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Integrity Legal

Posts Tagged ‘American Citizen Services’

17th November 2010

For those who regularly read this blog it is likely well known that the administration regularly posts information regarding the holiday schedules of US Missions abroad in an effort to forestall fruitless trips to an American Mission abroad due to lack of knowledge regarding official American recognition of bot US and foreign holidays. The following was quoted directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Iraq:

U.S. Mission Baghdad will observe the following holidays in calendar year 2010.

Date

Day

Holiday

Country

December 31, 2009 Thursday New Year’s Day US
January 17 Sunday Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday US**
February 14 Sunday Presidents’ Day US**
February 28 Monday Prophet’s Birthday Iraq*
May 1 Saturday Labor Day Iraq
May 30 Sunday Memorial Day US**
July 4 Sunday Independence Day US
July 14 Wednesday Republic Day Iraq
September 5 Sunday Labor Day US**
Sep 10-12 Fri-Sun Eid Al-Fitr Iraq*
October 10 Sunday Columbus Day US**
November 17-19 Wed-Fri Eid Al Adha Iraq*
November 11 Monday Veterans’ Day US
November 25 Thursday Thanksgiving US
December 8 Wednesday Islamic New Year Iraq*
December 26 Sunday Christmas US

* This Iraqi holiday is determined by the lunar cycle. Exact dates must be confirmed by local authorities and are subject to change.

** In keeping with the spirit of the Monday Holiday Bill, the intention of which is to provide three-day holiday weekends, U.S. holidays covered by the Monday Holiday Bill will be observed on Sundays.

The Embassy will consider moving the observation date of local holidays (religious and secular) falling on weekends in the event that the Iraqi Government issues guidance mandating that the private and public sectors change the observance date.

The situation in Iraq is likely more turbulent at the time of this writing when compared to other jurisdictions in which a US Mission is present. That said, there are still those who may need services which can only be provided by an American Citizen Services (ACS) post abroad. Services that are often sought include, but are not limited to: notary services, Consular Report of Birth Abroad issuance, US passport renewal, and addition of visa pages. Those interested in requesting such services from the American Citizen Services section of the United States Embassy in Iraq are well advised to check the official website of the Post in order to ascertain whether or not an appointment can be made online. Setting an online appointment can greatly facilitate the processing of requests with ACS as Consular Officers can prepare in advance to provide necessary services.

Those interested in issues pertaining to visas are well advised to check with either the Non-Immigrant Visa Unit or the Immigrant Visa Unit in order to ascertain the proper procedure for requesting a visa to the USA. It should be noted that for purposes of processing the K1 visa is considered to be an immigrant visa.

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14th September 2010

When Americans are arrested abroad it is a serious issue. Many nations do not have the same legal procedures as the United States. Therefore, the protocols under which an American is tried for a criminal offense abroad can be very different from the rules for charging and prosecuting an individual with a crime in the USA. Fortunately, the American State Department provides assistance to those US Citizens who have been arrested and/or incarcerated overseas. The following is quoted directly from the US State Department website:

DISCLAIMER: THE FOLLOWING IS A SUMMARY OF SERVICES PROVIDED TO U.S. CITIZENS ARRESTED ABROAD BY U.S. CONSULAR OFFICERS. SINCE CONDITIONS VARY FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY, THE PRECISE NATURE OF SERVICES MAY VARY LIKEWISE, DEPENDING ON INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES IN A PARTICULAR CASE.

SUMMARY: One of the most essential tasks of the Department of State and of U.S. embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens incarcerated abroad. The State Department is committed to ensuring fair and humane treatment for American citizens imprisoned overseas. We stand ready to assist incarcerated citizens and their families within the limits of our authority, in accordance with international law. We can and do monitor conditions in foreign prisons and immediately protest allegations of abuse against American prisoners. We work with prison officials to ensure treatment consistent with internationally recognized standards of human rights and to ensure that Americans are afforded due process under local laws.

