There is no Bissau-Guinean embassy or consulate operating in the United States. The mission in Washington has been closed for years, and the country’s own list of diplomatic posts confirms it: in the Americas, Guinea-Bissau maintains embassies in Brazil and Cuba only. The single point of contact here is the Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, which is a diplomatic mission rather than a consulate.
Quick facts
What that means in practice is that a passport usually has to be applied for in Guinea-Bissau, through a relative acting under a power of attorney, or during a visit home. Contact the mission in New York first to ask what, if anything, it can do in your case — but plan on the assumption that the answer involves Bissau.
What is actually possible
| Need | Where it can be handled | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Passport | In Guinea-Bissau | Ask the mission whether it can assist |
| Emergency travel document | Ask the UN mission | Capacity is limited |
| Visa for Guinea-Bissau | The UN mission, or on arrival | Confirm before travelling |
| Nearest full embassy | Brazil or Cuba | Not practical from the U.S. |
| Documents for use at home | Legalisation chain, then Bissau | See the documents page |
Guinea-Bissau is a member of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries, and Portuguese is the official language, so correspondence in Portuguese will always be more effective than in English.
What to do
- Contact the Permanent Mission in New York and ask precisely what it can handle.
- Do not assume a consular service exists until someone confirms it.
- Write in Portuguese if you can.
- Establish whether a relative in Bissau can act on your behalf.
- Consider handling the matter during a visit home if one is planned.
- Allow considerably more time than for any country with a working embassy.
Documents to have ready
- Current or most recent Bissau-Guinean passport.
- National identity card or birth certificate.
- Proof of your status in the United States.
- Photographs, in case they are requested.
- Contact details for a relative in Guinea-Bissau.
- Anything establishing your identity and origin.
Where to enquire
At the Permanent Mission of Guinea-Bissau to the United Nations, on East 45th Street in New York.
Additional notes
A UN mission is not a consulate
Its purpose is representation at the United Nations. Some permanent missions help nationals in practice, but none are obliged to, and services vary.
Plan around Bissau
For most document needs, the realistic route runs through Guinea-Bissau itself. A power of attorney is often the key, which is covered on its own page here.
Portuguese
Correspondence in Portuguese will get further than the same request in English.
Allow much more time
Without a resident consular service, everything takes longer. Never leave a document matter to the last months.