(Validity)

The ordinary passport is valid for a period of five years from its date of issue for a national who is under 30 years of age, and is valid for a period of 10 years for a national who is over 30 years of age. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

3.2 Service Passport

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 11.º
(Holders)

1. The following entities [sic] may hold a service passport:
   
   1. State employees, when traveling abroad on official business;
   2. State employees who, having been posted abroad, do not hold a diplomatic passport;
   3. Employees of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of Angola who are not entitled to a diplomatic passport;
   4. Honorary Consuls and employees of Diplomatic and Consular Missions of Angola, when they are foreign nationals.
2. The Minister of the Interior is responsible for authorizing the granting of service passports to citizens not listed in this article.

ARTICLE 12.º
(Requirements for issuance)

The application for a service passport must include the following documentation:

1. photocopy of valid identity card;
2. three current colour passport-type photographs;
3. duly completed form, with legible signature;
4. official service mission order or guide signed by the head of the supervising body.

ARTICLE 13.º
(Use and Monitoring)

1. The requesting body shall ensure that the service passport is used only for the official duty assignment with which the holder has been tasked.
2. The requesting body must identify the officials who will be responsible for receiving and monitoring the service passports granted to the respective officials, and must provide official samples of their signatures to the Migration and Foreigners Service.

ARTICLE 14.º
(Validity)

The service passport is valid for three years and is renewable for successive equal periods of time, provided that such request is made by the head of the supervisory body. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

3.3 Passport for Foreigners

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 23.º
(Holders of passports for foreign nationals)

The following may hold passports for foreign nationals:

1. foreign citizens residing in the national territory who are stateless or nationals of countries without diplomatic or consular representation in Angola, and who demonstrate that they cannot obtain another passport;
2. foreign citizens having asylum in the national territory;
3. nationals of countries with which Angola has agreements in this respect.

ARTICLE 24.º
(Requirements for issuance)

The application for a passport for foreign nationals must be accompanied by the following documentation:

1. three current colour passport-type photographs;
2. duly completed form;
3. current residence certificate;
4. valid identification document.

ARTICLE 25.º
(Authorization to issue)

The Minister of the Interior has the sole authorization to issue passports for foreign nationals.

ARTICLE 26.º
(Validity)

The passport for foreign nationals is valid for a period of one year from its date of issue. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

3.4 Safe Conduct

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 29.º
(Issuance)

The Angolan Diplomatic and Consular Missions are authorized to issue the safe-conduct.

ARTICLE 30.º
(Validity)

The safe-conduct is valid for one trip only and can be used within 30 days of its date of issue. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

The website of Angola's Consulate General in Porto, Portugal provides the following information regarding the procedures and required documents to obtain Safe Conduct:

[translation]

REQUIREMENTS

• Letter addressed to the Consul General of the Republic of Angola in Porto, stating the reasons for the request.
• Duly completed FORM, with PRINTED LETTERS in each square, black ink, no errors or erasures;
• Original and photocopy of the Residence Permit in Portugal;
• Original and photocopy of the travel ticket;
• Original and photocopy of the valid CONSULAR REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE;
• Original and photocopy of ID OR Birth Certificate.
• Personal ID card, for minors only.
• Original and photocopy of the individual's passport(s), even if expired.
• (2) Two identical, passport-type, current, original PHOTOGRAPHS, in colour on a white background, no tinted eyeglasses (Except with proven medical recommendation);

MINORS MUST ALSO SUBMIT

1. IF TRAVELLING WITH PARENTS (with father and mother)
   
   • Photocopy of the parents' valid passports (pages 1, 2, 32 and visas)
   • Original and photocopy of the parents' travel tickets
2. IF TRAVELLING WITH MOTHER ONLY
   
   • Photocopy of mother's valid passport (pages 1, 2, 32 and visas)
   • Photocopy of mother's travel ticket
   • TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT with notarized signature, completed by the father
   • Photocopy of the (valid) document used by the father to recognize the signature
3. IF TRAVELLING WITH FATHER ONLY
   
   • Photocopy of father's valid passport (pages 1, 2, 32 and visas)
   • Photocopy of the father's travel ticket
   • TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT with notarized signature, completed by the mother
   • Photocopy of the (valid) document used by the mother to recognize the signature
4. IF NOT TRAVELLING WITH EITHER PARENT
   
   • Original and photocopy of the accompany person's valid passport (pages 1, 2, 32 and visas)
   • Original and photocopy of the accompany person's travel ticket
   • TRAVEL AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT FROM PARENTS with notarized signatures.
   • Photocopy of the valid documents used by the parents to acknowledge the signature
   • Judgment on parental authority in regard to custody of the child, if applicable.