There is little doubt that American Consular Officers provide a tremendous amount of assistance to American Citizens imprisoned or arrested abroad. However, it should be reiterated that Americans traveling abroad may not be subject to familiar laws and regulations. Therefore, prior research of a given nation’s legal system may provide the intending traveler with some insight into the legal system of the country or countries where they may be staying while outside of the USA. To quote the aforementioned website further:

While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country”s laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. As our Country Specific Information explain, penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating the law, even unknowingly, may be expelled, fined, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and fines. If arrested abroad, a citizen must go through the foreign legal process for being charged or indicted, prosecuted, possibly convicted and sentenced, and for any appeals process. Within this framework, U.S. consular officers provide a wide variety of services to U.S. citizens arrested abroad and their families.

There are a number of services that US Consular Officers can provide, but there are a significant number of areas where US government personnel cannot provide assistance as it may be prohibited by law. To again quote the DOS website:

A consular officer cannot :

- demand the immediate release of a U.S. citizen arrested abroad or otherwise cause the citizen to be released.

- represent a U.S. citizen at trial, give legal advice or pay legal fees and/or fines with U.S. Government funds.

These disclaimers are important to note as many Americans are under the mistaken impression that American Consular Officers are meant to act in a representative capacity with respect to pending criminal charges overseas. This is simply not the case. Therefore, those arrested and/or incarcerated in a foreign country are well advised to contact either a foreign attorney or an American attorney abroad in an attempt to gain insight into one’s options with regard to pending foreign criminal charges. Furthermore, depending upon the country, it may be possible for an American Citizen to arrange for bail. This at least allows the American to be released while awaiting an adjudication on the merits of a pending case.

The issue of foreign criminal charges should not be confused with the issue of pending American criminal charges or a pending arrest warrant. If one has a pending warrant from the United States, then it may be necessary to contact an American attorney in order to ascertain one’s options with regard to both the warrant as well as the underlying case in order to make informed decisions about resolving the matter in a legally acceptable manner.

For related information please see: Warrant For My Arrest.

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12th September 2010

Frequently the administration of this blog posts the holiday closing schedules of various American Embassies and Consulates located abroad in an effort to forestall fruitless trips by American travelers to a US Embassy or US Consulate which is closed in observance of an American or local holiday. The following is quoted directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Mauritius:

New Year

Thursday, January 1

Mauritian/U.S.

New Year (observed)

Friday, January 2

Mauritian

Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.

Monday, January 18

U.S.

Thaipoosam Cavadee Saturday, January 30 Mauritian
Abolition of Slavery Monday, February 1 Mauritian

Maha Shivratree

Friday, February 12

Mauritian

Chinese Spring Festival Sunday, February 14 Mauritian

Washington’s Birthday

Monday, February 15

U.S.

National Day

Friday, March 12

Mauritian

Ougadi

Tuesday, March 16

Mauritian

Labor Day

Saturday, May 1

Mauritian

Memorial Day

Monday, May 31

U.S.

Independence Day*

Monday, July 5

U.S.

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Sunday, August 15

Mauritian

Labor Day

Monday, September 6

U.S.

Eid-Ul-Fitr**

Friday, September 10

Mauritian

Ganesh Chathurthi Sunday, September 12 Mauritian

Columbus Day

Monday, October 11

U.S.

Arrival of Indentured Laborers

Tuesday, November 2

Mauritian

Divali Friday, November 5 Mauritian

Veterans Day

Thursday, November 11

U.S.

Thanksgiving Day

Thursday, November 25

U.S

Christmas Day***

Friday,  December 24

U.S.

Christmas Day Saturday, December 25 Mauritian

* July 4, 2010 (the legal public holiday for Independence Day) falls on a Sunday, therefore Monday, July 5 will be the public holiday.

**The exact date of this festival will depend on the visibility of the moon.

*** December 25, 2010 (the legal public holiday for Christmas Day) falls on a Saturday, therefore Friday, December 24 will be the public holiday for the U.S.

