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U.S. Secretary of State John F. Kerry released the 2014 Country Reports on Human Rights Practices, more commonly known as the Human Rights Reports, on Thursday, June 25 in Washington, D.C. The reports, now in their 39th year, provide a comprehensive review of human rights conditions in 199 countries and territories around the world.  Mandated by Congress, these reports are the United States' factual and authoritative statement on the progress of international human rights and the most widely read document issued by the U.S. Department of State. 

Click on the link below for an electronic copy of the recently released Country Reports on Human Rights Practices for 2014:  http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/hrrpt/humanrightsreport/index.htm#wrapper.


On October 14, 2015, Secretary Kerry submitted the 2014 International Religious Freedom Report to the United States Congress. Now in its 17th year, this congressionally-mandated Report comprises almost 200 distinct reports on countries and territories worldwide and continues to reflect the United States’ commitment to, and advancement of, the right of every person to freedom of religion or belief.

The Report is available on the State Department's web site and at www.HumanRights.gov.



On Monday, November 30, 2015, the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21) -- the annual meeting of countries that are parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) -- will kick off in Paris, France. 

For more information on COP21, click here.


"When a government denies religious liberty, it turns citizens who have done nothing wrong into criminals, igniting tension that breeds contempt, hopelessness, alienation."

The full text of Deputy Secretary Antony Blinken's August 10, 2016 briefing can be found here:  

http://www.state.gov/s/d/2016d/260953.htm

For an electronic copy of the 2015 International Religious Freedom Report, please click on the following link:  

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is the U.S. Government’s principal diplomatic tool to engage foreign governments on human trafficking. It is also the world’s most comprehensive resource of governmental anti-human trafficking efforts and reflects the U.S. Government’s commitment to global leadership on this key human rights and law enforcement issue.

For the full report, click here.

To request a hard copy of the 2016 Trafficking in Persons Report, please send your name, mailing address, and the number of copies you would like to request to TIPOutreach@state.gov.

For information on careers, student programs & internships, and Foreign Service and Civil Service job opportunities, please visit: careers.state.gov

For current civil service job vacancies, please click on the following link:  https://careers.state.gov/civil-service

You must be a U.S. Citizen for Foreign Service and Civil Service jobs.

Discover Diplomacy website has information for middle school aged and older students to learn more about U.S. foreign policy, diplomacy, and the work of the Department of State.

Visit the Discover Diplomacy Site: http://diplomacy.state.gov/discoverdiplomacy/

For information on the regulations for importing dogs and cats into the U.S., please visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture website: http://www.aphis.usda.gov/import_export/animals/

The concept of dual nationality means that a person is a citizen of two countries at the same time. Each country has its own citizenship laws based on its own policy. Persons may have dual nationality by automatic operation of different laws rather than by choice. For example, a child born in a foreign country to U.S. citizen parents may be both a U.S. citizen and a citizen of the country of birth.

A U.S. citizen may acquire foreign citizenship by marriage, or a person naturalized as a U.S. citizen may not lose the citizenship of the country of birth. U.S. law does not mention dual nationality or require a person to choose one citizenship or another. Also, a person who is automatically granted another citizenship does not risk losing U.S. citizenship. However, a person who acquires a foreign citizenship by applying for it may lose U.S. citizenship. In order to lose U.S. citizenship, the law requires that the person must apply for the foreign citizenship voluntarily, by free choice, and with the intention to give up U.S. citizenship.

Intent can be shown by the person's statements or conduct. The U.S. Government recognizes that dual nationality exists but does not encourage it as a matter of policy because of the problems it may cause. Claims of other countries on dual national U.S. citizens may conflict with U.S. law, and dual nationality may limit U.S. Government efforts to assist citizens abroad. The country where a dual national is located generally has a stronger claim to that person's allegiance.

However, dual nationals owe allegiance to both the United States and the foreign country. They are required to obey the laws of both countries. Either country has the right to enforce its laws, particularly if the person later travels there. Most U.S. citizens, including dual nationals, must use a U.S. passport to enter and leave the United States. Dual nationals may also be required by the foreign country to use its passport to enter and leave that country. Use of the foreign passport does not endanger U.S. citizenship. Most countries permit a person to renounce or otherwise lose citizenship.

Information on losing foreign citizenship can be obtained from the foreign country's embassy and consulates in the United States.  Americans can renounce U.S. citizenship in the proper form at U.S. embassies and consulates abroad.

The State Department offers tours of the Diplomatic Reception Rooms. No other tours of the building are available. For information on making arrangements for a tour of the Diplomatic Reception rooms, please visit the following website:

https://diplomaticrooms.state.gov/home.aspx

United States (U.S.) visa policy permits citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa, when they meet certain requirements under U.S. laws. 

For information about traveling without a visa, click on the links below.

Visa Waiver Program
Citizens of Canada, Mexico & Bermuda
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1261.html

For more information on visas, please visit the following website

http://www.uscis.gov



According to the USGS, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake was reported on April 25, 2015 at 1156 local time (0211 EDT) approximately 50 miles northwest of Kathmandu, Nepal.  

The Department of State issued a Travel Alert and is advising all U.S. citizens to shelter in place if they are in a safe location.  There is significant property damage in Kathmandu.  

Telephone service has been affected but it is often possible to contact loved ones via text message. 

If you are in Nepal, please contact your family and friends to let them know you are safe.  

For more consular information, please go to:

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/NepalEarthquake.html



The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has upgraded its advisories regarding the Zika virus.  The Zika virus is a mosquito-borne illness that can be spread from mosquito to human, as well as from a pregnant woman to her unborn baby.  Research is ongoing; however, there have been reports of a serious birth defect (microcephaly) and other poor pregnancy outcomes in babies of mothers who were infected with the Zika virus while pregnant. 

For more information, please click here.


The "Country Reports on Terrorism 2015" provides the Department of State's annual, statutorily mandated assessment of trends and events in international terrorism that transpired in 2015.

