US no longer processes immigrant visas in Portugal from 1 March 2012

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The US Embassy in Lisbon, Portugal announced from 1 March 2012, they are no longer processing immigrant or diversity visa applications. All US visa applications from Portuguese nationals will need to be submitted to The US Embassy in Paris, France.

The US State Department explained the change was because in 2010, only 134 US immigrant visas were issued in Lisbon and 32 US immigrant visas in Ponta Delgada, Portugal. Therefore, due to "the relatively low demand for immigrant visa services in Portugal, we are consolidating services in Paris to make more efficient use of our resources."

Following submission of the US immigrant visa application, you will then need to make an appointment with the US Embassy in Paris in order to be interviewed and submit your required documentation.

All applicants who have already been interviewed in Portugal will continue to have their visa applications processed at the two offices in Lisbon and Ponta Delgada until May 30, 2012.

Lisbon and Ponta Delgada will continue to offer some US immigration-related services. The US Embassy in Lisbon and the US Consulate General in Ponta Delgada will continue to process non-immigrant visas for business, tourism, education, and other purposes. This includes the H-1B, J-1 visa, B-1 and B-2 visa, and the L-1 Intra-company Transferee Visa.

The US Embassy in Lisbon and the US Consulate General in Ponta Delgada will also continue to provide the full range of services to American citizens, including the issuance of US passports, issuance of birth certificates for children born abroad in Portugal to American citizen parents, provision of emergency services to American citizens, performance of notarial services, and assistance in voting by absentee ballot in US elections.

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