For Immediate Release to Media From The United States Embassy in Sofia Bulgaria March 31, 2023 Notice of fee increase for certain nonimmigrant visa applications The United States Department of State has updated the cost schedule for consular fees after a review of the costs associated with the provision of visa and other services around …
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Ambassador Herro Mustafa today had the pleasure to give visas to students, who are going to participate in this year’s Summer Work and Travel Program. Since 2000, more than 120,000 Bulgarian students have participated in the Summer Work and Travel program and by representing Bulgaria in the United States, have contributed to the strengthening of …
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Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Sofia (June 29, 2022) Location: Countrywide Event: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 2 Travel Health Notice for Monkeypox in Multiple Countries . Actions to take: Travelers should AVOID: Close contact with sick people, including those with skin lesions or genital lesions. Contact with dead or live …
Read More» Location: Sofia Event: As reported in the news and media, numerous political protests are expected to occur in Sofia during the coming days in relation to the developing political situation in Bulgaria. These protests have the potential to block major routes and intersections in the center of the city, particularly near the government buildings near …
Read More» Protest: A protest is expected to occur across the street from the U.S. Embassy on Saturday, June 18th, starting at approximately 1300. Twenty to thirty people are expected to protest Bulgaria’s involvement with NATO. Event: All U. S. citizens and their families are recommended to avoid the areas impacted by demonstration activities for the duration of …
Read More» Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Sofia (June 11, 2022) Location: Countrywide Event: As of June 12, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) order requiring all persons to show a negative COVID-19 test result or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before boarding a flight to the United States, is rescinded. Starting at 12:01 a.m. on …
Read More» The Department of State/U.S. Mission to Bulgaria is pleased to announce the launch of an online payment program for adult passport renewal for U.S. citizens resident in Bulgaria. Qualified applicants will no longer need to make an interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy. Effective June 5, 2022, passport applicants wishing to pay for their DS-82 …
Read More» Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Event: Various groups from the transportation sector are planning peaceful demonstrations in and around the city of Sofia on Wednesday, 18 May 2022, which are expected to lead to significant traffic congestion and delays throughout the city tomorrow morning and afternoon. Taxi drivers are expected to gather in the morning in Boyana …
Read More» Location: Sofia, Bulgaria Event: Nationwide strikes by truck drivers and transport companies are expected to cause disruptions to traffic in major cities across Bulgaria (Sofia, Burgas, Varna, and Plovdiv) in the coming week. While not expected to be violent, these protests have the potential to block major routes and highways inside, and approaching, the major …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Health Alert: End of COVID-19 entry restrictions into Bulgaria as of May 1, 2022 As of May 1, 2022, the Government of Bulgaria ended all COVID-19 entry restrictions into Bulgaria. Travelers arriving to Bulgaria no longer need to provide COVID-19 related documents to enter the country. Please note that all other requirements …
Read More» Security Alert: Drifting Mines in the Black Sea Location: Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Black Sea, Azov Sea Event: Drifting Mines in the Black Sea There are confirmed reports of an undetermined number of drifting mines in the western Black Sea, at least four of which Turkish and Romanian authorities have intercepted. Drifting mines pose a …
Read More» Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria (April 1, 2022) Location: Bulgaria Event: Ministry of Health Order Update As of April 1, 2022, the color zones that have dictated the procedure for entering Bulgaria, are abolished. All travelers arriving to Bulgaria, regardless of the country of departure or their citizenship, can enter without quarantine if they …
Read More» Health Alert: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria (March 11, 2022) Location: Bulgaria Event: Ministry of Health Order Update and Extension Under the Bulgarian Ministry of Health order, countries are classified as green, orange, or red zones based on their COVID-19 risk. As of March 10, 2022, the United States will be considered an Orange Zone country. …
Read More» Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria (January 14, 2022) Location: Bulgaria Event: Health Alert: New COVID-19-related Embassy access requirements valid from January 18, 2022 The U.S. Embassy Sofia follows local guidelines for entry into public buildings. Any individual seeking to enter the Embassy, including for consular services, must present a valid digital or paper …