For an electronic copy, please click on the following link:

http://www.state.gov/j/ct/rls/crt/2015/index.htm


U.S. Embassy Ankara informs U.S. citizens that the security situation has stabilized after the attempted coup on July 15.  U.S. Government employees in Turkey are permitted to leave their residences and hotels, but advised to do so during daylight hours given calls for sustained pro-government rallies in public spaces and the possibility that demonstrations and protests could ensue or turn violent with little notice.

For more information, please visit:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/news/crisis-in-turkey.html.

Information on the Department of State's website is in the public domain and may be copied and distributed without permission, unless a copyright is indicated. If a copyright is indicated, for example on a photo, graphic or other material, permission to copy these materials must be obtained from the original source. For photos without captions or with only partial captions, hold your cursor over the photo to view the "alt tag" for any copyright information.

Please note that the U.S. Government has an international copyright on Country Commercial Guides. Generally, U.S. Government materials are considered in the public domain unless otherwise specified as copyrighted.

For more information on copyrights for U.S. Government information, please visit the following website:

For external link policies and disclaimers, we encourage you to visit our website at:  http://www.state.gov/misc/152386.htm

For U.S. citizens wanting to travel abroad, information on obtaining a passport, visa and other travel documents required by your destination country, can be found by visiting the website below:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/country.html

The Office of the Historian is staffed by professional historians who are experts in the history of U.S. foreign policy and the Department of State and possess unparalleled research experience in classified and unclassified government records. The Office’s historians work closely with other federal government history offices, the academic historical community, and specialists across the globe. The Office is directed by Dr. Stephen Randolph, The Historian of the U.S. Department of State.

For more information on the Office of the Historian, please click on the following link: 

http://history.state.gov/about



"In my judgment, Daesh is responsible for genocide against groups in areas under its control, including Yezidis, Christians, and Shia Muslims."
                                                                                --Secretary John F. Kerry

For the full text of Secretary Kerry's March 17, 2016 'Statement on Daesh Atrocities', please click here.

The State Department’s Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) plays a major role in coordinating trade and investment matters to support U.S. firms doing business overseas.

For more information, please visit the following website:  http://www.state.gov/e/eeb/cba/.

To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to a passport acceptance facility with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license, the correct fee, and form DS-11 filled out but NOT signed. Passport acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices.

Visit the Passport Services site for forms and more information:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

If you need your passport urgently, generally in less than 2 weeks, please visit the following link:
http://travel.state.gov/passport/hurry/hurry_831.html

You may also contact the National Passport Information Center by calling 1-877-487-2778.

If you need your passport urgently, generally in less than 2 weeks, you may contact one of our Passport Agencies listed on the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/hurry/hurry_831.html

All agencies take applications only by appointment. To schedule an appointment at one of the Passport Agencies, please visit the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/schedule/schedule_852.html



You can get people together in person or online, teach people how to map, and have them get to work. Never done this before? For additional information and resources about mapping or hosting a “Mapathon”, please go to:  

Students of all levels are welcome to apply for the U.S. Department of State’s student programs and internships. We have a variety of programs, from summer clerical positions to management fellowships, all of which allow students from high school to the post-graduate level the ability to participate in projects vital to the success of U.S. foreign policy. Overseas or in Washington D.C., there's a student program that matches your background and will help you to achieve your goals. Please visit the following website for more information on the program, applications and eligibility requirements: http://careers.state.gov/students/

Students of all levels are welcome to apply for the U.S. Department of State’s student programs and internships.  We have a variety of programs, from summer clerical positions to management fellowships, all of which allow students from high school to the post-graduate level the ability to participate in projects vital to the success of U.S. foreign policy. Overseas or in Washington D.C., there's a student program that matches your background and will help you to achieve your goals.

Please visit the following website for more information on the program, applications and eligibility requirements:  http://careers.state.gov/students/

For information on the process to become a Foreign Service Officer, including Foreign Service Officer Test (FSOT) exam dates, online registration, and exam study guides, please visit the following link:  http://careers.state.gov/officer/selection-process

When hiring Foreign Service Officers, we look for motivated individuals with sound judgment and leadership abilities who can retain their composure in times of great stress — or even dire situations, like a military coup or a major environmental disaster. Visit the following link for more information on the criteria we look for:  http://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service

You can renew your expired passport by mail if your passport:  (all of the following must be true)

• Is undamaged and can be submitted with your application;
• Was issued when you were age 16 or older;
• Was issued within the last 15 years;
• Was issued in your current name or you can legally document your name change.

If any of the above statements do not apply to you, you must apply to renew your passport in person.

A Note on the U.S. Passport Card:
If you are a previous passport book holder and you are eligible to use Form DS-82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail - even if it is your first passport card!

How to Renew Your U.S. Passport by Mail:
From Inside the United States: To renew your U.S. Passport by mail, you must submit Form DS-82, Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail. Locate Form DS-82 and step-by-step instructions at Form DS-82: Application for a U.S. Passport by Mail.

How long will it take to process your passport application? See Application Processing Time

IMPORTANT NOTES:

-If your most recent U.S. passport has been mutilated, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail - you must Apply in Person.

-We strongly encourage you to mail your passport application and any personal documents using a trackable delivery method.

-In order to protect the contents of your mailing from the elements throughout the delivery process, it is strongly recommended that you mail your passport application and personal documents in an envelope large enough to fit the application without folding. Please do not use a standard letter-size #10 (4 1/8" x 9 1/2") envelope.

-Passports renewed by mail in the United States may only be mailed to United States and Canadian addresses.

-If you are behind in child support payments, you may not be able to get a passport.

From Outside the United States:
U.S. citizens residing abroad (except those living in Canada) should renew their passports at the nearest U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate.
U.S. citizens residing in Canada may submit Form DS-82: Application for U.S. Passport by Mail to the address listed on the form.  


Need a U.S. Passport Immediately?

