What's New
New Web Site Provides Info on Adopting Children from Other Countries
In recognition of National Adoption Month, the State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has launched Adoption.state.gov, a new Web site devoted exclusively to intercountry adoption.
Last year alone, Americans adopted more than 17,000 children from abroad. Adoption.state.gov will provide adopting parents with the answers and information they need. The site includes step-by-step instructions for adopting a child from another country, and a new publication for adoptive parents, “Intercountry Adoption from A to Z.”
Adoption.state.gov provides a central resource for adopting parents, adoption agencies, and others involved in the intercountry adoption process. Prospective parents will find country specific information and background about
Adoption.state.gov also includes information such as who is eligible to adopt, from which countries Americans adopt children, what protections the Hague Adoption Convention provides families, when an organization needs to renew its accreditation, and advice to prospective parents about selecting an accredited adoption agency. The site also provides information for foreign citizens who are interested in adopting American children.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT FOR U.S. VISA APPLICANTS
On-line Visa Appointment System for Non-Immigrant Visas
The U.S. Embassy has implemented an On-line Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) Appointment System for non-immigrant visa application interviews. Effective immediately, visa applicants should use the On-line NIV Appointment System on the U.S. Embassy website to schedule visa interview appointments. Applicants who schedule their appointments through the On-line NIV Appointment System will have priority over walk-in applicants. Starting August 4, all NIV interviews must be scheduled through the On-line NIV Appointment System.
Applicants are reminded they should apply for their visas several weeks in advance of their planned travel. Same day visa issuance is not possible.
Visa applicants may access the On-line NIV Appointment System on the Embassy’s website at http://suriname.usembassy.gov under the “Visa to the US/Non-Immigrant Visas” tab.
Majority of visa Waiver Program (VWP) Countries to Meet Digital Photo Deadline
The Department of Homeland Security has clarified that initial guidance pertaining to issuance dates of passports also applies to extension of the validity of passports beyond the date noted on the biographic data page and in the Machine Readable Zone field. This means that the date that a passport is renewed or extended will determine the VWP biometric guidelines that apply to that passport. Current VWP passport guidelines can be summarized as follows:
A) Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended before 10/26/05 - no further requirements
B) Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 - require a digital photograph integrated into the data page or integrated chip containing information from the data page
C) Machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 - require an integrated chip with information from the data page
French Temporary Passports and Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Travel
No regular French passports issued since 10/26/05 are currently eligible for VWP travel; once e-passport production begins, passports with the digital photo (and chip) will be acceptable for VWP travel, and those without the digital photo will require a visa for travel to the U.S.
The New Surinamese Passport and Your U.S. Visa
Do I have to have a new Machine-Readable passport to travel to the United States? No. If you have a valid U.S. visa and any valid Surinamese passport you may travel to the United States. You may travel using the old format of the Surinamese passport or the new Machine-Readable Surinamese passport. If I have the new Surinamese Machine-Readable passport do I still need a visa?
Yes. All Surinamese citizens traveling to the United States need a valid U.S. visa. What should I do if my valid U.S. visa is in my expired passport and I have a new Surinamese passport?
If the visa in your expired passport is still valid, you should travel with both your new passport and your expired passport. When you arrive in the United States you should present both passports to immigration officials. Show your valid passport and the visa page in your expired passport. Do not remove the valid U.S. visa from your expired passport.
Animated Video of Application Process
To view an animated video that shows the steps in the visa application process from application to entry into and departure from the United States click here .
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative
The U.S. Government launched a new travel initiative to better secure U.S. borders and to expedite travel to the United States. This initiative will require all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other acceptable travel document (as defined in the enclosures) to enter or re-enter the United States. For more deatails please click on the links below:
State Department Press Release
Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative FAQ's
Avian Influenza Virus
If you would like to learn more about Avian flu, also commonly referred to as “bird flu”, please click on the links below: