US Consular Processing in France

Frédérique An award winning biologist for whom we obtained a green card based upon her outstanding research.

The Office of American Services of the American Embassy in Paris, France

The Hours of the Office of American Services of the American Embassy in Paris have changed to the following:

Passport applications: Monday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Notarial and other services: Tuesday – Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

The new hours are part of a series of changes that the Embassy is making to address new requirements and increased processing time for passport applications, insufficient waiting room space for a rising number of American citizen and visa clients, and staffing shortages. Other changes include the following:

• Those applicants who are eligible to apply for a new passport by mail MUST apply by mail. They no longer accept these applications in person. This applies to standard renewals, added visa pages, and name changes with valid court documents. To renew their passports by mail, Americans must be in possession of a full-validity (10-year) passport issued within the past 15 years and issued when they were at least 16 years old.

• All passport applicants must now provide a self-addressed postage-paid envelope (registered mail or Chronopost) in which the new passport is returned. Passport pickup at the Embassy will no longer be possible.

• All passport applicants appearing in person must bring with them two photos that meet U.S. passport requirements. A list of photographers who can meet these specifications, can be found at http://www.amb-usa.fr/consul/FORMS/oas_photo.pdf

• Emergency passport applications must now show proof of imminent travel.

• All Americans resident overseas should be aware of the expiration dates of their passports and should renew these within a few months prior to the end of their validity.

Important U.S. Passport Info!

To all parents of American children under the age of fourteen:

The Department of State has amended the two-parent passport consent rule in order to deter fraud and child abduction. The amendment requires that the statement of consent from a non-applying parent of a minor under the age of fourteen be notarized. The effective date of the new rule is November 1, 2004. We encourage the personal appearance of both parents to execute the passport application of a minor under the age of fourteen. If one parent does not appear and the applying parent does not have a document to show his/her authority to apply alone, a notarized statement of consent is required from the non-appearing parent. This statement must indicate that parent's unequivocal consent to passport issuance. Statements notarized by foreign officials will be accepted but must be in English. Please note that French notaries generally will not notarize documents in English. For more information on applying for a passport for a minor under the age of fourteen, please visit our website at http://www.amb-usa.fr or http://paris.usembassy.gov under "American Citizen Services".

New Euro Exchange Rate for Consular Services

As of Monday June 20, 2005, the exchange rate for all consular transactions will be 0,85 Euro = 1 Dollar. As a result, the application fee for Nonimmigrant visas will be 85 Euros. The rate that will apply for all transactions is the rate that is in effect when you have paid for the service. This rate between the Euro and the U.S. Dollar should be used for all United States Consular fees paid in Euros. Please do not use the daily market rate or any other rate. This rate is subject to change without notice.

• All visa fees must be paid in EUROS.

New U.S. Regulations for Overseas Travelers and Residents

Starting October 26, 2004, travelers from the 21 countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program will have to present machine-readable passports at U.S. ports of entry in order to be admitted without a visa. Those without such passports will have to apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate before travel, which may require lengthy processing.

The countries covered by the Visa Waiver Program are Australia, Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.

Visa applicants now have an inkless finger scan taken at the time of their visa interview. Exceptions will be made for children 13 years old and younger, applicants over 80 years old and older, and diplomats and other government officials traveling on official business.

Since January, foreign visitors entering the United States with a visa have been required to present fingerprints and pose for a digital photograph employing biometric methods – physical characteristics unique to each individual – to establish identity. This procedure, known as US-VISIT, has now been extended to travelers entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program, regardless of the type of passport they carry. All travelers between the ages of 14 and 79 years will have a finger scan and photograph taken upon arrival at the airport or seaport in the United States.

For more information about the Consular Section's recent changes or about requirements, forms, or tips for a smooth visit to the Consular Section, please contact our Paris office at (01) 44.71.35.28.

You may also visit http://www.amb-usa.fr .