You should make an appointment to be seen at a Regional Passport Agency only if:

The U.S. passport is needed in less than 2 weeks for international travel
The U.S. passport is needed within 4 weeks to obtain a foreign visa

Contact the National Passport Information Center to make an appointment or locate a Passport Agency.

The Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs is the central point of coordination for domestic speaking engagements, briefings, and programs in Washington, DC and around the country.

To request a U.S. Department of State speaker via the Office of Public Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, please complete the online speaker request form. Please allow a minimum of 21 days before the event to arrange for a speaker.

Please visit http://register.state.gov/scouts to request a letter of recognition for a new Eagle Scout or Gold Scout.

For information on how to request copies of passport records from 1925 to the present, please visit the following website:

http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/services/obtain-copies-of-passport-records.html

For copies of passport records issued before 1925 please visit the Passport Applications at the National Archives’ website:  http://www.archives.gov/research/genealogy/index.html

Any email that states you have won the Diversity Visa Lottery is fake. The Department of State has never sent emails to notify individuals they have been selected, and The Department of State will not notify Diversity Visa winners by email. Emails indicating that you have won the diversity visa are fraudulent. We encourage you to report fraudulent emails to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (http://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx)

Please be aware of a notable increase in fraudulent emails and letters sent to Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) program (Visa Lottery) applicants. The scammers behind these fraudulent emails and letters are posing as the U.S. government in an attempt to extract payment from DV applicants. All applicants should be familiar with information about DV scams provided by the Federal Trade Commission. Applicants are encouraged to review the rules and procedures for the DV program so that you know what to expect, when to expect it, and from whom. 

 

To learn more about ways to recognize Diversity Visa Fraud, please visit the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1749.html

Please visit the Department of State Diversity Visa website for more information on checking the status of your entry.

For more information on the proper process for registering for the diversity visa, please visit the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html

The State Department administers the Fulbright Academic Exchange programs. For information on the Fulbright programs, please visit the following website: http://fulbright.state.gov/

For information on other postsecondary study abroad programs, please visit the U.S. Network for Education Information website:

http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/international/edlite-study-abroad.html

If you are already in the United States, this question is best answered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security at http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis.

For information on how to obtain a Green Card, which is granted to permanent immigrants, please visit the following websites:

http://www.uscis.gov/

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/frvi_1365.html

A citizen of a foreign country wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. These items assist in explaining new visa policies and procedures for visitors to the United States -- a nation with secure borders and open doors.

If you are visiting temporarily, see Temporary Visitors to the U.S.

If you are visiting permanently, see Permanent Immigrants to the U.S.

Still have questions? Please click the following link: Questions about Visas

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

 For specific questions, please contact Visa Services.

To submit a request for the correction of information publicly disseminated by the Department of State, visit http://www.state.gov/misc/49492.htm. This page also presents the Department's supporting administrative mechanisms to request correction of information under the guidelines, the Information Quality Act Annual Reports for 2004 and 2005, and the Department's Bulletin for Peer Review. The Department's Information Quality Guidelines were developed in accordance with the provisions of Public Law 106-554 and OMB government-wide requirements directing all federal agencies to issue guidelines for ensuring the quality of the information that they disseminate to the public.

The Secretary of State travels to all corners of the world to do his job.

Please click on the link below for more detailed information on Secretary Kerry’s travels.

http://www.state.gov/secretary/travel/

Only Those Listed Below Are Authorized to Replace or Amend a Consular Report of Birth Abroad (CRBA):

• The individual whose birth is recorded on the document (if age 18 or older)
• A parent (for minors under age 18) or legal guardian
• An authorized government agency, or
• A person with written authorization

For more information, please visit:  http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/abroad/events-and-records/birth/replace-or-amend-consular-report-of-birth-abroad.html

U.S. citizens born in the U.S. or U.S. Territories can find information on how to obtain a copy of a birth certificate by visiting the National Center for Health Statistics’ “Where to Write for Vital Records” website: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/w2w.htm

 



For your consular inquiry, we invite you to visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs' website at:  travel.state.gov. 

The information below is intended to help guide you to the correct information online. 

For U.S. Citizens: If you need help regarding an emergency with you or a loved one living or traveling abroad, call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-202-501-4444 from overseas or 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and visit the following link: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html

If you have a question about applying for a U.S. passport, click here: http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

If you wish to check the status of your passport application, contact the National Passport Information Center using the information linked below:  http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/passports.html

If your question has to do with getting married abroad, please visit:  http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/marriage/marriage_589.html

For information about bringing a non-U.S. citizen fiance(e) or spouse to the U.S., please click on the following link: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/immigrate/family/fiance.html

If you are a U.S. citizen who was born abroad and need a birth certificate (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) please click on the following link: http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

If your question has to do with entry documents to visit a country overseas, you can obtain information relevant to the place you want to visit here:https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html

Questions regarding citizenship, permanent residency, and immigration to the U.S. are handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Please contact USCIS at the following link: http://www.uscis.gov 

If you need proof of your U.S. citizenship, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/us-citizenship/proof-us-citizenship-and-identification-when-applying-job.

For any other visa questions, please visit: https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/contact.html

You may also wish to visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs' contact page:  http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/contact.html



Same-sex spouses of U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs), along with their minor children, are now eligible for the same immigration benefits as opposite-sex spouses. Consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates will adjudicate their immigrant visa applications upon receipt of an approved I-130 or I-140 petition from USCIS.

For more information, please click on the following link: http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/types/family/fiance.html.

Please visit the Federal Voting Assistance Program website to get help on voting in U.S. elections while overseas:  http://www.fvap.gov/

The U.S. Department of State submitted the International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR) to Congress on March 2, 2016.

The two-volume report offers a comprehensive assessment of the efforts of foreign governments to reduce illicit narcotics production, trafficking and use, in keeping with their international obligations under UN treaties, while also presenting information on governments’ efforts to counter money laundering and terrorist financing. This year marks the thirtieth anniversary of the INCSR. It’s also notable that in 2016, the United Nations General Assembly will convene the international drug control community in April for a Special Session on drugs, the first in almost twenty years.

