US EMBASSY
PUBLIC AFFAIRS SECTION
LUANDA, ANGOLA

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release                                                               October 4, 2006

US EMBASSY IN ANGOLA INTRODUCES ONLINE NON-IMIGRANT VISA FORM FROM OCTOBER 16, 2006

The Department of State of the United States of America has instructed all United States Embassies that specific new procedures must be implemented for acceptance of non-immigrant visas applications.  In order to comply with this mandate, beginning Monday, October 16, 2006, all applications for non-immigrant visas at the Embassy of the United States in Luanda, Angola, must be produced via the “Electronic Visa Application Form” (EVAF).  This requirement pertains to all non-immigrant visa applications (official government travel, business travel, tourism, student and exchange programs, etc.).  The Electronic Visa Application forms must be completed online prior to the applicant’s arrival at the Embassy’s Consular Section, where the EVAF printout with barcode will be presented at time of application.  Handwritten applications or applications prepared on a typewriter will not be accepted as of Monday, October 16, 2006.

All data entry into the online EVAF must be in the English language.  The Embassy’s Consular Section will provide training sessions and informational handouts for those persons designated by their organization (government or business) to be responsible for EVAF preparation.  One training session, specifically for Angolan government personnel, will be held at the Embassy Friday, October 6, at 8:30 a.m.  A training session for businesses operating in Angola is scheduled for Wednesday, October 11, at 1:30 p.m.  A third training opportunity, Friday, October 13, at 8:30 a.m. will be offered for representatives of internet/cyber-cafes, but will also be open to government and business representatives who were unable to attend their designated sessions.

The EVAF and instructions regarding its completion may be accessed via the internet by logging onto at:

                http://evisaforms.state.gov

                Instructions and EVA Form

The use of EVAF by visa applicants helps our Consular Section improve the visa services it provides to our customers.  The EVAF, which has been online for more than three years, allows for quicker and more accurate data entry.  As a result, our customers do not have to wait for us to enter the data, and therefore can have their interviews and process their applications more quickly.  Moreover, there are significant anti-fraud benefits that come with the use of the new system.

Applicants are free to use personal or business computers, or facilities at internet/cyber-cafes, libraries, schools, as well as any other public access internet of their choice, and may contact the Embassy’s Consular Section for suggestions on where they may go to complete their visa application forms.