There are a rather large number of services which Americans and foreign nationals seek from American Missions abroad. Those seeking Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, US passport renewal, addition of visa pages, or notarial services are well advised to contact an American Citizen Services Section of an American Embassy or Consulate. Furthermore, those seeking the aforementioned services are encouraged to check the US Embassy or US Consulate website in order to ascertain if appointments can be booked online. Booking an appointment with American Citizen Services is an effective way of minimizing difficulties at a Post and streamlining the processing of requests as American Consular Personnel are put on notice of the customer’s request and can thereby make preparations to provide assistance.

Those seeking an American visa abroad are well advised to contact an American Embassy directly in order to inquire as to the procedures for making a visa interview appointment. Generally, the protocols for making an immigrant visa appointment differ from the procedures which one must adhere to when booking a non-immigrant visa appointment. Generally, for purposes of making a visa appointment, the K1 visa is considered to be an immigrant visa.

For related information please see: US Visa Thailand.

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10th September 2010

Those who track this blog on a regular basis will no doubt notice that the administration frequently posts the holiday closing schedules of American Embassies and Consulates throughout Asia. This is done in an effort to forestall fruitless trips to American Missions abroad. The following was directly quoted from the official website of the United States Embassy in Mongolia:

Date Week Day Holiday Nationality
Jan 01 Friday New Year’s Day
Jan 18 Monday Martin Luther King’s, Jr. Day
Feb 15 Monday Lunar New Year*/Washington’s Birthday
Feb 16 Tuesday Lunar New Year*
March 8 Monday International Women’s Day
May 31 Monday Memorial Day
June 1 Tuesday Mother and Child Day
July 5 Monday Independence Day
July 12 Monday National Holiday Naadam
July 13 Tuesday National Holiday Naadam
Sep 6 Monday Labor Day
Oct 11 Monday Columbus Day
Nov 11 Thursday Veterans Day
Nov 25 Thursday Thanksgiving Day
Nov 26 Friday Constitution Day
Dec 24 Friday Christmas Day
Dec 31 Friday New Year’s Day

The Embassy will be closed for the following holidays in 2011

Date Week Day Holiday Nationalityn
Dec 31 Friday New Year’s Day
Jan 17 Monday Martin Luther King’s, Jr. Day
Feb 3 Thursday Lunar New Year *
Feb 4 Friday Lunar New Year *
Feb 21 Monday Washington’s Birthday
March 8 Tuesday International Women’s Day
May 30 Monday Memorial Day
June 1 Wednesday Mother and Child Day
July 4 Monday Independence Day
July 11 Monday National Holiday Naadam
July 12 Tuesday National Holiday Naadam
July 13 Wednesday National Holiday Naadam
Sep 5 Monday Labor Day
Oct 10 Monday Columbus Day
Nov 11 Friday Veteran’s Day
Nov 24 Thursday Thanksgiving Day
Nov 25 Friday Constitution Day
Dec 26 Monday Christmas Day

*Lunar New Year date may change according to the local Astrologers’ decision.

Many Americans and foreign nationals seek services from American Diplomatic and Consular Posts located throughout the world. Many seek services which can only be obtained from an American official. These services include, but are not limited to: issuance of Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, addition of visa pages, renewal of a US passport, and /or notarial services. Those seeking such services are well advised to check the official website of the post in order to ascertain if an appointment can be made online to visit the US Embassy. Setting an appointment in advance can greatly streamline the processing of requests at an American Citizen Services Section of an American Consulate abroad.

Those seeking a US visa are well advised to check with the appropriate US Consulate in order to obtain information about the procedures for setting a visa interview appointment. Generally, the protocols for setting a non-immigrant visa interview appointment are different from the procedures for setting an immigrant visa interview appointment (generally, for purposes of Consular Processing the K1 visa is treated as an immigrant visa).

For related information please see: US Visa China or US Visa Indonesia.