NOTE:

All applicants for Safe-Conducts, including minors, must be present.

DELIVERY TIME

Normal - 5 Working Days

Emergency - 24 hours.

Same day, in case of death.

FEES

Normal – 15.00 Euros (Fifteen Euros)

Urgent (except in case of death) – 30.00 Euros (Thirty Euros)

Plus 70.00 Euros (Seventy Euros) if the reason is loss or expiration of the national passport.

NOTE 1: FAILURE TO PRESENT ANY OF THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS MAY RESULT IN DENIAL OF THE PROCESS.

NOTE 2: WHERE NECESSARY, THE CONSULATE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REQUEST THE PRESENTATION OF OTHER DOCUMENTS, AS WELL AS TO SUMMON THE USER FOR AN INTERVIEW.

...

NOTE 4: ALL DOCUMENTS OF FOREIGN NATIONALS MUST BE AUTHENTICATED BY THE MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF PORTUGAL. (Angola n.d.a, emphasis in original)

4. Signatures, Restrictions on Issuance, Deadlines, Cancellation, and Validity of Passports

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 31.º
(Signatures)

1. Service and ordinary passports, and passports for foreign nationals are signed by the head of the issuing body, who may delegate this task to subordinate officers.
2. The holder of a national passport must sign it when picking it up.

ARTICLE 32.º
(Impediment to passport issuance)

1. A national passport shall not be issued to a citizen who is serving a sentence imposed by a court judgment, except with the authorization of the competent court.
2. The impediment to the issuance of a national passport provided for in the previous number falls under the jurisdiction of the court where the case is heard, and the latter shall inform the Migration and Foreigners Service of the judicial decision rendered.
3. In the case of a minor and where there is opposition from either parent, a national passport should not be issued until a judicial decision has been made or until the respective guardianship has been granted.
4. A citizen involved in the proven forgery of authentic documents for obtaining a passport shall not be issued a national passport for three consecutive years from the final court judgment.

ARTICLE 33.º
(Deadlines)

The deadlines for issuing a national passport are:

1. Service passport: eight days from the date of receipt of the application by the issuing authority;
2. ordinary passport: fifteen days from the date of receipt of the application by the issuing authority.

ARTICLE 34.º
(Complaint and appeal)

A complaint and appeal may be filed when an application for a national passport has been rejected, or when a passport has not been issued within the established timeframe under the terms of Article 100 and thereafter of Decree Law 16-A/95 of December 15th, without prejudice to other legal provisions.

ARTICLE 35.º
(Utilization)

1. If the passport runs out of pages, it will be replaced by another one; loose pages may not be attached to it.
2. Any passport that shows alterations, amendments, missing or added pages, pages with handwriting, or improper or defective annotations that make it difficult to fully identify its holder will be cancelled.
3. The holder of a passport cancelled in accordance with paragraph 2 of this Article may request that a new passport be issued to them without prejudice to any liability which may be incurred.

ARTICLE 36.º
(Invalidity)

Expired passports are invalid and cannot be used for purposes of leaving the national territory. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

5. Departure of Nationals from Angola

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 38.º
(Departure of Nationals)

1. It is mandatory for citizens leaving the national territory to present a valid passport and an entry visa for the country of destination, except when there is an agreement or convention to the contrary.
2. An Angolan citizen's departure from the national territory may be rejected if elements of their identification are not consistent with those mentioned in the passport or if they are under an interdiction.
3. When not accompanied by their parent or legal representative, minors may only leave the national territory with written authorization from the latter that bears a notary-authenticated signature.
4. The following bodies shall be competent to place conditions upon or to order a prohibition against the departure of nationals:
   
   1. Courts;
   2. Attorney General's Office;
   3. Military Prosecutor's Office;
   4. Military Judicial Police;
   5. National Directorate of Criminal Investigation;
   6. National Directorate for Inspection and Investigation of Economic Activities. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

6. Passport Regulation and Fees for the Issuance of Passports

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 40.º
(Passport Control)

The Minister of the Interior is responsible for regulating, by means of an order, the control in specific books of the print templates for the national passport.

