Visa Chat: Non-Immigrant Visas

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

The chat on Non-Immigrant Visas is now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope that the session was helpful and informative to all! The full transcript of the session is now available.

Important Information for Queensland Residents

We anticipate that our next consular visit to Brisbane will be in June 2008. During our periodic visits, we accept applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and U.S. passports. If you would like to be contacted when we have confirmed the date and begin preparing for our next consular visit, please send an email to queenslandacs@state.gov. In your email, please advise us with the type of service requested and your contact details. We may consider a visit to Cairns in our schedule should there be enough interest. If you would prefer a consular visit in Cairns, please indicate this in your email.

Note: We will only be accepting applications for U.S. passports that require personal appearance and/or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. No visa services will be available.

Economic Stimulus Payment — Internal Revenue Service (IRS)

Starting in May 2008, the Internal Revenue Service Department of Treasury will begin sending economic stimulus payments to more than 130 million households. To receive a payment, taxpayers must have a valid Social Security number, can not be claimed as a dependent on a tax return, have either an income tax liability or "qualifying income" of at least $3,000 and file a 2007 federal tax return. The IRS will take care of the rest. Qualifying income includes any combination of earned income and certain benefits from Social Security, Veterans Affairs or Railroad Retirement. Eligible people will receive up to $600 ($1,200 for married couples), and parents will receive an additional $300 for each eligible child younger than 17. The vast majority of people who file a 2007 income tax return qualify. Millions of retirees, disabled U.S. Veterans, Social Security Beneficiaries and low-wage workers who usually are exempt from filing a tax return must do so this year in order to receive a stimulus payment. The payment is not taxable, and it won't reduce your 2007 or 2008 refund or increase the amount you owe when you file your 2008 return.

For complete information regarding the Economic Stimulus Payment and eligibility; please refer to the Internal Revenue Service IRS website.

For low income earners and recipients of certain Social Security, veterans or Railroad Retirement benefits and who are exempt from filing U.S. taxes but are eligible to receive the Economic Stimulus Payment, you must file a 2007 federal return in order to receive the payment. Please refer to the following IRS website for more information and how to file.

Reminder: You must be filed with the IRS before April 15, 2008.

East Asia Pacific Top Stories from America.gov

America.gov Latest Items from Washington

Prime Minister Rudd Makes First Official Visit to Washington

28 March 2008 — Washington D.C.

On Friday, President Bush welcomed Prime Minister Rudd to the White House as part of the Prime Minister’s first official visit to the United States. The two leaders met on Friday morning and then held a joint press availability where both reiterated how strong our alliance is, and their confidence that our “alliance has a strong, robust future” and how our “friendship will strengthen and endure under the leadership of Kevin Rudd.” The pair also discussed the global economy and the Doha Round, the environment, and helping developing nations, as well as Iraq, to which the President expressed his appreciation of the Prime Minister as “somebody who does what he says he’s going to do.”

More information

• Transcript of Joint Press Availability with President Bush and Prime Minster Rudd
• Video of Joint Press Availability with President Bush and Prime Minister Rudd

U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard in September went into effect October 31, 2007.

The program, which allows American and Australian post-secondary students and recent graduates to work and travel in Australia or the U.S. for up to one year, further strengthens the cultural and personal ties between our two nations. Although Australia has similar arrangements with other countries, this is the first program of its kind for the United States.

Interested Australian participants must first secure sponsorship from an approved exchange organization. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has initially approved the following sponsoring organizations:

• American Institute for Foreign Study, Inc.
• Camp Counselors USA/Work Experience USA
• Core Consulting Solutions, LLC.
• Council on International Educational Exchange
• Cultural Homestay International
• InterExchange, Inc.
• International Cultural Exchange Organization, Inc.
• International Exchange of North America, Inc.
• Life Adventures, Inc.
• Walt Disney World Co.

Further information on program sponsorship for the Student Work and Travel Pilot and other exchange visitor programs is available on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Website.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.

Embassy News and Notices

• The U.S. Consulate General in Sydney will be closed on Monday, 26 May 2008, to observe Memorial Day.

Consular News

• As of Monday, September 24, 2007, you must make an appointment via our website to be allowed entry into the consular section for routine (non emergency) services. You will need to bring evidence of an existing appointment in order to be permitted access to the Consulate.

  Please follow the instructions for the particular service you require. You will find the link to making an appointment in the instructions.

  If the particular service you need does not require a personal appearance at the Consulate, you will be instructed to submit your application by mail.

  Please note: If you are collecting your passport you are not required to make an appointment. Instead, please come on or after the day listed on your collection slip and present the collection slip and a photo ID.

• Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution (17 January 2008)
• China Travel Alert (15 May 2008)
• Travel Warning: East Timor (15 February 2008)
• Avian Influenza information
• U.S. Consular Services in Australia - Find the Consulate for your region