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Frequently Asked Questions
 

  1. What is a visa?
  2. My visa is only good for another month and I want to stay in the United States two months. What should I do?
  3. I would like to study in US. What do I need to do?
  4. Does my passport need to be valid at least 6 months after my visit to the US?
  5. How can I work in U.S.?
  6. How can a child travel with one parent?
  7. What is ESTA?
  8. How long can I stay in the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program?
  9. What do I need to do to request a visa?
  10. I am not a Portuguese citizen. May I apply for a visa here?
  11. My visa allows me to take my family. Do I have to make an appointment for an interview for each of us?
  12. Do I need to bring my children to the interview?
  13. Do I need an electronic passport to go to the US?
  14. Are the Sevis payment and the BCP Millennium payment two different payments?
  15. I have a relative in the United States. May s/he file for me to come live there?
  16. How can I enter the Visa Lottery?
  17. I got an email from the Embassy asking for money. Where should I send it?
  18. I am an American citizen living in America and I have elderly Portuguese parents who are living in Portugal. Because they can no longer care for themselves I wish for them to come over and live in the US with me for a duration of 6 months out of the year. What procedures should we take regarding a visa?
  19. I am a Portuguese citizen and I want to travel to the US for a vacation. Do I need a visa?
  20. How may I get documents translated?
  1. What is a visa?
    A visa allows a person to travel to the border of the United States. Although you may be granted a visa at the consulate, the United States border officials make the end decision on your allowance into the country. Different visa types are available for different types of travel including, tourism, study, and work. The visa type along with U.S. border officials, determine how long your stay can be. For further information please see our Visa Types page. Additionally the United States Department of State makes this resource available for continued visa information. 

  2. Help! My visa is only good for another month and I want to stay in the United States two months. What should I do?
    A visa gives the bearer the right to ask for admission into the United States but does not dictate how long that stay should be. You are advised to look at travel.state.gov to determine what length of stay typically goes with your visa type. Students, for example, may stay in the United States for the ‘duration of status.’ This means that if the student is in the United States and is a student in good standing, that student is in legal immigration status despite an expired visa. The student may not, however, enter the United States on an expired visa.

  3. I would like to study in US. What do I need to do?
    The visa page contains information regarding student visas. 

  4. Does my passport need to be valid at least 6 months after my visit to the US?
    Generally, yes your passport needs to be valid at least 6 months after your visit to the U.S. There are certain exceptions, however. For more details about the type of passport you hold, please send us an email at visaslisbon@state.gov.

  5. How can I work in U.S.? 
    Please visit this website for information on working in the U.S.

  6. How can a child travel with one parent?
    For detailed information about this issue, please visit this site.  

  7. What is ESTA? 
    ESTA information is available at this address.  

  8. How long can I stay in the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program?
    You may remain in the U.S. for 90 days under the Visa Waiver Program. 

  9. What do I need to do to request a visa?
    For detailed instructions read this page.

  10. I am not a Portuguese citizen. May I apply for a visa here?
    Anyone may apply for a visa here. Please be aware that in order to receive a visa for business or pleasure, one must be able to demonstrate strong ties to a country outside the United States. This is often is more difficult for people outside of their country of residence.

  11. My visa allows me to take my family. Do I have to make an appointment for an interview for each of us?
    Yes, there should be one interview per visa request.

  12. Do I need to bring my children to the interview?
    Children under age 14 do not need to come to the initial interview. The consular officer may request to see the children at a subsequent interview. Please do make an appointment for each member of your family as the appointments represent processing time.

  13. Do I need an electronic passport to go to the US?
    If you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program, yes.

  14. Are the Sevis payment and the BCP Millennium payment two different payments?
    Yes, these are two different payments. The visa application fee is payable at any BCP Millennium branch in Portugal. The Sevis payment is for F or J visas and needs to be made directly to the institution in the United States. Please check the following website for more information on how to make this payment: www.fmjfee.com. Please make sure you bring proof of both payments with you at the time of your interview. We only accept the original BCP Millennium receipt and we are unable to make copies for you.

  15. I have a relative in the United States. May s/he file for me to come live there?
    Please read this page to learn more.

  16. How can I enter the Visa Lottery?
    Here you will find detailed information about the Diversity Visa Lottery.

  17. I got an email from the Embassy asking for money. Where should I send it?
    Please be aware that the US Embassy does not solicit money over the internet. Please also be aware that all communications from the US Department of State will end in ".gov" – e.g. www.travel.state.gov. All fees pertaining to the Visa Lottery may be paid at the Embassy at the time of the interview. 

  18. I am an American citizen living in America and I have elderly Portuguese parents who are living in Portugal. Because they can no longer care for themselves I wish for them to come over and live in the US with me for a duration of 6 months out of the year. What procedures should we take regarding a visa?
    Immigrant visas are no longer processed at the Embassy in Lisbon. This service has been moved to Paris, France. Please see their page regarding immigrant visas.

  19. I am a Portuguese citizen and I want to travel to the US for a vacation. Do I need a visa?
    If your vacation will be 90 days or less you may qualify for the Visa Waiver Program. 

  20. How may I get documents translated?
    Here is a list of names of translators of Portuguese into English and English into Portuguese.

DS-160 FAQs