Eight Angolan embassies, consulates to close

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? Angola’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MIREX) will close eight embassies and consulates by Oct. 26.

What does the change mean? The Angolan Embassies in Mexico City, Mexico; Ottawa, Canada; and Athens, Greece; the Angolan Embassy to the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries (CPLP) in Lisbon, Portugal; and the Angolan Consulates in Los Angeles, Calif.; Durban, South Africa; Frankfurt, Germany; and Faro, Portugal, will cease operations by Oct. 26. All visa applications from the southern region of the United States will be redirected to the consulate in Houston, Texas.

• Implementation time frame: By Oct. 26.
• Visas/permits affected: Applications for Angolan visas.
• Impact on processing times: The closure of the above embassies and consulates may increase traffic at the primary diplomatic posts as they take on the redirected service needs.
• Business impact: Employers may need to adjust start dates or travel schedules to accommodate the closures, as applicants may have to travel further to secure a visa.

Analysis & Comments: The closure of the specified Angolan embassies and consulates may intensify existing time restrictions on short-term visas, as recipients must travel within 72 hours after the visa is issued. If short-term visa recipients must travel further to apply for and receive their visa, this could create a shorter window to travel to Angola within 72 hours.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.