
Integrity Legal
- Legal Blog
- Integrity Legal Home
- Thai Visa
- Company in Thailand
- Real Estate Thailand
- US Visa
- Contact Us
Posts Tagged ‘us passport’
10th September 2010
Holiday Closing Schedule of US Embassy in Mongolia
Posted by : admin
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.
5th September 2010
Holiday Closing Schedule of United States Embassy in New Zealand
Posted by : admin
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.
15th August 2010
US Embassy in Papua New Guinea Holiday Closing Schedule
Posted by : admin
Holiday closing schedules for US Embassies and US Consulates in Asia are routinely posted on this blog in an effort to forestall fruitless trips to US Missions abroad made by American travelers and expats in host countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The following holiday closing schedule was quoted directly from the official website of the United States Embassy in Papua New Guinea:
Listed below are Papua New Guinea and U.S. National holidays on which the Embassy is closed.
Holiday | Date Observed |
New Year’s Day | January 1, 2009 |
Martin Luther King, Jr’s Birthday | January 19, 2009 |
President’s Day | February 16, 2009 |
Good Friday | April 10, 2009 |
Easter Monday | April 13, 2009 |
Memorial Day | May 25, 2009 |
Queen’s Birthday | June 8, 2009 |
Independence Day | July 3, 2009 |
Remembrance Day | July 23, 2009 |
Labor Day | September 7, 2009 |
Independence Day | September 16, 2009 |
Columbus Day | October 12, 2009 |
Veterans Day | November 11, 2009 |
Thanksgiving Day | November 26, 2009 |
Christmas Day | December 25, 2009 |
Boxing Day | December 26, 2009 |
Papua New Guinea is 10 hours ahead of Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) and 15 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Americans as well as Lawful Permanent Residents traveling or living overseas often find that they need services that can only be provided by staff at an American Citizen Services section of a US Embassy abroad. The services which American Citizen Services provides include, but are not limited to: US passport issuance, addition of visa pages, notary services, and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad.
Those thinking of traveling to a US Mission abroad are prudent to check the Embassy’s official website in order to ascertain the operating hours of the Post as well as the Post’s holiday closing schedule. Furthermore, those with business at American Citizen Services may be able to book an appointment online thereby streamlining their service after arrival at the Mission’s facilities. In many cases, an online appointment booking can place the Consular Officers on notice of the services to be sought thereby allowing the Consular Officers the opportunity to prepare to serve the customer.
Those seeking a visa interview appointment in connection with a US visa application are well advised to check with the Visa Unit of the Post where the interview will take place as interview appointments are scheduled based upon a Post’s caseload. Often, non-immigrant visa applicants (those seeking visas such as the US Tourist Visa and the US Student Visa) are interviewed in a different manner compared to immigrant visa applicants, for purposes of interviewing and processing the K1 visa is often treated in the same manner as a true immigrant visa.
For information about Consular denial of a visa application please see: US Visa Denial. For information about possible remedies after a visa denial please see: I-601 waiver.
13th August 2010
Holiday Closing Schedule For the US Embassy in Manila, Philippines
Posted by : admin
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).
11th August 2010
Holiday Closing Schedule For the US Embassy in Japan
Posted by : admin
Americans traveling or residing outside of the United States are often in need of services that can only be provided by an American Citizen Services Section of a US Embassy or US Consulate abroad. Services often sought include, but are not limited to: US passport issuance, visa page addition, promulgation of Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, an notarization. For those living abroad, trips to the US Embassy can be time consuming and may interfere with one’s day-to-day business. Therefore, streamlining the process for the aforementioned services can save time and resources. For this reason, those Americans seeking services at an Embassy abroad are well advised to check the Embassy’s official website to determine if the Post allows for appointment scheduling online. This can provide convenience to the American and provide the Consular Officers at a given Post with an opportunity to prepare in advance to deal with a customer’s needs.
Those unrepresented individuals with a pending visa application before a Visa Unit at an American Embassy or Consulate should check directly with the post to find out how the visa interview process works as Visa Units generally schedule appointments based upon the Post’s capacity. In many cases, non-immigrant visas and immigrant visas have a separate interview appointment process (for purposes of US Immigration the K1 visa is often effectively treated as an immigrant visa).
