American Citizen Newsletters

January 2008

Consular Information Program

Last month, we noted that an updated Consular Information Sheet for the UK is available on the Department of State’s travel information website, travel.state.gov. Those of you who have visited the site recently may have noticed some changes introduced in early January.

Consular Information Sheets, along with Public Announcements and Travel Warnings, were part of the State Department’s tiered Consular Information Program, which is designed to inform Americans of potential threats to their safety abroad. Effective January 2, the term "Travel Alert" replaced the term "Public Announcement," and the term "Country Specific Information" replaced "Consular Information Sheet." These terms were changed because they often seemed ambiguous to the general public. The new terms – Travel Alert and Country Specific Information – more effectively describe the purpose of these documents.

Country Specific Information is just that – information Americans may need while traveling or residing in a specific country. Travel Alerts, like the Public Announcements they replace, describe short-term conditions affecting a country or region that pose imminent risks to the security of U.S. citizens. Travel Warnings describe longer-term, protracted conditions that make a country dangerous or unstable. A Travel Warning is also issued when the U.S. Government’s ability to assist American citizens is constrained due to the closure of an embassy or consulate or because of a staff drawdown.

The State Department also issues Worldwide Cautions, which are designed to remind Americans to maintain a high level of vigilance and to bolster their personal security while overseas. The Worldwide Caution pays particular attention to regions of concern where there is a continued threat of terrorism.

All of this information is continually reviewed by the State Department. Because a Travel Alert describes short-term conditions, its information is generally valid for the duration of the Alert, normally 90 days or less. Travel Warnings and Worldwide Cautions are reviewed continually and are updated every six months or earlier, as needed. They do not expire automatically.

Talk with the Consul Webchat on January 24

With the start of the New Year, we are resuming our bi-monthly "Talk with the Consul" Webchats, where we pool together the expertise of our consular section for an hour-long question-and-answer session about issues affecting Americans in the UK. Our next "Talk with the Consul" Webchat is scheduled for 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 24. All you need to do is go to http://webchat.state.gov and follow the instructions. You can even provide us with questions beforehand if you won’t be at a computer on the day of the chat. We look forward to hearing from you!

Changes to Passport Regulations

We noted the following passport regulation changes last month, but because of their significant impact, we are repeating the notification.

Passports for Minors

New regulations governing issuance of U.S. passports to minors go into effect on February 1, 2008. 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 the age 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 provision, in certain circumstances, for one parent to present a letter of authorization, together with one attending parent). Current information about passport applications for children can be found at http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/passports/under14.html .

Entering the United States by Land from Canada or Mexico

Currently, Americans entering or leaving the United States by land from Canada or Mexico may simply declare that they are American citizens and be admitted. Beginning January 31, 2008, the Department of Homeland Security plans to move towards Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) implementation at land and sea ports of entry by ending the routine practice of accepting oral declarations of citizenship alone. Citizens of the United States, Canada, Bermuda, and Mexico will need to present the following to enter or depart the United States by land or sea:



• Ages 19 and older: a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate.
• Children ages 18 and younger: proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
• Passports and trusted traveler program cards – NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST – will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel.



Now is the best time to apply for your U.S. passport, as demand is traditionally lower at this time of year.

The full requirements of the WHTI will be implemented by summer 2008. Additional information can be found at http://travel.state.gov/travel/cbpmc/cbpmc_2223.html or http://www.dhs.gov/xtrvlsec/crossingborders/whtibasics.shtm .

Changes in U.S. Adoption Regulations

On December 12, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Maura Harty deposited the United States' instrument of ratification of the Hague Convention on the Protection of Children and Co-Operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption at a ceremony in The Hague.

The United States is now a full member of the Hague Adoption Convention, which will enter into force for the United States on April 1, 2008.  As of that date, the Convention will govern intercountry adoptions between the United States and other Convention member countries in accordance with the provisions of the Intercountry Adoption Act of 2000 (PL 106-279). 

The Hague Adoption Convention establishes internationally accepted safeguards to ensure that intercountry adoptions occur in the best interests of children. It affirms the principle that such adoptions are an essential way to provide permanent, loving homes to orphans who have not been adopted within their extended families or local communities. It promotes transparency and ethical practice.

