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Consular Section Ground-breaking

January 2, 2001

The U.S. Embassy in Vilnius will formally break ground on January 3, 2001 for an expansion of the embassy’s consular section and renovation of the ground floor of the Chancery building.  Construction on the expanded facility is scheduled to start immediately and continue until the autumn of 2001.  The expanded consular facility will more than double the space in the consular waiting room, provide new and expanded bathroom facilities with access for the handicapped, include a private interview room, and allow five work stations.

The expansion of the consular section is the latest step in the U.S. Embassy’s response to a threefold increase during the last year and one-half in the number of Lithuanians requesting visas to visit the United States.  During 1999, slightly over 10,000 persons requested visas, while over 25,000 Lithuanians came to the Embassy for visa interviews in 2000.  The Consulate expects to process well over 30,000 during 2001.  During this period the staff of the Consular Section has more than doubled, allowing for an increase in the number of interviews conducted per day.  While this expanded workforce has helped to speed up the line of visa applicants, the need for additional space was clear.

The current expansion of the Consulate and renovation of the ground floor of the Chancery was approved by the United States Department of State to begin this year.  The U.S. Embassy hopes the additional space in the consular section will make the process more comfortable for everyone and better serve those Lithuanians seeking U.S. visas.