DOS

U.S. Passport Card Online Application Now Available

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
January 23, 2012

On January 24, the Department of State’s Office of Passport Services will launch a 90-day pilot program allowing adult U.S. citizens living in the United States and Canada to apply for a passport card online. By applying online, customers will not be required to mail in their current passport book and necessary forms, saving them time and money.

Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
January 19, 2012

Today the President announced that the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working together to improve and speed up the visa process for certain categories of travelers.

Year-on-Year Visa Demand Up in China and Brazil: State Department Continues To Reduce Visa Interview Wait Times

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
January 12, 2012

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
December 15, 2011

On December 14 at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Ambassador Gary Locke presented the one millionth visa adjudicated in China this year. With the help of additional personnel and process improvements, Mission China has also successfully reduced the average wait time for a visa interview appointment to less than one week.

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76032-76035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31175]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 22

[Public Notice 7706]

RIN 1400-AC57

Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates

AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.

Certain exchange visitors (J-1) are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement which requires you to return to your home country for at least two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. This is also known as the foreign residence requirement under U.S. law, Immigration and Nationality Act, section 212(e).

Media Note Office of the Spokesperson

Washington, DC
November 18, 2011

The Department of State is pleased to announce the release of the 2011 Annual Adoption Report to Congress, which coincides with National Adoption Month. This year, we welcomed Kazakhstan and Ireland as new parties to the Hague Adoption Convention. The Convention provides the best framework for ethical, transparent intercountry adoptions and ensures that adoptions are conducted in the best interest of children.

Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson,

Washington, DC

November 19, 2011