WASHINGTON – The Department of State’s Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) announces the award of the Brasilia Consular Expansion project to Vistas Construction of Illinois, Inc., of Chicago, Illinois.

This $7 million project will improve visa applicant waiting areas and interview spaces, reconfiguring and expanding the facility to accommodate an expanded interview schedule for nonimmigrant visa applicants and help keep interview wait times low.

The project, scheduled for completion in December 2012, will substantially increase daily processing capacity for visa applications to allow more Brazilian travelers to visit the United States in support of the President’s travel and tourism initiatives.