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5th September 2010

The administration of this blog often posts the holiday closing schedules of various United States Embassies and Consulates in the Asia-Pacific region in an effort to provide assistance to American travelers and expats or foreign nationals seeking services at an American Mission abroad. The following holiday closing schedule for the US Embassy in New Zealand was quoted directly from the official website of the Post:

Date

Occasion

Location

January 1 – Friday New Year’s Day NZ/US
January 2 – Saturday Day After New Year’s Day NZ
January 18 – Monday Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday US
January 25 – Monday Wellington Anniversary (Wellington Only) NZ
February 01 – Monday Auckland Anniversary (Auckland Only) NZ
February 6 - Saturday Waitangi Day NZ
February 15 – Monday Presidents’ Day US
April 02 – Friday Good Friday NZ
April 05 – Monday Easter Monday NZ
April 25 – Sunday Anzac Day NZ
May 31 – Monday Memorial Day US
June 7 – Monday Queen’s Birthday NZ
July 5 – Monday Independence Day US
September 6 – Monday Labor Day US
October 11 – Monday Columbus Day US
October 25 – Monday Labour Day NZ
November 11 – Thursday Veterans Day US
November 12 – Friday Canterbury Anniversary (Christchurch Only) NZ
November 25 – Thursday Thanksgiving Day US
December 25 – Saturday Christmas Day NZ/US
December 26 – Sunday Boxing Day NZ

Those traveling to American Missions abroad are often in search of a US Embassy or US Consulate that can assist in visa matters and other proceedings which must be carried out by US government personnel. Such activities include, but are not limited to: Consular Report of Birth Abroad issuance, US passport renewal, addition of visa pages, and notarial services. Generally, the American Citizen Services Section of a United States Consulate can assist in these matters. Those with business at an American Citizen Services post are encouraged to check the official website of the US Embassy in order to ascertain if appointments can be scheduled online. This can greatly streamline processing of requests as ACS officers can anticipate customer requests and prepare to provide appropriate services.

Those seeking a visa to the United States of America often require a visa interview in order to complete the adjudication process. Those seeking a visa interview are well advised to contact the local post or check the official website for details about appointment scheduling. Usually the protocols for non-immigrant visa interview appointments are different than the protocols for setting immigrant visa interview appointments (for purposes of visa processing, generally the K1 visa is considered to be an immigrant visa).

For related information in Thai context please see: US Visa Thailand.

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25th August 2010

Those who read this blog regularly will no doubt have noticed that we frequently post the holiday closing schedules for US Embassies and Consulates throughout the region. This is done in an effort to forestall unnecessary trips to a US Embassy or US Consulate as many foreign nationals are unfamiliar with American holidays and many American Citizens may be unfamiliar with local holidays.

Every year, Americans travel to American missions abroad in order to obtain certain services which cannot be performed by anyone except a Consular Officer. Generally, each American Mission has an American Citizen Services Section to provide vital services to Americans abroad. Services of this nature include, but are not limited to, Consular Report of Birth Abroad issuance, new US passport issuance, notarization services, addition of new visa pages, and in rare cases Americans seek a Consulate in order to renounce their US Citizenship (in recent months this has been on the rise, but those thinking about renouncing their US Citizenship would be wise to consult an American attorney about the ramifications of such a decision).

Those wishing to partake of services from a US Embassy abroad should look at the Post’s official website in order to learn if they make appointment online. If so, this can save the American Citizen a great deal of time and trouble as the Consular Officers can better anticipate the American’s needs prior to his or her arrival at the post. Furthermore, complicated requests could be more easily streamlined where the officers’ have been placed on notice.

Those seeking assistance from a Visa Unit attached to an Embassy or Consulate overseas are well advised to contact the Post directly in order to ascertain how interview appointments at Embassies are processed and scheduled.

Those seeking information related to US visas should see the following: US Visa Thailand or K1 visa

The holiday schedule posted below is quoted directly from the official website of the US Embassy accredited to Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Tonga, and Tuvalu:

Listed below are Fiji and U.S. National holidays on which the Embassy is closed.