Volume I of the INCSR, the Drugs and Chemical Control section, covers the efforts of more than 80 countries and jurisdictions. Volume II, Money-Laundering and Financial Crimes, describes the efforts of Major Money Laundering Countries to implement stronger anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing regimes. The Report is a requirement of section 489 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

To obtain the full text of the report, please visit http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/2016/index.htm.





For the full text of Secretary Kerry's opening remarks before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, please click the following links:


July 23, 2015:  http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/07/245221.htm


July 28, 2015:  http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/07/245369.htm


Please click on the link below for Secretary Kerry's April 23 "Remarks at the Atlantic Council's Conference on Trade and National Security:  Renewing U.S. Leadership Through Economic Strength".

http://www.state.gov/secretary/remarks/2015/04/241019.htm



Secretary Kerry announced on Friday, November 6, 2015, the Administration's decision to deny TransCanada a presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.

For the full text of Secretary Kerry's statement, click here.


The United States condemns the murder of civil society activist Berta Caceres and calls upon the Honduran government to conduct a prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation and to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

For the full text of Assistant Secretary John Kirby's statement, please click here.

Any questions regarding travel would be best answered by the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

We encourage you to visit their website at travel.state.gov.



The Rewards for Justice Program is one of the most valuable assets the U.S. Government has in the fight against international terrorism. Established by the 1984 Act to Combat International Terrorism, P.L. 98-533, the program is administered by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Diplomatic Security.

For more information, please click on the following link: http://www.state.gov/m/ds/terrorism/c8651.htm.



On November 26, 2002, the President signed into law the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act of 2002 (Pub. L. 107–297, 116 Stat. 2322) [TRIA]. TRIA created a temporary federal program that provides for a transparent system of shared public and private compensation for certain insured losses resulting from a certified act of terror.

The Treasury Department administers the program.

For more information, please click here.


In the wake of the November 13, 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris and continued terrorist threats against France and Europe detailed in the Department’s Worldwide Caution, we strongly urge U.S. citizens to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security.  Authorities believe the likelihood of terror attacks in Europe will continue as European members of ISIL return from Syria and Iraq.  Additionally, there is a continuing threat in Europe from unaffiliated persons planning attacks inspired by major terrorist organizations but conducted on an individual basis.

For more information, please click here.


The U.S. and Cuba continue to have sharp differences over democracy, human rights, and related issues, but we also have identified areas for cooperation that include law enforcement, safe transportation, emergency response, environmental protection, telecommunications, and migration.

To read more of Secretary Kerry's July 1 remarks, click here.

For additional information on U.S. relations with Cuba, please visit our website.


Your query would be best answered by the Bureau of Consular Affairs. 

For more information, please visit 

Thank you for contacting the Department of State.

The Secretary of State, the ranking member of the Cabinet and fourth in line of presidential succession, is the President's principal advisor on foreign policy and the person chiefly responsible for representing the United States abroad. The primary goal of the Secretary of State and the U.S. Department of State is to shape a freer, more secure, and more prosperous world through formulating and implementing the President's foreign policy, while supporting and protecting American interests abroad. 

For more information on the duties of the Secretary of State, please click on the following link: http://www.state.gov/secretary/115194.htm

If you decide to take your pet with you when you go abroad, you should check with the embassies of the destination countries as to specific requirements that must be met before a pet may be brought into the country. Many countries have strict health, quarantine, agriculture, wildlife, and customs requirements and prohibitions. A listing of foreign embassies and consulates in the U.S. is available on the Department of State’s website at http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm.

Foreign embassy and consulate contact information can also be found on the Country Specific Information for each country.

Note: In a crisis in which chartered or military aircraft or ships are used to evacuate Americans from a danger area, pets will not normally be permitted on the carrier. The pet owner will need to make other arrangements in order to remove the pet from the area. (Service animals, such as guide dogs, are not considered pets and will be accommodated if possible.)

For information on re-entering or returning to the United States as a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident, please visit the following U.S. Customs & Border Protection links: 

• Information for U.S. Citizens
• Information for Lawful Permanent Residents 

For information on re-entering or returning to the United States as a Foreign National, please visit the following U.S. Customs & Border Protection link: 

• Information for Foreign Nationals

For further information, please visit the Department of State's travel website:

www.travel.state.gov

Generally, before traveling to the U.S., a citizen of a foreign country must obtain a  non-immigrant visa for temporary stay or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you will need is based on the purpose of your travel. Your best resource is to contact your closest U.S. embassy or consulate for help in determining the type of visa you will need.

U.S. visa policy permits citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. without a visa, when they meet certain requirements, under U.S. laws. 

To determine if you are eligible to travel without a visa, please click on the link below:

• Information on Travel Without a Visa

The Consular Affairs Bureau receives daily calls about international scams involving internet dating, inheritance, work permits, overpayment, and money-laundering. Many scams are initiated through the internet; victims range in age from 18 to 81 and come from all socio-economic backgrounds.

Please visit the following website for more information and how to protect yourself from scams: http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/emergencies/scams.html

If you feel you have been a victim of an Internet scam, please send all direct reports of internet fraud to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at: http://www.ic3.gov/. If the scam originated through a particular website, notify the administrators of that website.  If you are concerned about an American in distress overseas, but you are not sure if it is a legitimate case, call our office of Overseas Citizens Services at 888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444).



Many people want to help those affected by the crisis in Syria, but don’t know where to begin. The best way to help those affected by a disaster overseas is to make a monetary donation to a reputable humanitarian organization working in the region. USAID’s Center for International Disaster Information posts lists of organizations that are responding to particular disasters.

For more information, please click here.



The Bureau of Consular Affairs continues to address technical problems with our visa systems.  Some visa applicants will experience delays in receiving visas.  Others will be contacted directly to reschedule their appointments.  Passports are still being processed. 

This issue is not specific to any particular country or visa category; this is a global issue.  We do not believe these problems stem from any cyber-security hacking issues.