ARTICLE 41.º
(Cost of issuance)

1. Service passports shall be issued free of charge to their holders, and the costs of the respective forms shall be borne by the requesting bodies.
2. In the national territory and abroad, the fees to be charged for ordinary passports and passports for foreign nationals are as established in a specific legal text.
3. Spouses, minor children, disabled adults or other minors demonstrably under the protection of the entities mentioned in paragraphs b) and c) of Article 11 of this legal text are exempt from paying the fee for issuance, reissuance, extension and annotation to an ordinary passport. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

7. Requirements and Procedure to Obtain a Passport from Outside the Country

The following lists of requirements for obtaining passports were available in English on the websites of the Angolan embassies to the US, Switzerland, and Vietnam, respectively.

The website of the Consular Section of the Embassy of Angola in the US lists the following requirements for requesting an ordinary national passport:

• Ordinary passport application form
• Passport application form
• "Term of [l]iability" [or statement of responsibility (termo de responsabilidade)] for minors application form
• Consular registration application form
• 3 passport photographs
• Photocopy of old passport
• Photocopy of identity card / birth certificate
• Payment of US$100 (in the form of a money order paid to the Embassy of Angola) (Angola n.d.b).

The website of the Embassy of Angola in Switzerland states the following:

The request for the issuance or extension of an ordinary Angolan passport must be made in person at the Consular Section of the Embassy of Angola. In order to issue a passport, Angolan citizens legally residing in Switzerland must gather the following documents:

1. Valid Identity Card.
2. Consular Registration Card[.]
3. Four recent ID photos (3×4.5) with a white background.
4. Swiss Residence Permit (Permis de Séjour).
5. Marriage Certificate (if applicable).
6. Declaration of work or Certificate from the educational establishment.
7. Disclaimer (for minors).
8. Certificate of Residence (Individual or family).
9. Fee: CHF [Swiss francs] 120 [C$177].-
10. Complete the online passport form and print:

…

Note: The full copy of the birth certificate or the Birth Certificate must be duly authenticated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Angola (validity period equal to or less than 1 year).

Important note: All documents in a foreign language (except the passport, the international vaccination certificate and proof of flight and hotel reservations) must be previously translated into Portuguese by an official translator and authenticated by the local authorities (notary/chancellery canton and federal). (Angola n.d.c, bold in original)

The website of the Embassy of Angola in Vietnam states the following:

The request for the issuance or extension of an ordinary Angolan passport must be made in person at the Consular Sector of the Embassy of Angola. To issue a passport, Angolan citizens legally residing in Vietnam must gather the following documents:

1. Letter addressed to S.E. Mr. Ambassador
2. Full Birth Certificate, Complete Narrative Certificate of Birth, Personal Card, valid Identity Card and Passport (for extension)
3. Consular Registration Card
4. Three recent passport photographs (3×4.5) with white background
5. Vietnam Residence Permit [or] Certificate of Residence
6. Marriage Certificate (if applicable)

Important note: All documents in a foreign language (except the passport, the international certificate of vaccinations and proof of flight and hotel reservations) must be previously translated into Portuguese by an official translator and authenticated by the local authorities. (Angola n.d.d, bold in original)

8. Biometric Passport

ANY Security Printing Company a Hungary-based company which operates in regions of Central Europe, Eastern Europe, and Africa (ANY Security Printing Company n.d.), stated that its contract with the Angolan Ministry of Interior to "supply a biometric passport issuing system" had "entered into force" with the signing of a financing agreement on 31 May 2023 ([2023-05-31]). According to the same source, "[t]he system includes the deployment of biometric enrolment stations, the design and production of the passport booklet, and the setting up of the local personalisation system and related services" (ANY Security Printing Company [2023-05-31]).

According to the Angola Press Agency (ANGOP), a "state-run" news agency (BBC [2023]-02-21), Angola announced "plans to launch the first biometric passport model" in 2021, "aimed to replace the current one" (2021-06-02).

