Portugal refuses visas to midwives attending international congress in Lisbon
Other delegates may also have been prevented from participating.

Latest news and stories about visa policy in immigration in Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal for expats and residents.
Other delegates may also have been prevented from participating.

The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) has reopened its online portal for family reunification applications just before the Brazilian President's visit to Portugal.

At least 20 midwives were excluded from the world's largest congress in the field, held in Lisbon. The party wants to know the grounds for the refusals and what measures will be taken.

Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, and India had visas denied for participation in the Midwifery Congress in Portugal. João Carvalho, a researcher at ISCTE, has no doubts: “There was underlying racism in the refusal.”

The Portuguese government has denied entry visas to a group of midwives who were scheduled to participate in an international conference held in Lisbon.

Portugal is facing accusations of denying visas to at least 20 midwives from Africa and Asia who were scheduled to attend the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM) congress in Lisbon. The organisation has criticised the decision, while the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintains that the process is rigorous and compliant with the Schengen Visa Code. The event aims to address high rates of maternal and neonatal mortality, but organisers argue that the exclusion of experts from the most affected regions silences critical voices and reflects a colonial bias. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, led by Paulo Rangel, insists that all visa applications are processed objectively and in accordance with established regulations.

Portugal has denied visas to at least 20 midwives from Africa and Asia who were travelling to attend an international conference in Lisbon aimed at saving millions of babies worldwide, organisers and guests reported today.
The Portuguese government guarantees that all visa applications are “analysed and processed in a rigorous, objective and factual manner”