Changes to U.S. procedures under the Hague Adoption Convention include:

• Federal certification of U.S. adoption service providers working in Hague Adoption Convention countries, and a complaint registry that will enable the Department of State to monitor and enforce compliance with Convention standards.
• Required procedures and safeguards designed to keep adoption a not-for-profit activity whose sole purpose is to identify loving homes for children who need them.
• Training, best practices and other support for adoption officials, social workers, and judges in adoption source countries.

For more information, see the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs website at http://travel.state.gov .

Proposed Changes in UK Visa Regulations

The UK Government is accepting comments on proposed changes to its visitor visa regulations. The proposed changes include a reduction in the validity of the standard tourist visa from six to three months, the creation of a specific business and specialist visa, requiring some travelers to make a refundable financial deposit designed to ensure that visiting foreign family members depart the UK before their visa expires, and creating a specific visa for one-off events, such as the Olympics. By the spring of this year, the UK expects to collect fingerprints from all visa applicants. Currently, the UK is collecting fingerprints from visa applicants in 120 countries.

For more information or to comment on the proposed changes, see the UK Home Office website at : http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/about-us/news/visitor-visas-changes . The Home Office is accepting public comment on the proposal until March 10, 2008.

Proposed Changes in UK Taxation of Long-Term Residents

The UK Government is accepting comments on a proposal to tax the overseas-earned income of people who have resided in the UK for more than seven years, but maintain a "domicile" outside the UK. For those Americans who plan to reside in the UK for less than seven years, or whose sole sources of income are within the UK, the proposal may have no impact. But for others the impact could range from additional paperwork to a significantly higher tax obligation.

For more information or to comment on the proposed changes, see the HM Treasury website at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/consultations_and_legislation/residence_domicile/consult_residence_domicile.cfm . HM Treasury is accepting public comment on the proposal until February 28, 2008.

Don’t Wait Until the "Normal Retirement Age" to File for Medicare

Full retirement age (also called "normal retirement age") had been 65 for many years. However, the 1983 Social Security Amendments included a provision for raising the full retirement age beginning with people born in 1938 or later. Effectively, this means that since 2003 (when people born in 1938 started turning 65), the age at which you can receive full retirement benefits has risen. As per the chart at http://ssa.gov/pubs/retirechart.htm the normal retirement age in 2008 will be 65 years and 10 months, rather than 65.

Since full retirement benefits are no longer available at age 65, many people wait until after age 65 to contact us about filing for Medicare as well. This could be a mistake.

If you’ve worked in the United States for 10 years or more and are a frequent visitor to the United States or stay for extended periods, or plan to move back to the United States, you should seriously consider filing for Medicare at age 65. As we noted last month, Medicare benefits are generally only available for treatment in the United States.

Medicare Part A Hospital Insurance is free, if you are fully insured. As a general rule this means that you must have at least 10 years or 40 credits on your Social Security record. You can enroll for Medicare Part A at anytime from three months before age 65 onwards. If you file for Medicare, you don’t have to file for benefits at the same time.

Medicare Part B Medical insurance is optional. It helps pay for doctors’ services and supplies that are not covered by Medicare Part A. However, there is a seven-month window for first-time enrollment. It consists of the three months before age 65, the month of attaining age 65, and the three following months. If this window is missed, enrollment can only be made between January 1st and March 31st of subsequent years. Late enrollment also means there will be a higher premium. If you would like more detailed information about Medicare, please visit http://www.medicare.gov .

If you want to make an appointment to file for Medicare or Social Security benefits, please contact the Federal Benefits Unit that serves you.

Last-Minute Patch on the Alternative Minimum Tax – Are You Using the Right Tax Forms?

It is almost tax time...again! And, as a reminder, most Americans living outside the United States still need to file a U.S. tax return. (See http://london.usembassy.gov/irs/irswho.htm for more information about filing requirements).