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December 7, 2021 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Announcement on the current status of visa services in Bulgaria The Consular Section at U.S. Embassy in Sofia is pleased to announce the resumption of visa appointments for all categories of nonimmigrant visas on a limited basis. Beginning December 8, we will offer a limited number of appointments for …
Read More» Health Alert – U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria (3 December 2021) Location: Worldwide Event: On December 6, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) will implement a one-day COVID-19 testing requirement for air travelers over age two coming to the United States. Regardless of vaccination status or nationality, any individual coming to the United States …
Read More» Location: Worldwide Event: On October 25, President Biden announced the United States will adopt a global air travel policy. This policy prioritizes public health, protecting U.S. citizens and residents as well as those who come to visit us. Effective November 8 all non-citizen, nonimmigrant ((not a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent resident (LPR), or …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Health Alert: Ministry of Health Order Update and Extension Under the Bulgarian Ministry of Health order, countries are classified as green, orange, or red zones based on their COVID-19 risk. As of September 1, 2021, the United States will be considered a Red Zone country. That means persons arriving from the United …
Read More» Message for U.S. Citizens: U.S. Embassy Sofia, Bulgaria (May 25, 2021) Location: Bulgaria Event: U.S. citizens may directly return to the United States with certain expired U.S. passports. If you are overseas and your passport expired on or after January 1, 2020, you may be able to use your expired passport to return directly to …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Health Alert: Ministry of Health Order Update and Extension The January 26, 2021 Ministry of Health announcement revises and extends entry restrictions and quarantine requirements through April 30, 2021, and introduces a negative PCR test requirement for persons entering Bulgaria. Entry restrictions: U.S. citizens are still prohibited from entering Bulgaria unless they …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Monday, January 4, 2021 1/ HELY AIR – Athens 05:30 (departed) 2/ Austrian Airlines – …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Monday, December 21, 1/ Austrian Airlines – Vienna 06:00 (departed) 2/ Wizz Air – Dortmund …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Monday, December 14, 2020 1/ Wizz Air – London 06:15 (departed) 2/ Wizz Air – …
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Location: Bulgaria Event: Alert – Updated COVID-19 Advice for U.S. Citizens COVID-19 advice: As hospitals accommodate a heavy burden of COVID-19 patients, individuals seeking medical care may encounter delays or require transport to alternate facilities. Please continue taking precautionary measures of social distancing, wearing masks, and avoiding unnecessary travel. You should consult available medical resources …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Friday, December 11, 2020 1/ Wizz Air – London 06:15 (departed) 2/ Wizz Air – …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Today, Monday, December 7,,2020 1/ Wizz Air- London 06:15 2/ Bulgaria Air – Amsterdam 07:00 …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Today, Friday December 4,,2020 Wizz Air – London 06:15 Wizz Air – Brussels 06:20 Wizz …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Health Alert: Ministry of Health Order revises and extends entry restrictions and quarantine requirements through January 31, 2021. Entry restrictions: U.S. citizens are still prohibited from entering Bulgaria unless they meet one of the exceptions to entry restrictions found in the current Ministry of Health Order. The entry restrictions apply to all …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Alert – New Anti-Covid-19 Measures New Anti-Covid-19 Measures: The Ministry of Health has ordered the following new measures, effective from November 27 to December 21, 2020: In-person classes are suspended for students from first to twelfth grade, college, and university. Kindergartens and children’s centers are closed. Grocery stores and pharmacies remain open. Between 8:30-10:30am only customers over the age of 65 are …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Air Travel: Sofia flights information for November 23-24, 2020 International commercial flight options currently exist in Bulgaria. U.S. citizens who wish to return to the United States should make commercial arrangements as soon as possible unless they are prepared to remain abroad for an indefinite period. The U.S. government does not anticipate …