Holiday Date Observed
New Year’s Day Friday, Jan 01, 2010
Martin Luther King Jr’s Birthday Mon, Jan 18, 2010
President’s Day Mon, Feb 15, 2010
Prophet Mohammed’s Birthday Mon, Mar 1, 2010
National Youth Day Mon, Mar 22, 2010
Good Friday Friday, Apr 2, 2010
Easter Saturday Sat, Apr 3, 2010
Easter Monday Mon, Apr 5, 2010
Memorial Day Mon, May 24, 2010
Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna Day Fri, May 28, 2010
Queen’s Birthday Mon, Jun 14, 2010
Independence Day Mon, July 5, 2010
Labor Day Mon, Sep 6, 2010
Fiji Day/Columbus Day Mon, Oct 11, 2010
Diwali Fri, Oct 5, 2010
Veterans Day Thurs, Nov 11, 2010
Thanksgiving Day Thu, Nov 25, 2010
Christmas Day Mon, Dec 27, 2010
Boxing Day Tue, Dec 28, 2010

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13th August 2010

The following is the holiday closing schedule for the United States Embassy in the Philippines quoted directly from the official Embassy website:

Holiday Nationality Legal Date Closing Date
New Year’s Day U.S./PHL Fri, Jan 1 Fri, Jan 1
M. L. King Jr. Day U.S. Mon, Jan 18 Mon, Jan 18
President’s Day U.S. Mon, Feb 15 Mon, Feb 15
Maundy Thursday PHL Thurs, Apr 1 Thur, Apr 1
Good Friday PHL Fri, Apr 2 Fri, Apr 2
Bataan & Corregidor / Heroism Day PHL Fri, Apr 9 Fri, Apr 9
Labor Day PHL Sat, May 1 Sat, May 1
National Presidential and Local Elections PHL Mon, May 10 Mon, May 10
Memorial Day U.S. Mon, May 31 Mon, May 31
Independence Day PHL Sat, Jun 12 Mon, Jun 14
Independence Day U.S. Sun, July 4 Mon, July 5
Ninoy Aquino Day PHL Sat, Aug 21 Mon, Aug 23
National Heroes Day PHL Mon, Aug 30 Mon, Aug 30
Labor Day U.S. Mon, Sept 6 Mon, Sept 6
Eid-ul-Fitr (Subject to Proclamation) PHL TBD TBD
Columbus Day U.S. Mon, Oct 11 Mon, Oct 11
All Saints’ Day PHL Mon, Nov 1 Mon, Nov 1
Veterans Day U.S. Thurs, Nov 11 Thur, Nov 11
Thanksgiving Day U.S. Thurs, Nov 25 Thur, Nov 25
Bonifacio Day PHL Tues, Nov 30 Mon, Nov 29
Christmas Day U.S./PHL Sat, Dec 25 Fri, Dec 24
Rizal Day PHL Mon, Dec 27 Mon, Dec 27
New Year’s Day (CY 2011) U.S./PHL Sat, Jan 1 Fri, Dec 31Th

The administration of this blog frequently posts information such as this in an effort to forestall needless trips to US Embassies and Consulates abroad. This author has traveled to more than one US Embassy abroad only to find the facilities closed in observance of an American or local holiday.

Many Americans overseas find that they require services which can, sometimes, only be performed by an American Citizen Services (ACS) Section of a US Consulate or Embassy abroad.  Services such as this include, but are not limited to: US passport obtainment, visa page addition, promulgation of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or notarial services. In situations where services such as these are sought, Americans are well-advised to check the official website of the US Mission in their area in order to ascertain if appointments with ACS can be booked online. This can greatly streamline the processing of an American’s request as the Consular Officers can be put on notice of the appointment and also, in some cases, of the services sought.

Those seeking visas from a United States Mission abroad should check with the Mission’s Visa Unit in order ascertain how visa interview appointments should be scheduled. Often Immigrant visa applications are handled differently compared to non-immigrant applications (for those interested in US family visa obtainment, the K1 visa [Fiance Visa] is usually treated as an immigrant visa for application processing purposes).

