I am an Indian stuck in Angola.?
I do not know what to do, except hope that I will get the passport the next day
Answer:
We will assume that your passport and visa application were handed in to the Servicos de Imigracao e Estrangeiros, SME, the immigration offices on Rua Diogo Cao along with the fee required. Immigration should have issued a Talao, a receipt acknowledging that you have submitted your process.
The Talao is very important because if you are stopped at a police checkpoint and cannot either show a passport with a valid visa or a Talao, you will encounter problems. Having a Talao means that you can circulate freely and other than the inconvenience of not being able to travel while your visa is processed, you are legal.
To get into the country in the first place, you will have needed a letter of invitation allowing you to apply for a visitors visa at the Angolan Embassy or Consulate in your country of origin. If you are working in Angola then one could assume that the organisation or entitly that provided you with this letter are also your employers. In which case, one could reasonably wonder why they are not doing more to help you or at least reassure you that work visas take a long time. Angola isn't the only country that is careful with the issue of work visas, just try getting one for the United States or the UK...
The process is lengthy and seven weeks is nowhere near unusually long (for a work visa). Work visas are notoriously difficult to get.
If you came in on a letter of invite issued by anyone other than your employers and you are now trying to stay on in the country to work (let's say, for example, you came to Angola for a visit and are now trying to stay there to do your own business and now need a work visa since visitor's visas can only be renewed a limited number of times), then you could be on a sticky wicket.
As I said, most legitimate companies employing foreigners will have their own protocol department or at least a 'Mr Fixit' who will have good contacts with SME and can follow your proces and encourage those responsible to get your file to the top of an overflowing in tray. If you are doing this on your own and within your own social group canot find anyone to help, then you must keep on top of it yourself but remember that the process is a lengthy one. You must above all, be polite. Never show signs of exasperation or any body language that might suggest that things are more efficient in your own country. Arrogance is immediately punished by the rapid descent of your process to the bottom of said in-tray. It is not the fault of the Angolans that they do not speak English. If you go to work in a Lusophone country, you should, perhaps, have taken a few Portuguese lessons.
Be very careful about doing anything not strictly legal. The Angolan authorities periodically root out corrupt individuals and those foreigners detirmined to be illegal as a result of the subsequent examination of the processes the corrupt officials have handled. Similarly, there will always be the 'chancers' who suggest to you that for a certain amount they can sort things for you. It is the thin end of a very thick wedge. Obviously, if you find someone to do all the running around and pushing on your behalf, then they should be compensated for their assistance. Paying someone to help you and translate when required is entirely different to attempting to bribe an official or pay for a dodgy visa.
As I say, you do not make clear the regime under which you entered the country, what type of entity sponsored you, whether you are employed by a legal entity or are self employed so it is hard to give specific advice.
Just remember, though, that it takes a long time. So long as you have your Talao, you will be OK. The wait is nervous, but just be patient and keep pushing. Politely!
You say you gave your passport to the Angolan Embassy which was in Angola ? How can a country have its own embassy within its borders ? Interesting !
Maybe you have to dig deeper in your pockets and give a generous gift to someone who has the power to get you what you want. Money speaks louder than words. (lol)
Oh, sorry man, maybe you should have given your passport to the Indian embassy rather than the Angolan one. Ha!
The Immigration information post by website user , MyTend.com not guarantee correctness.
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