Additional documents required for ‘favorable opinion’ applications

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Ministry of Commerce now requires additional documents to be submitted by companies requesting a favorable opinion letter, which is a prerequisite for a work visa application.

What does the change mean? Companies applying for work visas and requesting a favorable opinion letter from the Ministry of Commerce should be prepared to present corporate registration documents evidencing that the individual who signed the request for a favorable opinion letter is an appropriate corporate representative.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate.
• Visas/permits affected: Work visa and work visa renewal applications.
• Who is affected: Companies that are registered with the Ministry of Commerce and require favorable opinions to support Angolan work visa applications.
• Business impact: The change adds administrative requirements, but is expected to positively impact the timing of the Ministry’s favorable opinion request process.

Background: All visa applications must include a letter of support (known as the favorable opinion) that is obtained from the Government Ministry with responsibility for the applicant company’s industry sector.  The Ministry of Commerce has responsibility for most industry sectors and thus receives a significant number of favorable opinion requests.

The favorable opinion request consists of an application letter from the applicant company plus support documents. In an effort to tighten controls and minimize application fraud, the Ministry of Commerce now requires evidence that the signatory of the application letter has the appropriate company authority to request a favorable opinion. As such, a company must now present a copy of its certificate of registration. If the certificate does not detail the name of the person who signed the request for a favorable opinion letter, the company must submit a power of attorney delegating to the individual the authority to sign the favorable opinion request on behalf of the company.

BAL Analysis: Angolan companies that are registered with the Ministry of Commerce should take note of the change and should contact BAL with any questions about complying with the new document requirements.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Angola. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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