American Citizens Services Newsletter
ACS Newsletter (September 2008)
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
Welcome to the September Newsletter! Here are this month's topics:
New Topics:
Continuing Topics of Interest:
PARALYMPICS
The U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong is ready to assist American citizens visiting the Paralympics equestrian events.
The Hong Kong government has prepared extensively for the Equestrian Events and security officials have stated that the overall terrorism threat level is moderate. In accordance with our Worldwide Caution (http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/pa/pa_1161.html), U.S. citizens are strongly encouraged to maintain a high level of vigilance, be aware of local events, and take the appropriate steps to bolster their personal security. For additional information, please refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" found at travel.state.gov.
U.S. citizens residing in or visiting Hong Kong should regularly check the Department of State's Country Specific Information for Hong Kong at travel.state.gov for the latest safety and security information, as well as the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong website at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov. Americans planning to attend the Paralympics Games are advised to register their presence with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy at http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/registration/registration_1186.html and read the updated Olympics Fact Sheet at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1762.html.
REGISTER TO VOTE NOW!
American citizens should register to vote now for the November 4, 2008 presidential and general elections. Many states close voter registration 30 days before the general election. Don't forget the time it takes for voting forms to reach the U.S. by mail.
Voters who have not yet registered to vote and requested an absentee ballot should complete a Federal Postcard Application (FPCA) on the Federal Voting Assistance Program's website at www.fvap.gov. You may also pick up a hard copy of the FPCA from any U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
You should also complete a new Federal Postcard Application if you have moved or changed your name since the last time you voted.
FPCAs may be mailed to your local voting officials in the U.S. through the regular international mail or from any U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Some states also accept FPCAs by fax or e-mail.
Voting
Your local voting officials should mail your absentee ballot 30 to 45 days before the November 4 general election to your overseas address. Return your voted ballot as early as possible. Be aware of your state's ballot receipt deadline, as well as any postmarking requirements.
Emergency Ballots
The Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB) serves as an emergency ballot for voters who registered in time but fail to receive an official ballot from local election officials. You can access the FWAB using www.fvap.gov as well.
VOTER REGISTRATION DAY AT THE CONSULATE
On September 17, from 3-7 PM, the Consulate will host a Voter Registration Day event. All American Citizens are invited to stop by our ground level waiting room to register to vote, apply for an absentee ballot and meet other Americans living and working in Hong Kong. We hope that these extended hours will allow those unable to come to our offices during the day to stop by and meet our officers face-to-face. For your convenience, we will mail any completed registration and absentee ballot requests we receive.
NEW DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY INITIATIVES
The Department of Homeland Security has recently announced the launch of three initiatives – the Global Entry pilot program, the Passenger Service Program, and an expanded Model Ports Initiative – intended to strengthen customer service at U.S. ports of entry.
Global Entry is a customer service and security program designed to expedite the screening and processing of pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the U.S. Currently only U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPR) are eligible to join. The pilot started June 6, 2008 at George Bush Intercontinental, John F. Kennedy International and Washington Dulles International airports. Global Entry applicants will voluntarily provide their biographic and biometric information, undergo a background check and complete an interview with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer. Once accepted, Global Entry travelers can use a kiosk at any of the three pilot airports to verify their identity electronically and make any needed customs declarations. CBP has been accepting applications at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov since May 12, 2008.
Under the new Passenger Service Program, CBP Program Service Managers will serve as a dedicated point of contact for identifying and resolving passenger issues. The initiative promotes customer service techniques in officer interactions with the traveling public, and includes joint efforts with the private sector and industry stakeholders to reduce wait times through the use of improved signage and technology. The program will be established at CBP's top 20 Model Ports.
The Department also is expanding the Model Ports Initiative to 18 additional airports. Originally established in 2006 as part of the Rice-Chertoff Initiative, Model Ports has enhanced border security with the use of the new technology while streamlining security processes and facilitating travel for legitimate visitors. In addition to brochures and increased signage, a new video, currently available in Spanish, French, German and English, will assist travelers through the customs and immigration process by providing practical information about the entry process and required entry documents and forms.
