Angola’s Executive has approved a proposed amendment to the country’s Passport Law, reducing the standard validity period from 15 years to 10 years.
The decision was taken during the 8th Ordinary Session of the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, 27 August 2025, held at the Presidential Palace under the guidance of President João Lourenço.
The draft law also introduces a three-year validity period for passports issued to children aged 0 to 3 years, as well as for diplomatic passports issued under similar conditions for minors.
Under the proposed regulations, citizens would no longer be required to return an expired passport when applying for a new one.
Speaking to the press after the meeting, Interior Minister Manuel Homem explained that the amendments form part of an ongoing process to modernize the Foreign Migration Service (SME).
“The improvement of the Angolan Passport Law is aimed at addressing concerns raised by citizens and adapting the law to current needs,” he said, adding that the new passports will incorporate technical features aligned with the recommendations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
The Council of Ministers also reviewed a proposed amendment to the Law on the Entry and Exit Regime for National Citizens. The changes are designed to ensure compliance with ICAO standards for machine-readable travel documents, enhancing both the security and reliability of Angolan passports.
Officials say the reforms aim to streamline passport issuance, improve document security, and provide greater assurance to citizens travelling abroad. By aligning with international aviation and travel regulations, Angola seeks to strengthen its administrative systems while facilitating smoother cross-border mobility.
The proposed law will now be submitted to the National Assembly for further discussion and approval, marking a significant step in the modernization of Angola’s passport and migration framework.
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