Further information on the biometric passport could not be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

9. Fraudulent Documents

Information on fraudulent documents and prevalence of fraudulent passports was scarce among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate within the time constraints of this Response.

Decree No. 3/00 provides the following:

[translation]

ARTICLE 39.º
(Penalties)

Any national who presents a false or falsified document, or who fraudulently invalidates any documents or essential identification features for the purposes of issuance, reissuance, extension and annotation to a national passport, will be penalized under the terms of the criminal legislation in effect. (Angola 2000, emphasis in original)

ANGOP notes that the intention of launching a biometric passport by Angolan authorities is to "avoid fraud or forgery, making it practically impossible for third parties to use the document" (2021-06-02). According to another ANGOP article, the Luanda provincial director of the Migration and Foreigners Service (SME) stated that it is "necessary to increase the levels of training and technical capacity of the SME specialists in all areas of activity," including in "documentary fraud, issuing of identification and travel documents" (2023-04-19).

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim for refugee protection. Please find below the list of sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

Angola. 2000. Decreto n.º 3/00 de 14 de Janeiro. Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2023-06-05]

Angola. N.d.a. Consulate General of the Republic of Angola in Porto. "Salvo Conduto." Excerpts translated by the Translation Bureau, Public Services and Procurement Canada. [Accessed 2023-06-12]

Angola. N.d.b. Embassy of the Republic of Angola to the United States of America, Consular Section. "Consular Acts." [Accessed 2023-06-13]

Angola. N.d.c. Embassy of the Republic of Angola in Switzerland, Consular Section. "National Documents." [Accessed 2023-06-02]

Angola. N.d.d. Embassy in Vietnam, Consular Section. "Ordinary Angolan Passport." [Accessed 2023-06-02]

Angola Press Agency (ANGOP). 2023-04-19. "Political Stability in Angola Attracts Foreigners." [Accessed 2023-06-14]

Angola Press Agency (ANGOP). 2021-06-02. "Angola Gears Up for E-Passport." [Accessed 2023-06-14]

ANY Security Printing Company. [2023-05-31]. "ANY Contracts with Angola to Supply a Biometric Passport Issuing System." [Accessed 2023-06-14]

ANY Security Printing Company. N.d. "Home." [Accessed 2023-06-14]

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). [2023]-02-21. "Angola Media Guide." [Accessed 2023-06-21]

European Union (EU). 2022. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). Glossary. [Accessed 2023-06-26]

European Union (EU). 2021-10-04. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). "Document: AGO-AO-01001." [Accessed 2023-06-26]

European Union (EU). 2021-07-01a. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). "Document: AGO-AD-02001." [Accessed 2023-06-26]

European Union (EU). 2021-07-01b. Public Register of Authentic Travel and Identity Documents Online (PRADO). "Document: AGO-AS-01001." [Accessed 2023-06-26]

Keesing Technologies. N.d. Keesing Documentchecker. "Angola - AGO - Alien's Passport." [Accessed 2023-06-27]

United States (US). N.d. Department of State. "Angola Reciprocity Schedule." [Accessed 2023-06-26]

Additional Sources Consulted

Oral sources: Angola – consulate general in Dubai, consulate general in Rotterdam, embassy in Abu Dhabi, embassy in Belgrade, embassy in Berlin, embassy in The Hague, embassy in Lisbon, embassy in Nairobi, embassy in Ottawa, embassy in Singapore, embassy in Washington, DC.

Internet sites, including: AllAfrica; Al Jazeera; Angola – consulate general in Bangui, consulate general in Dubai, consulate general in Houston, embassy in Belgrade, embassy in Berlin, embassy in Dar es Salaam, embassy in Lisbon, embassy in Nairobi, embassy in New Delhi, embassy in Stockholm, embassy in Tokyo, Ministério do Interior; BiometricUpdate.com; European University Institute – Global Citizenship Observatory; Factiva; Global Voices; Passport Index; UK – Home Office; UN – International Organization for Migration, Refworld, UNHCR; US – CIA World Factbook; World Constitutions Illustrated; Xinhua News Agency; The Zimbabwean.