For more information, click here.

For information on the State Department’s cultural exchange programs, please visit the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website  http://www.exchanges.state.gov/

For information on visa types, requirements and related materials for permanent immigrants, please visit the following website:  http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/immigrants_1340.html

Please visit the following website for document requirements to enter Canada:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1082.html#entry_requirements

For the latest entry requirements, please visit U.S. Embassy Mexico’s website at: http://mexico.usembassy.gov/eng/eacs_sheet.html or contact the Embassy of Mexico at

1911 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW

Washington, DC  20006

Telephone (202) 736-1000 or any Mexican consulate in the U.S. for the most current information.

For more information, please visit the following website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_970.html#entry_requirements

If you are a U.S. citizen who needs help involving U.S. citizenship, travel safety abroad, property and estate matters, or any emergency while traveling abroad, your first option should be to contact your closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

While overseas, you may also call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-202-501-4444 during business hours. During non-business hours, please call 202-647-4000 and ask for the duty officer.

From within the U.S., call  1-888-407-4747.

Visit the following page to find contact information for embassies and consulates abroad:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html

For information on what the Department of State can and cannot do to help during a crisis, please visit the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html

A Green Card gives you official immigration status (Lawful Permanent Residency) in the United States. A “Permanent Resident” is defined as any person not a citizen of the United States who is residing in the U.S. under legally recognized and lawfully recorded permanent residence as an immigrant. Also known as Permanent Resident Alien, Lawful Permanent Resident,  Resident Alien Permit Holder, and Green Card Holder.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

If you are a citizen of a foreign country, in most cases you will need a visa to enter into the United States.

A visa allows you to travel to the United States as far as the port of entry (airport or land border crossing). A visa doesn’t permit entry to the U.S.  A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a U.S. consular officer at an American Embassy or consulate, and that the officer has deemed you eligible to enter the country for a specific purpose. There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant.

For more information on visas and visa categories, please visit the following websites:

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/frequently-asked-questions/about-visas-the-basics.html

http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

http://www.uscis.gov

http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/contact.html

The mailing address for Secretary Kerry is as follows:

The Honorable Secretary of State John F. Kerry
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20520


Since the attacks in Paris, many have asked about our process for admitting Syrian refugees into the United States.

To learn about the process of screening Syrian Refugees, please click here.

The U.S. Department of State is the oldest agency in the President’s cabinet. The Secretary of State leads the Department of State in carrying out the President's foreign policies. 

The Department was initially founded as the Department of Foreign Affairs in 1781 and then renamed in 1789 in the Constitution as the Department of State.

Our Mission Statement: Advance freedom for the benefit of the American people and the international community by helping to build and sustain a more democratic, secure, and prosperous world composed of well-governed states that respond to the needs of their people, reduce widespread poverty, and act responsibly within the international system.

Learn more about the Department here: About State

For Students/Educators: Discover Diplomacy

Over 60 coalition partners have committed themselves to the goals of eliminating the threat posed by ISIL and have already contributed in various capacities to the effort to combat ISIL in Iraq, the region and beyond.

For the list of partners and additional information on this topic, please visit our website:  http://www.state.gov/s/seci/

For more information, please click here.

A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.  These items assist in explaining new visa policies and procedures for visitors to the United States -- a nation with secure borders and open doors.

If you are visiting temporarily, see Temporary Visitors to the U.S.

If you are visiting permanently, see Permanent Immigrants to the U.S.

Still have questions? See Questions about Visas

For more information, please visit the following websites:

http://travel.state.gov/

http://www.uscis.gov

The State Department's Fulbright Program provides grants for graduate students; scholars and professionals; and teachers and administrators from the U.S. and other countries. For more information on the Fulbright Program and other educational exchange programs, please visit the following website: http://fulbright.state.gov/

The Department of Education's "United States Network for Education Information," provides official information assistance for anyone seeking information about U.S. education. For more information please visit the following website:  http://www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/edlite-index.html

There are various types of nonimmigrant visas for temporary visitors to travel to the United States, if you are not a U.S. citizen or U.S. lawful permanent resident. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. It's important to have information about the type of nonimmigrant visa you will need for travel, and the steps required to apply for the visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.

For more detailed information specific to each visa type, including how-to-apply information and more, please visit the following website:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/

You can check the status of your passport application at the link below:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/status/status_2567.html

 

Application status should be available 5-7 days after applying.

 

You may also contact the National Passport Information Center if you have any questions:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/npic_898.html

Please click on the link below for contact information for foreign embassies in Washington, D.C.:

http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm 

For your consular inquiry, we invite you to visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs website at travel.state.gov. The information below is intended to help guide you to the correct information online. You may also visit the contact page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs:

http://travel.state.gov/about/contact/contact_4745.html

For U.S. Citizens:

If you need help regarding an emergency with you or a loved one living or traveling abroad, call the Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-202-501-4444 from overseas or 1-888-407-4747 from the U.S. and visit the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html

If you have a question about applying for a U.S. passport, click here:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html

If you wish to check the status of your passport application, contact the National Passport Information Center using the information linked below:

http://travel.state.gov/passport/npic/npic_898.html

If your question has to do with getting married abroad visit:

http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/marriage/marriage_589.html

For information about bringing a non-U.S. citizen fiancé or spouse to the U.S. visit:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1326.html

If you are a U.S. citizen who was born abroad and need a birth certificate (Consular Report of Birth Abroad) visit the following link:

http://travel.state.gov/law/family_issues/birth/birth_593.html

If your question has to do with entry documents (ex, visas) to visit a country overseas, find information relevant to the place you want to visit here:

http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html

For any other visa questions visit:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/about/how/how_1463.html

Questions regarding citizenship, permanent residency, and immigration to the U.S. are handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Contact them at the following link:

http://www.uscis.gov

If you need proof of your U.S. citizenship please visit:

USCIS - How to get Proof of U.S. Citizenship

For Non-US Citizens

If you wish to make a visa appointment or change your appointment, please contact your local embassy or consulate directly.

