Work and Travel in Angola

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN ANGOLA FOR TRAVELLERS

Did you know that the most expensive city in the world is in Angola?

Luanda is the heart of this oil-rich nation and is filled to the brim with expats. But despite the wealth of Luanda, this is a nation that has extreme levels of poverty. That means there are lots of volunteer opportunities in Angola for travellers who want to go where few others go.

If you want to work and travel in Angola, you’ll find more chances than you think for work. Here’s your travel guide to Angola.

1. Get Work in the Oil Industry in Angola

It might be difficult, but it’s not impossible. The majority of workers in the oil industry, from skilled to unskilled, are foreigners.

Backpackers with prior experience, or just people who want to get some work experience, can find work in various parts of the energy sector here.

You will need a sponsorship from a Western energy company to secure this sort of position, but if you want to do something different you could find a voluntary position in the oil industry.

2. Teach English in Angola

Angola is starting to use its vast oil wealth to invest in the education of the country. As a result of foreign intervention in the country, English has become the most desirable language to learn.

Unfortunately, Angola lacks the resources to provide this vital skill to its people. There are hundreds of organisations big and small working on connecting native English speakers with poorer communities who want to learn.

Qualifications in Angola are a must because of the strict visa regulations, which we will go into further down this page.

3. Join a Relief Effort in Angola

Work and travel in Angola will soon reveal how impoverished this country really is. That’s why NGOs from around the world have gathered to provide food, health services, and education to the masses.

You don’t need to be a doctor or a professional to help in the relief effort. These organisations are crying out for volunteers who have a strong work ethic and are willing to help.

Apply for these volunteer opportunities in Angola and you’ll find yourself in some of the least travelled areas of the country.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR ANGOLA

Angola just so happens to have some of the strictest visa requirements in the world. The most difficult part of backpacking in Angola is getting into the country in the first place.

For this reason, we recommend you don’t attempt to apply for an Angolan visa from a neighbouring country. Get one from home before you travel.

Thankfully, they have made things easier by introducing an online visa approval service. This can be used by practically every major country, apart from Mexico. The way it works is that once you’re accepted you can get a visa-on-arrival at the airport. This is only valid for entry in Luanda.

Be aware that the eVisa system is extremely new. It was only implemented in March 2018, so prepare for teething problems. You still may find it easier to apply for your visa directly from the embassy.

South Africa, as well as a number of other African nations, are the only nations entitled to enter Angola without a visa for a period of 30 days.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN ANGOLA

SPRING WORK

Angola is such a large country that it has a number of different seasons depending on where you happen to be. The spring season is tolerable in all areas of the country.

We recommend using the opportunity to head south to the semiarid regions. This part of the country has lots of displaced peoples from nearby country, so a lot of relief efforts are centred on this area.

You’ll be able to help with the relief efforts now as you travel in Angola.

SUMMER JOBS

During the summer you should move towards the coastline and Luanda. It’s a good chance to grab some work experience in the oil industry.

Due to its position on the coast, Luanda experiences the most pleasant temperatures in the whole country at this time of year.

You might also want to consider teaching English at this time of year. Luanda is filled with English schools that are always in need of native English speakers.

AUTUMN

The autumn sees cooler temperatures and an opportunity to work and travel in Angola across the length and breadth of the nation.

This is a great time to attempt a homestay project. Farms throughout the country tend to be impoverished and there’s a lot of work to be done, especially with livestock.

It’s hard work yet rewarding because you’ll have the chance to connect with local people and discover more about the culture and the traditions of the country.

WINTER

Winter in Angola brings a short rainy season throughout January and February. But the rainy season isn’t particularly fierce, and it shouldn’t stop you from finding lots of work throughout the country.

There’s no specific work to be found in winter. However, you can refer back to the previous sections as all these opportunities are available throughout winter.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN ANGOLA

Angola is a country of two halves. Within Luanda, you’re likely to encounter a lot of foreigners because it’s the heart of the oil industry. Central Luanda is extremely cosmopolitan and the chances are you won’t even feel like you’re in an African capital.

However, a few miles later and you will encounter the local people. These tend to be impoverished but friendly. They’re grateful for the help that foreigners can bring, regardless of what they decide to do.

Normal rules apply when travelling in any African country. Take extra care as to where you go. Remember that this is still a third-world country. Despite being spared from any terrorist action or rebellion, there are still inherent dangers for those unprepared for travel in Angola.

If you’re ready to go somewhere few backpackers dare to go, work and travel in Angola could be your next trip.