Read More» To assist U.S. citizens considering departure from Bulgaria, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia will share information we receive from airlines regarding flights currently operating from Sofia airport. Please be advised that this information is subject to change at short notice. Today November 23, 2020 1/ Wizz Air- London 06:15 2/ Bulgaria Air – Amsterdam 07:00 …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Alert – Limited consular services and COVID-19 advice Consular services: U.S. Embassy Sofia has no higher priority than the safety and security of U.S. citizens in Bulgaria. To protect our U.S. citizens as well as our Embassy staff, the U.S. Embassy will provide only emergency consular services until further notice due to the current COVID-19 situation. The U.S. Embassy Sofia will provide emergency American Citizen …
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Location: Bulgaria Event: Bulgarian Parliament extends the validity of Bulgarian identity documents for 6 months. On November 6, 2020, the Bulgarian National Assembly amended the State of Emergency Act to extend the validity of expiring Bulgarian identity documents, including residency cards for foreigners. Identity documents expiring before January 21, 2021, will remain valid for a period of six months past their expiration …
Read More» To avoid U.S. entry restrictions when traveling from Bulgaria to the United States, foreign nationals must avoid transiting (or entering) the Schengen Zone/UK/Ireland/China/Iran and Brazil in the 14 days before travel to the U.S. Also, having reservations for flights through these countries, even if cancelled, may cause refusal to board travelers on U.S. bound flights. …
Read More» If you plan to vote in the November 2020 election, it is important to ACT NOW! Don’t wait! Return your voted ballot right away! Remember U.S. embassies and consulates are not polling places; same-day in-person voting is not available outside the United States—but you can get assistance in requesting and returning your absentee ballot. Many states require voted ballots to reach local …
Read More» The Department of State announced the beginning of the Diversity Visa 2022 Program (DV-2022). The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program makes available up to 55,000 diversity visas (DVs) each year, drawn from random selection among all entries, to persons who meet strict eligibility requirements from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Applicants …
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Voting Message for 2020 General Election (released on August 18, 2020) The Federal Voting Assistance Program and the Department of State’s page on Absentee Voting Information are the most up-to-date voting information resources for Americans living abroad. Please visit these websites to learn about deadlines and procedures for registering and voting. Overseas U.S. citizens usually need to register every year, which means mailing in your Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) so that you’re …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: It’s the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment. Have you registered to vote? To vote in the November 2020 elections, all overseas U.S. citizens must complete a Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) or request a ballot through your state’s portal in 2020. Whether you are a first-time voter or have already received ballots and voted absentee in past elections, …
Read More» Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 3 Travel Health Notice for Bulgaria due to COVID-19. Improved conditions have been reported within Bulgaria. Visit the Embassy’s COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 in Bulgaria. Read the country information page . If you decide to travel to Bulgaria: See the S. Embassy’s web page regarding COVID-19. Visit …
Read More» Location: Bulgaria Event: Health Alert: Ministry of Health Order revises and extends entry restrictions and quarantine requirements. Entry restrictions: U.S. citizens are still prohibited from entering Bulgaria unless they meet one of the exceptions to entry restrictions found in the current Ministry of Health Order. The entry restrictions apply to all persons, regardless of their citizenship, through all …
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The Voting Assistance Officer will be available online on Friday (July 17) from 2 – 4 p.m. to answer any of your questions in English and Bulgarian. We look forward to answering your questions about absentee voting! Meeting details: To join the video meeting, use this link: https://meet.google.com/iiq-faha-iav To join by phone, dial +359 2 907 …
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Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Carl Risch spoke with Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva today. Assistant Secretary Risch thanked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for its support in resolving U.S. citizen emergencies during this unprecedented situation. Assistant Secretary Risch said the U.S. government will continue to support Bulgaria’s efforts to meet the requirements for the Visa Waiver Program. Assistant Secretary Risch also noted the Summer Work and Travel program is still being reviewed and the …
Read More» The Department of State has postponed the opening of the Entrant Status Check for DV-2021 applicants from May 5 to June 6, 2020. The E-DV site can be found here: https://dvprogram.state.gov/ The Department’s resources are currently being used in its role in the COVID-19 pandemic response and are being prioritized for the assistance to U.S. citizens overseas. The delayed …