The administration of this blog often post the holiday closing schedules for various US Embassies and US Consulates in Asia in an effort to provide assistance to those who may have business at a Post. The following is the holiday closing schedule for the US Embassy in Japan quoted directly from the official website of the Embassy itself:
The Embassy will be closed to the public in observance of the following United States and Japanese holidays:
New Year’s Day | Jan. 1, 2010 | Friday |
Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday | January 18 | Monday |
National Foundation Day * | February 11 | Thursday |
President’s Day | February 15 | Monday |
Vernal Equinox Day * | March 22 | Monday |
Golden Week Holidays * | April 29, May 3-5 | Thursday, Monday-Wednesday |
Memorial Day | May 31 | Monday |
Independence Day | July 4 | Sunday (observed on Monday, July 5) |
Marine Day * | July 19 | Monday |
Labor Day | September 6 | Monday |
Respect for the Aged Day * | September 20 | Monday |
Columbus Day | October 11 | Monday |
Veterans Day | November 11 | Thursday |
Labor Thanksgiving Day * | November 23 | Tuesday |
Thanksgiving Day | November 25 | Thursday |
Emperor’s Birthday * | December 23 | Thursday |
Christmas Day | December 25 | Saturday (observed on Friday, Dec. 24) |
* Japanese holidays are indicated with an asterisk.
Note:
The Embassy will remain open for the following three Japanese holidays in 2010:
Adult’s Day | January 11 | Monday |
Autumn Equinox Day | September 23 | Thursday |
Culture Day | November 3 | Wednesday |
28th June 2010
Holiday Closing Schedule for the US Consulate-General in Guangzhou China
Posted by : admin
On this blog we regularly post information of general interest to Americans or prospective immigrants seeking services at American Embassies or Consulates abroad. The following is the posted holiday closing schedule for the United States Consulate-General in Guangzhou, China. The following is a direct quotation from the US Embassy in China’s website:
We are CLOSED on the following American and Chinese holidays.
Date |
Weekday |
Holiday |
Nation |
January 1 | Friday | New Year’s Day | US & China |
January 18 | Monday | Martin Luther King, Jr.’s Birthday | US |
February 13 - 17 | Saturday – Wednesday | Chinese (Lunar) New Year | China |
February 15 | Monday | President’s Day | US |
April 5 | Monday | Tomb Sweeping Day | China |
May 1 – 3 | Saturday – Monday | International Labor Day | China |
May 31 | Monday | Memorial Day | US |
June 16 | Wednesday | Dragon Boat Festival | China |
July 5 | Monday | Independence Day | US |
September 6 | Monday | Labor Day | US |
September 22 | Wednesday | Mid-Autumn Festival | China |
October 1 – 5 | Friday - Tuesday | Chinese National Day | China |
October 11 | Monday | Columbus Day | US |
November 11 | Thursday | Veterans’ Day | US |
November 25 | Thursday | Thanksgiving Day | US |
December 24 | Friday | Christmas Day | US |
December 31 | Friday | New Year’s Day (2011) |
Holiday closure schedules can be very important for Americans as there often arise situations in which an American believes that the closest US Embassy or US Consulate will be open for business when, in fact, the Embassy or Consulate is closed for a holiday in the host country or one of the more obscure US holidays. This author has personally been the victim of this problem when traveling to the US Embassy in Bangkok and realizing that the Embassy was closed for American Veterans Day. To save others time and frustration, we try to post these lists so that travelers can plan accordingly.
Many Americans traveling overseas find that they need the assistance of an American Citizen Services (ACS) section of an American Embassy or Consulate overseas. Many find that they need ACS to produce a replacement US passport, add visa pages, or, in some cases, more serious matters must be dealt with that can only be executed by an American Consular Officer.
In situations where a prospective immigrant to the United States wishes to set a visa interview appointment for a K1 visa, a K3 visa, a CR1 visa, or an IR1 visa it may be best if the applicant makes an appointment prior to traveling to the Post in order to be sure that the Post is functioning upon arrival. This is also the case for those seeking a non-immigrant visa such as a B1 visa, B2 visa, F1 visa, or J1 visa. Interviews for these types of travel documents are usually scheduled in advance, but it is recommended that one contact the post prior to interview in order to be fully apprised as to the pertinent protocols.
23rd June 2010
DOS Seeks Comments On Proposed Rule Changes Regarding US Passports
Posted by : admin
On this blog we often discuss issues associated with US passports and US Immigration. Recently, this author discovered that the Department of State (DOS) is seeking comments regarding a proposed rule change which would alter the way in which DOS collects information prior to American passport issuance. The following excerpts are taken from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) website. To quote one page from the AILA website:
The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995….
Abstract of proposed collection:
The information collected on the DS-3053 is used to facilitate the issuance of passports to U.S. citizens and nationals under the age of 16. The primary purpose of soliciting the information is to ensure that both parents and/or all guardians consent to the issuance of a passport to a minor under age 16, except where one parent has sole custody or there are exigent or special family circumstances.
Methodology:
Passport Services collects information from U.S. citizens and non- citizen nationals when they complete and submit the Statement of Consent or Special Circumstances: Issuance of a Passport to a Minor under Age 16. Passport applicants can either download the DS-3053 from the Internet or obtain one from an Acceptance Facility/Passport Agency. The form must be completed, signed, and submitted along with the applicant’s DS-11, Application for a U.S. Passport…
Clearly the Department of State wishes to use the DS-3053 in order to collect what they deem to be the necessary information before issuing a passport to a minor child. The public policy reasons for this change of rules is somewhat obvious as the Department is likely concerned about improper issuance of a US passport to minor.
