American Citizens Services
November 2009 American Citizen Services Newsletter
U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau
New Topics:
Continuing Topics of Interest:
H1N1: UPDATE REGARDING H1N1 VACCINE
Limited quantities of H1N1 vaccines are now being distributed in the United States. According to credible reports we have received, the H1N1 vaccine will not be available in Hong Kong or Macau until December. Implementation plans for the local vaccination programs are currently under development by the Hong Kong and Macau governments. To learn more about the availability of the H1N1 vaccine in Hong Kong or Macau, please check the Hong Kong Center for Health Protection website or the Macau Health Bureau website.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control has recommended that certain groups of the population receive the 2009 H1N1 vaccine when it first becomes available. These target groups include pregnant women, people who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, people between the ages of 6 months and 24 years old, and people between the ages of 25 through 64 years old who are at higher risk for 2009 H1N1 because of chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems. If you would like to read more about the flu vaccine or the CDC's recommendations for vaccination, please go to "2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine: Questions & Answers" web page
The priority that the Hong Kong or Macau governments will place on vaccinating tourists and temporary residents is not yet clear. Moreover, the U.S. Consulate general is not in a position to provide private U.S. citizens with vaccines or antiviral medications due to legal restrictions and a lack of sufficient resources. This, and other pandemic-related information for private citizens, is available at "Tips for Traveling Abroad" web page. If you are in a high-risk group, you may want to consider being inoculated while in the United States. If you have questions about whether you should be vaccinated, please contact your healthcare provider. A list of medical service providers in Hong Kong and Macau may be found on our website.
EDUCATION USA: NOVEMBER EVENTS
The EducationUSA Advising Center is hosting an Expo for U.S. creative and performing arts programs from October 15 to November 30. The Expo will feature accredited academic degree and non-degree creative and performing arts programs from U.S. boarding schools, colleges and universities including fine arts, design, film, graphic design, architecture, theater, music, photography, electronic gaming and dance. For more information, please visit the Expo website.
EducationUSA activities you may wish to mark on your calendar are:
- The North American Boarding Schools Fair on Saturday November 7, 2-5pm. The event is free and open to the public.
- Seminar on how to apply to U.S. schools and the value and rewards of studying the creative and performing arts in the United State on Saturday, November 14, 2 - 5 pm at the Education USA advising center in Sheung Wan . The event is free.
For info, call 2103 1509 or email info@iiehongkong.org.
HAVE YOU UPDATED YOUR VOTING ADDRESS LATELY?
Elections for Congress, state, and many municipal offices will take place across the U.S. in November. To update your voting address or to request your absentee ballot from your state election authority, follow the instructions on the Federal Voting Assistance Program website or visit the Consulate.
NEW IRS GUIDELINES FOR EXPATRIATION
The IRS has released guidelines explaining how new rules impact those who decide to give up their citizenship or legal permanent residence after June 16, 2008.
The new expatriation rules apply if:
- Your average annual net income tax for the 5 years ending before the date of expatriation or termination of residency is more than $139,000 (if you expatriated or terminated residency before January 1, 2009).
- Your net worth is $2 million or more on the date of your expatriation or termination of residency.
- You fail to certify on Form 8854 that you have complied with all U.S. federal tax obligations for the 5 years preceding the date of your expatriation or termination of residency.
If you expatriated before June 17, 2008, the expatriation rules in effect at that time continue to apply.
For more information, please see the following website: "Publication 519 - U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens"*(PDF file) or "New Rules for Former U.S. Citizens and Former Long-Term Residents" web page.
TRAVEL SAFETY UPDATES
The Department of State has issued a Travel Alert for China, regarding H1N1 quarantine procedures, available online at "China Travel Alert - H1N1 Quarantine Measures June 2009" web page.
To read the Travel Alert regarding security concerns in the Xinjiang Uyghur region, please click the following link: "Travel Alert - China - Security Concerns in the City of Urumqi" web page.
The Department has also released a Travel Warning for the Philippines, calling attention to terrorist and insurgent activities in the southern islands of Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. Please click the following link for more information: "Travel Warning - Philippines" web page.
As you make your travel plans, don't forget to check Bureau of Consular Affairs website for the most current safety and security information, or visit the Consular Affairs twitter page.
UPCOMING CLOSURES
The Consulate General will be closed in observance of Veterans Day on November 11, and Thanksgiving Day on November 26.
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This newsletter is published by the American Citizens Services Unit, U.S. Consulate General Hong Kong and Macau. Tel: 2841-2211, 2841-2323, 2841-2225; fax: 2845-4845; e-mail: acshk@state.gov; website: http://hongkong.usconsulate.gov. All services are by online appointment only. The return address listed above does not accept replies directly from this message.
Last modified: November 2, 2009
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