In a related effort, CBP is providing wait times online at http://www.cbp.gov for 16 of the busiest international airports and pedestrian wait times for 12 land border crossings in Arizona, California, and Texas.
REMINDER: NEW PASSPORT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL MINORS UNDER AGE 16
On February 1, 2008, new regulations for passports for minors came into effect. The new rule extends the two–parent consent and personal appearance requirements to all minors under the age of 16. This means that 14 and 15 year-olds must also now comply with the same rules that previously applied to minors under 14. Most significantly, a minor under age 16 MUST appear with BOTH parents when submitting an application for a passport. The appearance of both parents cannot be waived, although there is a provision, in certain circumstances, for one parent to present a letter of authorization, together with one attending parent. In addition, the application MUST include the following items:
- Application Form DS-11
- Proof of U.S. citizenship of the minor
- Documentation of evidence of child's relationship to parents/guardians
- Parental identification
- Notarized parental application authorization letter (If one parent is absent)
- Two passport photos (2x2 inches, color photo with a plain white background)
- Fees for application (US$82)
- Social Security Number
PASSPORT CARDS
The new U.S. passport card is designed to facilitate entry and expedite document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda. The card cannot be used to travel by air and cannot be used to enter or exit Hong Kong or Macau. The card will have the same validity period as a passport book: 10 years for an adult, five for children 15 and younger. For adults who already have a passport book, they may apply for the card as a passport renewal and pay only $20. First-time applicants will pay $45 for adult cards and $35 for children.
At the moment, the U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau is not able to accept applications for the passport card. Once we are able to accept such applications, an announcement will appear in this newsletter and on our website: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs.html.
CHECK YOUR PASSPORT'S VALIDITY
Please carefully review the validity of your current U.S. passport. Many governments require U.S. travelers to have at least 6 months validity left in their passports for entry into their countries. Renewing a passport is easy and new passports are typically received within 10 calendar days after the U.S. Consulate receives the application. More information can be found at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_passports.html.
NEED MORE PASSPORT PAGES?
If your full-validity U.S. passport has not expired, but has no blank pages left for visas, we can add additional pages for you free of charge. Barring any unusual circumstances, we can usually add pages to your passport in two hours or less. You need to make an appointment for this service. In some cases, you can have a courier assist you in this process. Learn more at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_supplement.html. The required form is available at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/uploads/images/Bam5ihHLq9LZ571VmrT4cw/acs_ds_4085.pdf.
ONLINE APPOINTMENT SYSTEM FOR AMERICAN CITIZENS SERVICES
Online appointments are required for all services provided by the American Citizens Services Unit at the U.S. Consulate General Hong. Book your appointment at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov. If you wish to come in for more than one service, please make more than one appointment.
INTERNET-BASED REGISTRATION SYSTEM
U.S. citizens around the world who travel or reside abroad can record foreign trip and residence information at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. The Department of State invites U.S. Citizens to register themselves and their families. The registration information is used to communicate with U.S. citizens and assist them in case of an emergency. If citizens are already registered with this consulate, the Department asks that they please re-register on line to update their records.
The registration site provides up-to-date travel information customized to each citizen's unique travel agenda and itinerary. The data citizens provide is secured behind Department of State firewalls, accessed only by cleared personnel in Embassies, Consulates, and the Department of State, and releasable only with the US Citizen's permission under the provisions of the Privacy Act.
SUBSCRIBING/UNSUBSCRIBING
Anyone who wishes to sign up to receive this monthly ACS email newsletter and the travel advice we provide can do so simply by going to our web page and submitting their email address in the fill-in box towards the bottom of the page. You can also unsubscribe through the web page.
New subscribers will be sent the last few messages we have sent out in a digest form to help them catch up. Back issues are on the web at http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov/acs_newsletter.html.
This newsletter is published by the American Citizens Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General, Hong Kong, tel: 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax: 2845-4845; e-mail: acshk@state.gov; website: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov; All services by online appointment only.
Last modified: September 4, 2008
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