To quote another page on the AILA website:
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Form DS-5504, Application for a U.S. Passport: Name Change, Data Correction, and Limited Passport Book Replacement, OMB Control Number 1405-0160…
The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. The purpose of this notice is to allow 60 days for public comment in the Federal Register preceding submission to OMB. We are conducting this process in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995…
We are soliciting public comments to permit the Department to:
Evaluate whether the proposed information collection is necessary for the proper performance of our functions…
The information collected on the DS-5504 is used to facilitate the re-issuance of passports to U.S. citizens and nationals when (a) the passport holder’s name has changed within the first year of the issuance of the passport; (b) the passport holder needs correction of descriptive information on the data page of the passport; or (c) the passport holder wishes to obtain a fully valid passport after obtaining a full-fee passport with a limited validity of two years or less. The primary purpose of soliciting the information is to establish citizenship, identity, and entitlement of the applicant to the U.S. passport or related service, and to properly administer and enforce the laws pertaining to the issuance thereof…
In this instance, it would seem that the Department of State is primarily concerned with collecting necessary data so as to issue US passports only to those individuals who are legally entitled to such travel documents. US Citizenship has many benefits that are not accorded to Non-US Citizens. Therefore, those issuing US passports must take appropriate measures to ensure that US passports are not issued to individuals who are not legally entitled to such status. With laws such as the Child Citizenship Act, these measures are likely to become more necessary as individuals are deriving their US Citizenship in different way compared to Americans in previous generations.
For those interested in obtaining a US Passport in Thailand or information about visa services please see: American Citizen Services or US Embassy Thailand.
11th June 2010
New Passport and CRBA Protocols for Transgendered Individuals
Posted by : admin
A frequently discussed topic on this blog is that of LGBT immigration rights. Recently the United States Department of State made an announcement about new guidelines that will be implemented with regard to those seeking corrected passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad to reflect gender change. The following is a direct quote from the announcement:
The U.S. Department of State is pleased to use the occasion of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Pride Month to announce its new policy guidelines regarding gender change in passports and Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. Beginning June 10, when a passport applicant presents a certification from an attending medical physician that the applicant has undergone appropriate clinical treatment for gender transition, the passport will reflect the new gender. The guidelines include detailed information about what information the certification must include. It is also possible to obtain a limited-validity passport if the physician’s statement shows the applicant is in the process of gender transition. No additional medical records are required. Sexual reassignment surgery is no longer a prerequisite for passport issuance. A Consular Report of Birth Abroad can also be amended with the new gender. As with all passport applicants, passport issuing officers at embassies and consulates abroad and domestic passport agencies and centers will only ask appropriate questions to obtain information necessary to determine citizenship and identity.
The new policy and procedures are based on standards and recommendations of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), recognized by the American Medical Association as the authority in this field.
Although this announcement marks a watershed moment for transgender rights, there are many who feel that a more pressing issue is that of US visa benefits for those couples in a bona fide LGBT relationship. At present, statutes such as the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) preclude Immigration benefits for bi-national same sex couples. Meanwhile, different sex couples enjoy immigration benefits notwithstanding the fact that same sex couples may have been married under exactly the same conditions as their different sex counterparts. Many feel that this disparity is unconstitutional and illegal. However, this assertion has yet to be fully analyzed by US Courts.
There are some American legislators who are attempting to deal with this perceived inequality through passage of legislation such as the Uniting American Families Act (UAFA). Some hope that so-called Comprehensive Immigration Reform will include some provision for same sex bi-national couples hoping to obtain same sex visa benefits.
24th March 2010
Extradition from Thailand to the United States of America (USA)
Posted by : admin
The issue of extradition is becoming more important as the world becomes increasingly “small” thanks in part to technology and the movement towards globalization. In a global environment, legal issues are becoming increasingly international as people are leaving their home countries and taking up residence in countries abroad. In order to understand extradition we need to understand how the international legal system operates when it comes to the issue of dealing with individuals who have warrants or arrests in multiple jurisdictions. First we need to define what “extradition” means as it can have a significant impact upon individuals throughout the world.
The online informational resource wikipedia.com defines Extradition as follows:
“Extradition is the official process whereby one nation or state surrenders a suspected or convicted criminal. Between nation states, extradition is regulated by treaties.”