For information about the Diversity Visa Lottery please visit:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html

For information on visas for temporary visits to the U.S., please visit:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1265.html

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1286.html

Questions regarding green cards, immigration to the U.S., and U.S. citizenship are handled by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) :

http://www.uscis.gov

You can find more information about immigrating to the U.S. here:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/immigrants_1340.html

For information about J visas (exchange visitor visa programs) visit:

http://j1visa.state.gov

For any other visa issue or to get live assistance for answering your visa question, please visit

http://travel.state.gov/visa/about/how/how_1463.html

or call (202) 663-1225.

Again, for help with consular questions, please visit travel.state.gov or visit the contact page of the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

If you have a question about a job or internship application, please email careers@state.gov.   

If you are having technical problems with the USAJobs website, email Mgshelp@monster.com or call 1-866-656-6830.



The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, handles immigration questions; which include issues of permanent residency, green cards, and gaining U.S. Citizenship. USCIS provides a toll-free telephone number for immigration and naturalization questions: 1-800-375-5283 or visit their website at http://uscis.gov.

You can contact the U.S. Department of State in any of the following ways:

Main address:
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Main Switchboard:
202-647-4000
TTY:1-800-877-8339 (Federal Relay Service)

Hotline for American Travelers:
202-647-5225

Passport Information:
1-877-487-2778

Visa Information:
202-663-1225

Office of Public Engagement:
PA/PL, Rm. 2206
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20520
202-647-6575

To e-mail the U.S. Department of State, please visit the following website:

http://contact-us.state.gov/



The protection and safety of U.S. citizens is a top priority for the Department of State. The security situation on the ground in Yemen has limited the ability of many foreign governments to provide direct assistance to their citizens remaining in Yemen and all on-the-ground consular services for U.S. citizens in Yemen continue to be suspended. We are monitoring the situation closely, and are providing regular updates to the U.S. citizen community in Yemen including up-to-date information about opportunities to depart Yemen.

For more information, please click on the link below:

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/05/241938.htm

Travel warnings are listed on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html

Travel warnings are issued as needed and are in effect until the State Department issues either a new warning, or a notice that the current warning will expire. 

You can find more travel and safety guidelines on Consular Affairs' Country Specific Information pages:

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_4965.html

For information on health precautions while traveling abroad, please visit the following links:

• Health Issues while Abroad on Travel.State.Gov
• The World Health Organization's information on outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad - http://www.who.int/topics/disease_outbreaks/en/
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website for information on vaccinations and other health precautions - http://www.cdc.gov/travel
• International visitors traveling within the U.S. can call the CDC's hotline: 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)

U.S. citizens planning to travel overseas can find health information on the country of their destination by contacting the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia, through their hotline:

1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747)
fax: 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299)

Or, on their website at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, handles immigration issues. This and other information can be found by visiting their website:  http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

The State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs has some related statistics on their website:

Passport Services: Statistics
http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppi/stats/stats_890.html

Other related websites:

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service Statistics
http://www.dhs.gov/immigration-statistics

Census Bureau: Immigration Statistics

http://www.census.gov/population/www/socdemo/immigration.html

You can find information about Ambassadors and Chiefs of Missions by visiting the following website:  http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/biog/



For information on embargoes and sanctions, please visit the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control website:  

http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspx

The international schools affiliated with the Department of State are independent, non-government schools sponsored by Americans or in which American citizens have considerable interest. Since they are not controlled by the U.S. government nor do they operate under any official administrative jurisdictional umbrella, they hire teachers and staff directly, establishing their own qualification standards and application procedures. Salary levels and benefit packages vary from school to school.

Many of the American-sponsored schools overseas contract with private organizations in the United States to assist them in the recruitment process.

For more information please visit the following website:

http://www.state.gov/m/a/os/c16899.htm

Or contact:
Office of Overseas Schools
U.S. Department of State
Room H328, SA-1
Washington, D. C. 20522-0132
Tel: 202-261-8200
Fax: 202-261-8224

E-mail: overseasschools@state.gov

Secretary of State John Kerry will host the 2016 Our Ocean conference in Washington, D.C. on September 15 to 16. 

The conference will focus on the key ocean issues of our time – marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, marine pollution, and climate-related impacts on the ocean.

Please look to the official conference webpage for more information. 

For inquiries please contact OurOcean2016@state.gov.



The requirements for the DV program are established by U.S. immigration law. If you are planning to register for the DV program, please go to:  http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/immigrate/diversity-visa/entry.html



Following the initial earthquakes and subsequent rains, steep, mountainous areas had been destabilized and significant landslides had occurred. Additional landslides and avalanches may have been triggered by the May 12 earthquake, and more landslides and avalanches may be possible in such areas. Many buildings in Nepal had already experienced significant damage from the initial earthquakes, and may have suffered additional damage.

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) is on the ground conducting rescue operations and closely monitoring the situation. -- Read more at: http://blogs.state.gov/stories/2015/05/12/information-us-citizens-affected-may-12-earthquake-nepal#sthash.eiwDkwRB.dpuf

The Office of Authentications processes the authentication or apostille of documents.

In accordance with 22 CFR, Part 131, the Office of Authentications provides signed certificates of authenticity for a variety of documents to individuals, institutions, and government agencies. Examples of documents that might require authentication for use abroad include company bylaws, powers of attorney, trademark, diplomas, treaties, warrants, extraditions, agreements, certificates of good standing, and courier letters.

Learn more about authentications and apostilles by clicking the link below:

http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/english/legal-considerations/judicial/authentication-of-documents/office-of-authentications.html

Requesting Authentication Services

The U.S. Department of State Office of Authentications accepts requests via the following: mail, walk in counter, and appointments.