The IRS has announced that the filing season will open on time, with one exception. Congress enacted a last-minute patch on Alternative Minimum Tax (AMT) legislation, requiring the reprogramming of some IRS systems. For tax-year 2007, Congress raised the AMT exemption to $66,250 for a married couple filing a joint return, $33,125 for a married person filing separately, and $44,350 for singles and heads of household. The processing of tax returns that use forms related to the AMT will be delayed until February 11, 2008.

How does this affect you? Make sure you check the IRS website (http://www.irs.gov) to ensure you have up-to-date forms. Forms are not put on the website until they are complete and accurate. Although tax returns that include AMT calculations cannot be processed by the IRS until February 11, 2008, you can still file your paper or electronic return before that date. If you are expecting a refund, you may have to wait a little longer than usual. Further information on this can be found on the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=177009,00.html .

Regardless of your AMT situation, the IRS reminds taxpayers using tax preparation software to check for updates before filing. For other changes for tax year 2007, see the IRS website at: http://www.irs.gov (Highlights of 2007 Tax Changes). The website also has tax forms, instructions, and publications which can be downloaded and printed, as well as links for filing and paying tax electronically.

Election 2008: Registering to Vote for the Upcoming Presidential Primaries

Election season is approaching a peak in activity with the February 5 "Super Tuesday" series of primaries. The range of primary styles even at this early stage reflects the diversity of the United States – from the caucuses in Iowa to the polling in New Hampshire. The upcoming election events promise to make for an exciting month in American politics during late January and early February. There is still time to register to vote for most of the upcoming State primaries—including most of those taking place on February 5, 2008. Each State has its own respective deadline for requesting an absentee ballot. Request your ballot today in order to make your vote count. Should your State's deadline have already passed, you should still submit your ballot request. Your request for an absentee ballot will still allow you to vote in the November 2008 Presidential election.

Please consult your State-specific instructions on the Federal Voting Assistance Program (FVAP) website at http://www.fvap.gov/pubs/vag.html#ch3 for more information on how to submit your request for an absentee ballot. Remember that many States, but not all, allow for electronic submission (via either fax or e-mail) of the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA) and that this can save valuable time in meeting the State-specific deadlines. Either fax or e-mail (and always subsequently mail) your FPCA to your local State government entity responsible for voter registration according to the instructions for your State.

As always, the Embassy stands ready to help guide you through the absentee voter registration process. You can fill out and mail your FPCA by going to voting website at http://www.fvap.gov or to our Embassy website at: http://london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/scs/voting.html .

You can also contact our voting unit by sending an e-mail to LondonVote@state.gov .

If you do not have access to the Internet, you can send a written request for an FPCA to: American Embassy, Voting Unit, 24 Grosvenor Square, London W1A 2LQ. Please provide your name, full UK mailing address, your current or last State of residence in the United States, and the number of application forms you require.

U.S. citizens may also contact the Federal voting ombudsman for help with absentee voting problems and issues. If dialing from the UK, the toll-free number (yes, toll-free, even from the UK!) is 0800-169-8035. Additional information about toll-free numbers to contact FVAP can be found at http://www.fvap.gov/services/tollfree.html#voice .

Calendar of American Cultural Events in the UK

For those looking for a taste of American culture in the UK, there is always something going on. The Embassy maintains a calendar of American cultural events online at http://london.usembassy.gov/culture/index.html .

Some upcoming events include:

An Evening with ENO Singers, presented by the American Friends of the English National Opera, January 15 from 6:30 p.m. at 22 Mansfield Street, London W1.

An American's Passion for British Art: Paul Mellon’s Legacy, through January 27, at the Yale Center for British Art.

30th London International Mime Festival, January 12-27, at the Southbank Centre.

American Dreams: hope, faith, life, love: Ex Cathedra performs a program of choral music focused on American composers of the 20th and 21st centuries, January 26 through February 2, in Birmingham and London.

Ensemble Intercontemporain will perform Olivier Messiaen's work From the Canyons to the Stars, which was intended for the U.S. bicentennial in 1976 and takes its inspiration from the canyons of Utah, February 2 at the Southbank Centre.

See http://london.usembassy.gov/culture/index.html for more information about these and many other events.

Embassy Closures

The Embassy will be closed on January 21, 2008, for Martin Luther King Day and on Monday, February 18, 2008, for Washington’s Birthday.

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