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10th August 2010

The United States of America and the Republic of Korea have a long history of cooperation. The USA maintains an official Mission in Korea in the form of a US Embassy. In an effort to provide relevant information to American travelers and expatriates in Asia, this blog often posts the holiday closing schedules of various American Embassies and Consulates. Below is the holiday closing schedule for the US Embassy in Korea quoted directly from the US Embassy’s official website:

The American Embassy will observe the following American and Local holidays during  2010.
2010 Name American/Local
January 1 (Fri) New Year’s day American/Local
January 18 (Mon) Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday American
February 13 (Sat) Seol-Nal (Lunar New Year Days) Local
February 15 (Mon) Presidents’ Day American
March 1 (Mon) Sam Il Jul (Independence Movement Day) Local
May 5 (Wed) Orininal (Children’s Day) Local
May 21 (Fri) Sukka Tansin Il (Buddha’s Birthday) Local
May 31 (Mon) Memorial Day American
July 5 (Mon) Independence Day American
September 6 (Mon) Labor Day American
Sept. 21, 22, 23 (Tue, Wed, Thu) Chusok (Korean Thanksgiving) Local
October 11 (Mon) Columbus Day American
November 11 (Thu) Veterans Day American
November 25 (Thu) Thanksgiving Day American
December 24 (Fri) Christmas Day American/Local

As this author has previously come to find, it can be frustrating to show up at a US Embassy or US Consulate to find it closed in observance of either a local or American holiday. Therefore, those with business before a United States Embassy or Consulate abroad are well advised to consult the official website of the Mission prior to traveling to the Post. Furthermore, those with business before an American Citizen Services Section of a United States Embassy or Consulate are well advised to check online to ascertain if the Post allows appointment to be set over the internet. Those seeking a new US passport, visa pages, Consular Report of Birth Abroad, or notarial services are often required to appear before American Citizen Services abroad in order to have their request processed. In many cases, scheduling an appointment in advance provides the Consular Officers with the opportunity to prepare in advance to efficiently serve Citizens. By streamlining the process it can decrease the wait time for Americans traveling to the Post.

Those wishing to schedule a visa interview appointment for an Immigrant visa such as a CR1 Visa or an IR1 visa are advised to check directly with the Post regarding such appointments. The same can be said for those wishing to schedule a non-immigrant visa appointment for travel documents such as the US Tourist Visa or the US Student Visa (For purposes of Consular adjudication the K1 visa is usually considered an immigrant visa).

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8th August 2010

The administration of this blog routinely posts the holiday closing schedules of US Embassies and US Consulates in Southeast Asia and India in an effort to provide information to travelers who may need assistance at a local Post. Below is the holiday closing schedule for the US Embassy accredited to Sri Lanka and the Maldives quoted directly from that Embassy’s official website:

The American Embassy will observe the following American and local holidays in 2010.

Date

Event

Type

January  01 (Friday) New Year’s Day American
January  14 (Thursday) Tamil Thai Pongal Day Local
January 18 (Monday) Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. American
February 04 (Thursday) National Day Local
February 15 (Monday) Presidents’ Day American
March 1 (Monday) In Lieu of Holy Prophet’s Birthday Local
March 29 (Monday) Bak Full Moon Poya Day Local
April 13 (Tuesday) Day Prior to Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day Local
April 14 (Wednesday) Sinhala & Tamil New Year Day Local
May 3 (Monday) In Lieu of May Day Local
May 27 (Thursday) Wesak Full Moon Poya Day Local
May 31 (Monday) Memorial Day American
July 05 (Monday) In lieu of Independence Day American
August 24 (Tuesday) Nikini Full Moon Poya Day Local

September 06 (Monday)