This leads to the question: If extradition is the process of surrendering foreign criminals to another nation, then how do countries determine when it is appropriate to extradite individuals? This can be incredibly important as activities which are considered criminal in one jurisdiction may be considered legal in another. To further quote wikipedia:
“The consensus in international law is that a state does not have any obligation to surrender an alleged criminal to a foreign state as one principle of sovereignty is that every state has legal authority over the people within its borders. Such absence of international obligation and the desire of the right to demand such criminals of other countries have caused a web of extradition treaties or agreements to evolve; most countries in the world have signed bilateral extradition treaties with most other countries. No country in the world has an extradition treaty with all other countries…”
Extradition Treaties represent the agreement between two countries regarding the procedure for dealing with those individuals who have a criminal warrant or conviction in one of the nations that is a party to the Treaty. The Kingdom of Thailand and the United States of America have an Extradition Treaty. To quote the American State Department’s website:
“There is a bilateral treaty on Extradition in force between the United States and Thailand, 11 Bevans 1008, 43 Stat. 1749 (1924) and Treaty relating to extradition signed at Washington December 14, 1983, entered into force May 17, 1991. There is a treaty on transfer of prisoners “Treaty on Cooperation in Execution of Penal Sentences” signed at Bangkok October 29, 1982, entered into force December 7, 1988.”
From a practical standpoint, the existence of an Extradition Treaty does not necessarily mean that those with arrest warrants, convictions, or fugitive warrants in the USA will be automatically picked up, arrested, and extradited by authorities in Thailand. Instead, this is unlikely as the Thai authorities do not have direct access to the databases that contain US criminal warrant information. However, recently the Thai immigration authorities have announced that they are taking measures to streamline their information gathering process when it comes to foreign nationals. Authorities in Thailand hope to be “plugged in” to US law enforcement databases soon.
Another issue with regard to US warrants involves US passports as Consular Officers at the American Citizen Services Section of the US Embassy in Bangkok may confiscate an American’s passport if they have outstanding US warrants. In such a scenario, the American would likely be accorded an opportunity to willingly return to the USA.
5th March 2010
Deputy Assistant US Secretary of State Discusses Increased Passport Fees
Posted by : admin
Recently we reported on this blog that the fees associated with passport issuance are likely to be increased in the near future. In a recent press release Brenda S. Sprague, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Passport Services, discussed the proposed fee increase and the policy reasons underlying the American State Department’s proposal for an increase in fees associated with American passports:
“Over the last five years, the demand for passports has increased to an average of 15 million applications per year. On February 9th, the State Department published a proposed rule in the Federal Register to increase certain fees related to U.S. passport and passport card applications. The proposed fee change is based on a comprehensive cost-ofservices study, completed in June, 2009, that was the most detailed and exhaustive study the U.S. State Department has ever conducted of its for-fee services, and updates the schedule of fees from four years ago.”
Many who are reading about this fee increase for the first time are probably wondering what the cost of passports would be under the recent proposed rule:
“Under the proposed fee schedule, the total cost for a first-time applicant aged 16 and older, who is applying for a passport book will be have $135. For those younger than 16, the price will be $105. The cost of a passport card for a first-time applicant 16 or older is $55. And for those younger than age 16, the price is $40. Passport books and cards for people who are 16 or older are valid for 10 years, books and cards issued to individuals younger than 16 are available for five years.”
When discussing this issue with American expatriates in Thailand, the initial reaction regarding this fee increase is: what are they increasing the fess and what will the new funding be used for? Hopefully the following excerpt will shed light on this issue:
“Passport fees are critically important to our keeping up with the latest developments in technology. Research and development, production, and implementation of new technologies for use in our U.S. passport books and cards must be an ongoing priority if we are to keep one step ahead of the resourceful and technologically savvy criminals, terrorists groups, and subversive elements bent on doing our nation harm. The fees cover the costs of fraud prevention initiatives such as facial recognition to help us to detect look-alike fraud and data-sharing programs that permit us to verify the validity of social security numbers, driver’s licenses, birth records, and naturalization certificates. Passport fees also help to cover the costs of providing emergency services for American citizens overseas in crises situations, something that our U.S. citizens stranded in Haiti undoubtedly appreciated.”
This issue is of critical importance to those who have American Citizen children outside of the USA. In Thailand, the usual protocol at the US Embassy in Bangkok or the US Consulate in Chiang Mai is for an American Citizen to first apply for a Consular Report of Birth Abroad. After this document is obtained from the American Citizen Services Section of the US Consulate in Bangkok, then a passport can be issued. However, the recently proposed rule would also increase the fees associated with Consular Reports of Birth Abroad as well. That being said, the rule has yet to be adopted as there is still an official comment period so these issues have yet to be fully resolved, but it is highly likely that the rule will be implemented and the fees will be raised apparently in an to reflect what the State Department claims are the increased costs of promulgating these travel documents.
For information about American Immigration from Thailand please see: US Visa Thailand.
The hiring of a lawyer is an important decision that should not be based solely on advertisement. Before you decide, ask us to send you free written information about our qualifications and experience. The information presented on this site should not be construed to be formal legal advice nor the formation of a lawyer/client relationship.