To check the status of your request, or for other questions regarding the authentications process, contact the Office of Authentications:

Phone:  202-485-8000

• Monday - Friday (except federal holidays)
• 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. EST

 

When submitting an inquiry via telephone, you must indicate the following:

• whether a request form DS-4194 was submitted
• full name and/or name of company
• type of document
• country of use
• number of document(s)
• complete return address
• type of mail service used to return the document(s) if applicable; include tracking number.
• type of payment submitted

 

Location

Physical Address:

  Office of Authentications
  U.S. Department of State
  600 19^th Street, NW
  Washington, DC 20006

Mailing Address:

Office of Authentications
U.S. Department of State
CA/PPT/S/TO/AUT
44132 Mercure CIR

P.O. BOX 1206

Sterling, VA 20166 1206



For information about careers in the Foreign and Civil Service; student programs and internships; and more, please visit the following website http://www.state.gov/careers/

The Secretary's Global Partnership Initiative (S/GPI) is the entry point for collaboration between the U.S. Department of State, the public and private sectors, and civil society. S/GPI strengthens and deepens U.S. diplomacy and development around the world through partnerships that leverage the creativity, innovation, and core business resources of partners for greater impact. S/GPI is working with partners across sectors, industries, and borders to promote economic growth and opportunity; to invest in the well-being of people from all walks of life; and to make democracy serve every citizen more effectively and justly.

For more information on partnering with the State Department, please contact S/GPI at partnerships@state.gov or visit www.state.gov/partnerships.

The Discover Diplomacy site has a wealth of information on the work of the Department and student resources.

Please click the link below for more information:

http://diplomacy.state.gov/discoverdiplomacy/

The U.S. government sponsors a website that provides online trade resources and one-on-one assistance for your international business. Please visit the U.S. Government Export Portal

http://www.export.gov. You can also find answers to exporting questions here.

In addition, The Office of Commercial and Business Affairs (CBA) is the primary point of contact for business concerns within the State Department. For more information on the services the CBA provides and contact information, please click here.



For information about the FSO examination, including examination dates, online registration, and examination study guides, please visit the following website:  http://www.careers.state.gov/officer/selection-process

For information on countries to which you can or cannot export and other trade restrictions, please contact the U.S. Department of the Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) directly at ofac_feedback@do.treas.gov.

For further information on trade and trade restrictions please visit the following links:

• OFAC Website
•  
• OFAC FAQs
•  
• Search the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List
•  
• Export.gov Solutions

Information on importing products into the U.S. can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at:  http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export

DS Special Agents in the United States and overseas conduct criminal investigations into passport and visa fraud. These federal felonies are often committed in connection with more other crimes, such as international terrorism, drug trafficking, organized crime, alien smuggling, money laundering, pedophilia, and murder. These investigations are critical to secure American borders and protect the national security of the United States.

More information on passport fraud can be found here:  http://www.state.gov/m/ds/investigat/

The Office of Allowances in the Bureau of Administration develops and coordinates policies, regulations, standards, and procedures to administer the government-wide allowances and benefits program abroad under the Department of State Standardized Regulations (DSSR).

For allowances and foreign per diem rates, please visit our website:  http://aoprals.state.gov/

The Fulbright Program was established in 1946 under legislation introduced by late Senator J. William Fulbright of Arkansas. The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the the United States Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

Approximately 300,000 "Fulbrighters," 114,000 from the United States and 186,000 from other countries, have participated in the Program since its inception over sixty years ago. The Fulbright Program awards approximately 8,000 new grants annually. Currently, the Fulbright Program operates in over 155 countries worldwide.

For more information, please visit the following website: http://eca.state.gov/fulbright

Use of the Great Seal of the United States is governed by Public Law 91-651, Title 18 of the United States Code. This is a criminal statute with penal provisions, prohibiting certain uses of the Great Seal that would convey or reasonably be calculated to convey a false impression of sponsorship or approval by the Government of the United States or any department, agency, or instrumentality thereof.

Although the Secretary of State is custodian of the Seal, the Department of State has no authority to grant or withhold permission for use of reproductions, facsimiles, or likenesses of the Seal, or any part thereof. The Department of Justice determines, based on the circumstances of each case, whether any particular use violates the Statute. Consequently, the Department of State's policy has been to discourage use of the Great Seal, except when used for governmental or educational purposes, and the Department does not provide artwork for its use other than for official State Department material.

The Office of Presidential Appointments manages the use of the Great Seal.

For more information on the Great Seal, please visit the following websites

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/rls/dos/9087.htm

http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/27807.pdf

(PDF requires Adobe Acrobat reader)

The State Department website provides the following resources on treaties:

•  Treaty Affairs - http://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/index.htm

• Treaty Actions - http://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/c3428.htm

• Treaties in Force  - http://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/tif/index.htm

• Archive of U.S. Bilateral Investment Treaties - http://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/depositary/index.htm

• Treaties and Other International Acts Series (TIAS) - http://www.state.gov/s/l/treaty/tias/index.htm

• Office of the Legal Adviser - http://www.state.gov/s/l/

Additional resources can be found by accessing the search engine at GPO Access: Senate, House and Treaty Documents (1995-present)

http://www.gpoaccess.gov/serialset/cdocuments/index.html

The Virtual Student Foreign Service (VSFS) program, announced by Former Secretary Clinton at the 2009 New York University commencement speech, is part of a growing effort by the State Department to harness technology and a commitment to global service among young people to facilitate new forms of diplomatic engagement.

Working from college and university campuses in the United States, American students are partnered with our embassies abroad to conduct digital diplomacy that reflects the realities of our networked world. By combining the talents of young people across America and the right technology, we can forge the solutions that our century demands.

For more information on VSFS, please contact VSFS@state.gov, and visit www.state.gov/vsfs.

