An Angolan journalist in Luanda provided the following information about the bilhete de identidade (identity card): the supporting documents to obtain a bilhete de identidade can be a cédula pessoal (document indicating birth in Angola) and a carta de residência (document indicating registration of domicile) (18 Jan. 2001). The period of validity of a bilhete de identidade is 5 years up to age 50; after age 50 it need not be renewed. Regarding false bilhetes de identidade, the journalist stated that the Angolan government recently introduced a new type of bilhete de identidade because the previous one was very easy to falsify. However, he added, the new bilhete de identidade is not difficult to falsify either, in his opinion. Both formats are still valid (ibid.).

A report on Angola published by the Swiss Office fédéral des réfugiés in November 1999 stated that the Angolan government had introduced a new identification system on 3 February 1997. Under the new system, a new bilhete de identidade was issued which is computer-designed, made of plastic, and 6 by 9 centimetres in size. The old bilhete de identidade it replaced was 7 by 11 centimetres in size, made of yellow cardboard, with the bearer's fingerprint and an embossed stamp ("cachet sec") on the photograph. Cards of the old format continued to be issued until July 1997 (ibid.).

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 to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

Angolan journalist, Luanda, Angola. 18 January 2001. Correspondence.

Office fédéral des réfugiés (ODR), Switzerland. November 1999. Feuille d'information : Angola. http://www.asyl.admin.ch/franz/publ3f.htm [Accessed 15 Jan. 2001]

Foreign Affairs Manual. United States Department of State. Freedom of Information Act. Electronic Reading Room. "9 FAM Visas"

Immigration and Nationality Directorate, Home Office, UK. October 2000. Angola Assessment.

IRB databases

Letter to the Embassy of Angola

LEXIS/NEXIS

US State Department Visa Reciprocity and Country Documents Finder