Labor Day American
October 11 (Monday) Columbus Day American
November 11 (Thursday) Veteran’s Day American
November 25 (Thursday) Thanksgiving Day American
December 20 (Monday) Unduvap Full Moon Poya Day Local
December 24 (Friday) In Lieu of Christmas Day American

Americans traveling or residing overseas often find themselves in need of services routinely performed by Consular Officers at an American Citizen Services Post. The services most often sought by Americans abroad include: Passport renewal, adding of new visa pages, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, and notarial services. As an example, in Thailand, many Americans wishing to register a marriage in the Kingdom must first obtain a notarized affidavit from the US Embassy Bangkok or the US Consulate Chinag Mai stating that they are legally free to marry.

Those seeking services at a United States Embassy or United States Consulate are well advised to check the holiday closing schedule before traveling to the post. Furthermore, those with business before the American Citizen Services Section of a US Consulate should ascertain whether or not the post takes appointments online. By scheduling an appointment in advance an American Citizen, or foreign national with business before the post, can put the Consular Staff on notice of expected services, which allows for more efficient service, and ensure that a place in line as some appointment times can be pre-booked online.

Those seeking visas are well advised to check with the local visa unit (either non-immigrant or immigrant depending upon the visa category) of the Consulate to learn about appointment booking procedures which may vary from post to post. For more information about United States Immigration please see: K1 visa.

more Comments: 04

6th August 2010

As stated in recent postings on this blog, Holiday Closing Schedules for US Embassies and US Consulates overseas are routinely posted on this site in order to provide insight to those American travelers abroad who may be seeking services from a US Embassy or US Consulate located in one’s host country. Also, foreign nationals seeking services at an American Mission abroad may benefit from information regarding Post closure. The following Holiday closing schedule is directly quoted from the official website of the United States Consulate in Chennai, India:

The U.S. Mission will officially observe only the holidays listed below.

Date Day Holiday Type
January 1 Friday New Year’s Day American
January 14 Thursday Pongal/Tamil New Year’s Day
(not for Karnataka)
Indian
January 15 Friday Thiruvalluvar Day Indian
January 18 Monday Martin Luther King’s Birthday American
January 26 Tuesday Republic Day Indian
February 15 Monday Washington’s Birthday American
April 2 Friday Good Friday Indian
April 14 Wednesday Dr. Ambedkar’s Birthday Indian
May 31 Monday Memorial Day American
July 5* Monday Independence Day American
September 1 Wednesday Krishna Jayanthi Indian
September 6 Monday Labor Day American
September 10 Friday Idu’l Fitr (Ramzan) Indian
October 11 Monday Columbus Day American
November 1 Monday Karnataka Rajyotsava Day
(for Karnataka only)
Indian
November 5 Friday Deepavali Indian
November 11 Thursday Veteran’s Day American
November 17 Wednesday Idu’l Zuha (Bakrid) Indian
November 25 Thursday Thanksgiving Day American
December 17 Friday Muharram Indian
December 24** Friday Christmas Day American

* in lieu of July 4, Sunday
** in lieu of December 25, Saturday

Generally, Americans seeking assistance at a US Embassy or US Consulate overseas are in need of services such as Passport replacement, retrieval of a Consular Report of Birth Abroad, addition of visa pages, or signature notarization. For services such as this American Citizens are generally wise to check with the American Citizen Services (ACS) section of an Embassy or Consulate overseas in order to ascertain if appointments can be scheduled online. The reason why this is so important is due to the fact that many ACS sections have a great deal of demand placed upon their time. Therefore, scheduling an appointment in advance and specifying the services sought can assist the Consular Officers in streamlining their services in such a way that the customers needs are met quickly, efficiently, and effectively.

Those seeking a US visa abroad must check each Post’s policy regarding visa interview scheduling. Generally, non-immigrant visa interviews are conducted in a different manner compared to Immigrant visa interviews. It has been this author’s experience that for purposes of visa application adjudications abroad K1 visa applications are treated as Immigrant visa applications even though the visa itself is a non-immigrant quasi-dual intent travel document.

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