Upcoming U.S. Consulate Events
Visa Chat: The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) & the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Wednesday, 6 August 2008
The chat room is now closed. A transcript of the session is now available.
Important Information for Queensland Residents
We anticipate that our next consular visit to Brisbane will be in the week beginning November 3, 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 include the applicant’s name, date of birth, contact name, address, telephone number, and the type of service requested.
Note: We will only be accepting applications for U.S. passports and/or Consular Reports of Birth Abroad. No visa services will be available.
Latest news 
Orange and Parkes Host Ambassador McCallum
Orange & Parkes — 17-19 June 2008
From June 17th to June 19th, Ambassador McCallum and Mrs. McCallum traveled to regional New South Wales to participate in outreach activities in Orange and Parkes. While in Orange, they had lunch with Mayor Cr John Davis, they visited the Orange Regional Gallery, and interacted with students at Orange High School. They also had morning tea with the Country Women’s Association of Orange, toured an apple farm courtesy of the New South Wales Farmers Association, and learned more about Orange’s local products through Taste Orange. While in Parkes, they toured more farming property thanks to the New South Wales Farmers Association, visited “The Dish” at the Parkes Observatory, had afternoon tea with the organizers of the annual Parkes Elvis Festival, and participated in a civic reception hosted by Parkes Mayor Cr Robert Wilson. Ambassador McCallum and Mrs. McCallum also spoke at a dinner hosted by the Rotary Clubs of Orange and Parkes, held at the Orange Ex Services Club.
Ambassador Reaches Out to Queensland
Brisbane & Townsville — June 2008
In early June, Ambassador McCallum and Mrs. McCallum traveled to the state of Queensland for a week of outreach activities. While in Brisbane, they ventured to the Australia Zoo to deliver anti-wildlife trafficking public service announcements, featuring Harrison Ford, and to thank the Zoo staff for their efforts in wildlife conservation. They also were interviewed by ABC Radio Brisbane, met with the editorial board of the Courier Mail, toured the Port of Brisbane, spoke to students and professors at Griffith University, and visited Queensland’s Gallery of Modern Art.
After Brisbane, they flew to Townsville. While in Townsville, Ambassador and Mrs. McCallum visited the 3rd Brigade to thank Brigadier John Caligari and his soldiers for their efforts and sacrifices in Afghanistan, East Timor, and throughout the world. They met with James Cook University Vice-Chancellor Professor Harding, toured the university campus, and interacted with students. They also were interviewed by ABC Radio Townsville, spoke to a local business organization, received briefings from the Institute of Marine Science, and participated in a reception hosted in their honor by Mayor of Townsville Cr Les Tyrell.
U.S. Announces Electronic Authorization System for Visa Waiver Travel
3 June 2008
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that, beginning on a voluntary basis in August 2008, travelers using the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) may provide certain information electronically before traveling to the United States. The system does not affect those travelers who have obtained a valid visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas.
Currently, citizens of VWP countries complete a written form providing basic biographic, travel, and eligibility information while en route to the U.S. Under the electronic system, VWP travelers would provide this information online prior to their departure for the United States.
Once the electronic system becomes mandatory, likely in January 2009, all travelers entering the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship.
The Government of Australia has a similar program, called the Electronic Travel Authority.
More information
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
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.
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Updates from the U.S. Embassy
Embassy News and Notices
- The U.S. Consulate General in Sydney will be closed on Monday, 1 September 2008, to observe Labor Day.
Consular News
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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 (16 July 2008)
- China Travel Alert (3 July 2008)
- Travel Warning: East Timor (15 February 2008)
- Avian Influenza information
- U.S. Consular Services in Australia - Find the Consulate for your region
Last update Friday, 15 August 2008