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On April 22, President Trump signed a proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain immigrants who present risk to the U.S. labor market during the economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak. The proclamation is effective at 11:59 p.m. EDT on April 23 and expires in 60 days, unless continued by the President. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and those holding valid …
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REMINDER to U.S. Citizens in Bulgaria: Please enroll in step.state.gov to receive alerts & ensure you can be located in an emergency. In an emergency, call +1-202-501-4444 or visit the Embassy website: https://bg.usembassy.gov/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-information/
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As of March 15, 2020, the U.S. Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria will suspend appointments for all non-emergency consular services until further notice, in support of the measures taken by the Government of Bulgaria to counter the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). For emergency services, please see further below for contact information. To request an emergency appointment for American …
Read More» Information for visa applicants regarding novel coronavirus: As of March 15, 2020, the United States Embassy in Sofia, Bulgaria is cancelling routine visa appointments. We will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. The MRV fee is valid and may be used for …
Read More» Entry of aliens who were present in China, excluding the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, within 14 days prior to their arrival at the port of entry in the United States is suspended, per Presidential Proclamation. If you reside in China, have traveled to China recently, or intend to travel to China …
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service on Tuesday, December 31, 2019 will be cancelled. It will be available again on January 2, 2020 between 3:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. at the main entrance of the Embassy will be moved to 2:00 – 2:15 p.m. on Monday, December 23 and Tuesday, December 31, 2019. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. at the main entrance of the Embassy will be moved to 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. on Wednesday, November 27, 2019. On Thursday, November 28 the service will not be available due to an official holiday. For emergencies involving …
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The Department of State made the formal public announcement of the Diversity Visa 2021 (DV-2021) program on September 25, 2019. The electronic Diversity Visa system will be open for registrations beginning at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 2, 2019, and will close for entries at noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), on November 5, …
Read More» Dear Consular Section clients, please be advised that on July 2nd and July 3rd, 2019 our document pick-up/drop-off service at the main entrance of the Embassy will be provided earlier, between 1:30 – 1:45 p.m. There will be no document pick-up/drop-off service on Thursday, July 4th, 2019 as the Embassy will be closed in observance of …
Read More» March 21, 2019 Location: Beginning at the 7th kilometer of Tsarigradsko Shose, along Tsarigradsko Shose to Eagles’ Bridge and onward to the area of St. Alexander Nevski Cathedral and Square. Event: A demonstration, specifically a motorcade protest, is expected to take place on Thursday, March 21, 2019, beginning at 3 P.M. The Sofia Drivers Initiative Committee …
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Ambassador Eric Rubin handed out the first four J-1 visas of the 2019 SWT program. “The Summer Work and Travel Program gives students from around the world the chance to live and work in the United States during their college and university summer breaks, to meet Americans, and learn about the American culture and way …
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Want to know how to apply for the SWT program? Want to know how you can prepare for the interview? Come talk to our Vice Consul on Wednesday, February 13. He will be happy to answer all of your questions! View detailed information. (PDF 633 KB)
Read More» Location: Bulgaria, countrywide Event: During the holiday season, there are ongoing threats posed by transnational terrorist organizations and individuals inspired by extremist ideology throughout Europe, including in Bulgaria. Extremists continue to focus on tourist locations such as Christmas holiday markets, shopping malls, airports, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, transportation hubs, and other soft targets frequented …
Read More» Dear Consular Section clients, please be advised that the U.S. Embassy Sofia will be CLOSED – including for the Passport and Visa services – on Wednesday, December 5, for a National Day of Mourning in honor of former President George H.W. Bush. We re-open on Thursday, 6th December. For emergencies involving U.S. citizens please call tel. +359 …
Read More» Dear Consular Section clients, please be advised that on November 21, 2018 our document pick-up/drop-off service at the main entrance of the Embassy will be provided earlier, between 2:30 – 2:45 p.m. There will be no document pick-up/drop-off service on Thursday, November 22, 2018 as the Embassy will be closed in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday. For …
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 3:00- 3:15 p.m. at the main entrance will not be available on Friday, October 19, 2018. The Consular section will be closed on that day. For emergencies involving U.S. citizens please call tel. +359 (2) 937 5100 (from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 …
Read More» In connection with multiple inquiries regarding DV2020 the U.S. Embassy in Sofia wishes to make the following clarification: Unmarried applicants can participate in the U.S. DV2020 lottery. Participants who are legally married must list their spouse and children on their DV lottery application. Participants who are single, or living in a civil union not recognized …
Read More» The Department of State made the formal public announcement of the Diversity Visa (DV) 2020 program on September 25, 2018. The electronic Diversity Visa system (E-DV) will be open for registrations beginning at noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 3, 2018, and will close for entries at noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST), on November …
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 3:00- 3:15 p.m. at the main entrance will be changed as follows: On Tuesday, July 3 – between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. On Friday, July 6 – between 2:30 and 2:45 p.m. On Wednesday, July 4 the service will not be available. …
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See how you can check if you were selected.
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On Friday, February 23rd, Ambassador Rubin launched the 2018 Summer Work and Travel (SWT) Program. Each year approximately 6,000 Bulgarian university students participate, spending their summer in the United States. The event was attended by Consul General Kate McGeary and members of the SWT Alumni Association, who highlighted their SWT success stories and the long-term …
Read More» At this time, scheduled passport and visa services will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. This website will not be regularly updated until full operations resume, with the exception of emergency safety and security information.
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that starting December 4, 2017 our regular pick-up/drop-off service at the main entrance of the Embassy will be provided between 3:00- 3:15 p.m.
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 4:00- 4:30 p.m. at the main entrance will be changed to 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2017. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Read More» U.S. Embassy, Sofia, Bulgaria European Travel Alert November 17, 2017 The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens to the heightened risk of terrorist attacks throughout Europe, particularly during the holiday season. U.S. citizens should exercise caution at holiday festivals and events. This Travel Alert expires on January 31, 2018. Recent, widely-reported incidents in France, Russia, …
Read More» Dear Non-Immigrant Visa Clients, please be advised that beginning November 15, 2017 cash payments of the Non-immigrant Visa application fee can be made only at UniCredit Bulbank. Please note: cash payments made through DSK Bank after November 14 will not be accepted. Also, you may use our online payment option Trustly service. Find all details …
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 4:00- 4:30 p.m. at the main entrance will not be available on Wednesday, November 8th, 2017. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Read More» Due to technical issues, the registration period for DV-2019 is being restarted, and all entries made prior to October 18, 2017, will need to be resubmitted for the entrant to be considered. The new registration period for DV-2019 opens for electronic entries at 19:00 h., Bulgarian time, Wednesday, October 18, 2017, and closes at 19:00 …
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U.S. Citizen volunteer wardens met with Ambassador Rubin and the American Citizen Services team as part of the joint effort to assist the U.S. Citizen community in Bulgaria. Save
Read More» For Immediate Release September 29, 2017 The Department of State made the formal public announcement of Diversity Visa (DV) 2019 program on September 13, 2017. The DV-2019 will be conducted entirely electronically at dvlottery.state.gov . The registration period will run from 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on October 3, 2017, through 12:00 noon, EST, …
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 4:00- 4:30 p.m. at the main entrance will not be available on Monday, October 2nd and Wednesday, November 8th, 2017. We are sorry for the inconvenience.
Read More» Dear Consular section clients, please be advised that our regular pick-up/drop-off service between 4:00- 4:30 p.m. at the main entrance will be moved to 2:00 – 2:30 p.m. on Monday, July 3rd and Thursday , July 6th, 2017. On Friday, July 7th this service will be available between 11:00- 11:30 a.m. We are sorry for …
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