LONDON
Portuguese Consul General in London, Dr Ana e Brito Maneira, has appealed to Portuguese Goans in the UK to avoid using third-party agents and instead contact the Consulate directly for all consular services.
Dr Maneira was addressing the Goan community during an informal visit following the 4 pm Konkani Mass at St Anselm Catholic Church in Southall, London, on September 19. This marked her third official interaction with the local Goan community as part of ongoing efforts to reach out to Portuguese citizens in her jurisdiction.
In her address to Goans who had gathered in the church hall after Mass, Dr Maneira expressed her keenness to meet various groups of Portuguese citizens. She highlighted the Goan community as particularly special to her, noting her own pride in her Goan heritage through her maternal line.
Dr Maneira urged Portuguese Goans not to pay agents or intermediaries for official consular services.
“We encourage citizens to come to our office in central London if they need any consular services. We are ready to support Portuguese Goans with their requirements. Registrations and other services are available directly through my office, and anyone with emergency needs is free to approach us,” said Dr Maneira.
“Appointments can be made online, with facilities available in both English and Portuguese. If you are unable to book online, simply send us an email and an appointment will be arranged free of charge.”
“The message I want to convey is that no one should pay agents to get an appointment or access our services. Standard administrative fees for documentation apply as required, but booking an appointment is completely free. We represent the Portuguese Government, and we are here to serve you.”
Dr Maneira added that there are plans to conduct outreach visits to areas with large populations of Portuguese Goans, such as Southampton, Swindon, and Peterborough.
“We are trying to get closer to you, which is why I am meeting you directly, so that you can speak to me without intermediaries,” she told the gathering.
“There have been cases of duplicate identities. If anyone is affected by such issues while travelling or flagged by local immigration authorities, having your original documents is essential to proving who you are,” she advised.
“Ensure that your original documents that you may have handed over to agents while applying for your first passport are not compromised. Hence, it is important that one should keep their original documents safe.”
During an open Q&A session, attendees were invited to raise queries and express concerns directly to the Consul General.
Earlier, Ciana D’Costa, a Portuguese advisory councillor in the UK, said she had invited Dr Maneira to meet the Goan community in Southall, and thanked her for engaging with the community.
Highlighting the importance of safeguarding original documents, D’Costa said there are some cases of identities being compromised, leading to problems with local UK immigration authorities. She said securing one’s original documentation is vital if anyone has to approach the courts to prove their identity.
Fr Renato Andrade thanked Dr Maneira for interacting with the Goan community and also praised D’Costa for organising the meeting. Jose Mendes and active parishioners at St Anselm Catholic Church volunteered to manage arrangements in the church hall.
During her visit to Southall, Dr Maneira visited the local Goan restaurant, 'Vailankanni', where she enjoyed traditional Goan food.