For job listings in the U.S., please visit the following websites:

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, which includes descriptions of jobs, experience and education requirements, earnings, etc. can be found on this site: http://www.bls.gov/

Department of Labor: America's Job Bank (includes job listings)
http://www.ajb.dni.us/

U.S. Office of Personnel Management:  http://www.opm.gov/

USA Jobs:  https://www.usajobs.gov/ 



For the full text of the Iran Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/eb/tfs/spi/iran/jcpoa/ 

A list of the "Country Reports on Human Rights Practices" can be found at the following website:

http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/hrrpt/

For Human Rights Reports from 1993-1999 please visit:

 http://www.state.gov/www/global/human_rights/hrp_reports_mainhp.html

The International Religious Freedom Report was released on September 13, 2011. The International Religious Freedom Report is submitted to Congress annually by the Department of State in compliance with Section 102(b) of the International Religious Freedom Act (IRFA) of 1998. This report supplements the most recent Human Rights Reports by providing additional detailed information with respect to matters involving international religious freedom.

The report is a public document available online and in book form from the U.S. Government Printing Office. It includes individual country chapters on the status of religious freedom worldwide.

An electronic copy can be found on this site: http://www.state.gov/j/drl/rls/irf/

For a list of frequently asked questions, click the following link: http://www.state.gov/g/drl/irf/c13003.htm

If you have your application receipt number, you may check the following website for information on the status of your visa. The 13-character application receipt number can be found on application notices you have received from the USCIS.  https://egov.uscis.gov/cris/Dashboard.do

For inquiries about F-1 or M-1 student visas, or about J-1 exchange visitor visas, please contact our Student/Exchange Visitor Visa Center at: jvisas@state.gov or visit j1visas.state.gov.

For information about pending applications for Waiver of Foreign Residence Requirement, applicants should click the following link to see the online J waiver status: https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov/.

For other types of visas and for further questions, please contact Visa Services.

You can find information on the countries to which the U.S. gives aid, along with the justification of those funds, on the Department's newly launched Foreign Assistance Dashboard. The Foreign Assistance Dashboard provides a view of U.S. Government foreign assistance funds and enables users to examine, research, and track aid investments in a standard and easy-to-understand format.

Click Here to visit the Dashboard.



For information on open jobs at U.S. Embassies, please visit each specific embassy’s website for available international jobs. 

Embassy listings can be found here:  http://usembassy.state.gov

For information on job opportunities in the U.S. government, please visit the following websites

Office of Personnel Management: USA Jobs

https://www.usajobs.gov/; http://www.opm.gov/

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, which includes descriptions of jobs, experience and education requirements, earnings, etc.

http://www.bls.gov/

Department of Labor: America's Job Bank (includes job listings)

http://www.ajb.dni.us/

 

The wallet-size passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. However, the U.S. Passport Card cannot be used for international air travel. This travel document can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.

For more information regarding the Passport Card, please visit the following website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/ppt_card/ppt_card_3926.html



For U.S. Passport pricing and more information, please see the U.S. passport fee schedule at the following website: http://travel.state.gov/passport/fees/fees_837.html

The Office of the Historian is responsible, under law, for the preparation and publication of the official documentary history of U.S. foreign policy in the Foreign Relations of the United States series.

For more information on the Office of the Historian, please click on the following link: 

http://history.state.gov/about

The Foreign Policy Classroom website has information for registering high school aged and older students for briefings with senior State Department officials on the work being done on top foreign policy priorities. To register your school, please visit the Foreign Policy Classroom site: https://register.state.gov/ClassroomRequest/.

Any questions on the Foreign Policy Classroom program can be directed to: ForeignPolicyClassroom@state.gov.

Those interested in fine arts tours within the Department of State may consider visiting our Diplomatic Reception Rooms. These tours are recommended for students ages 12+ and adults.  For more information on touring the Diplomatic Reception Rooms, please go to: https://diplomaticrooms.state.gov/home.aspx  

Questions on tours can be directed to: TourOffice@state.gov

Students may also be interested in learning more about the State Department on this website designed exclusively for them: http://diplomacy.state.gov/discoverdiplomacy/

The U.S. Department of State applies science, technology, and innovation in the conduct of foreign relations. The Department works to build international scientific cooperation that increases worldwide economic and social development and creates innovative solutions to shared global challenges.

For more information, please click on the following link:  http://www.state.gov/e/oes/stc/stem/index.htm

For a list of former secretaries of state, please click the link below:

http://www.state.gov/secretary/former/



Please click on the link below to read about President Obama's recent launch of the Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/04/09/fact-sheet-president-s-young-leaders-americas-initiative-and-programs-su



The Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP) is a U.S. State Department-led effort to promote and spur entrepreneurship by catalyzing and coordinating private sector and U.S. Government programs to support entrepreneurs around the world.

For more information on the GEP, please click on the link below: 
http://www.state.gov/e/eb/cba/entrepreneurship/gep/

Thank you for contacting the U.S. Department of State.



For detailed information on Iran's nuclear agreement, we encourage you to click on the links below for  "A Framework to Prevent Iran from Acquiring Nuclear Weapons" and "Parameters for a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action Regarding the Islamic Republic of Iran's Nuclear Program."

https://www.whitehouse.gov/issues/foreign-policy/iran-deal

http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2015/04/240170.htm

On February 1, 2013, John Forbes Kerry was sworn in as the 68th Secretary of State of the United States, becoming the first sitting Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman to become Secretary in over a century.

Secretary Kerry joined the State Department after 28 years in the United States Senate, the last four as Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

For Secretary Kerry’s full biography, please click here.

Since the start of the outbreak, the United States has sent more than 3,000 DOD, CDC, USAID, and other U.S. health officials to Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea to assist with response efforts, as part of a 10,000-person U.S.-backed civilian response.

Click on the following link for the U.S. “Response to the Ebola Virus.”  http://www.state.gov/p/af/rt/health/ebola/

Please email CAIBRS@state.gov for all questions and comments regarding STEP registration or log in problems.

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service provided by the U.S. Government to U.S. citizens who are traveling to, or living in, a foreign country. STEP allows you to enter information about your upcoming trip abroad so that the Department of State can better assist you in an emergency. For more information on the program, click the link below:

https://travelregistration.state.gov/

For problems with online visa forms, or problems with using an online visa appointment form, please visit the following link to report the problem:

Please use this link to report broken links for any page on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website:  Travel.State.Gov