AMERICAN CITIZENS SERVICES NEWSLETTER
U.S. EMBASSY KYIV, UKRAINE
April 18, 2008
Through the American Citizens Services newsletter, the U.S. Embassy provides security and other information of general interest to U.S. citizens in Ukraine who have subscribed by registering with the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv and providing an email address. This newsletter also serves as a test of our ability to reach Americans in Ukraine in the event of a wide-scale emergency. If you believe others would benefit from receiving this newsletter, please forward it to them and encourage them to subscribe. Please see the information on subscription at the bottom of this newsletter.
The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy will be closed to the public during the week of April 28, 2008 through May 02, 2008. American Citizens Services Unit will resume its regular work on May 05, 2008. For emergency assistance on April 29th and 30th, you can contact the American Citizens Services Unit directly at (+38 044) 490 4445. For the rest of the week emergency assistance will be handled by the Embassy Duty Officer at (+38 044) 490-4000.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
NEW AMERICAN CITIZENS SERVICES HOURS
Effective May 5, 2008, American Citizens Services Unit public hours are 10:00 A.M. till 1:00 P.M., Monday through Friday, except for American and Ukrainian holidays. Notary Services (including Letters of Non-Impediment to Marriage) are available ON FRIDAYS ONLY BETWEEN 9:00 A.M. AND 10:00 A.M.
VOTING INFORMATION:
All American citizens are reminded that 2008 is a presidential election year in the United States.
Voters may use the electronic version of the FPCA to register to vote and/or request absentee ballots . The FPCA may be mailed to local election officials through the international mail (with appropriate postage), or voters can print out the attached postage-paid mailing label, affix it to an envelope, and send the FPCA in that envelope through the Embassy's diplomatic pouch system. Both the electronic FPCA and postage-paid envelope template are available at www.fvap.gov .
The Voting Assistance Officer at the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy, Kyiv, Ukraine is always available to answer questions about absentee voting. To contact the Voting Assistance Officer, call 8-044-490-4445 or send an e-mail. Look for notices from the Embassy/Consulate throughout the year relating to the 2008 elections.
U.S. VOTING INFORMATION CENTER:
(703) 588-1343
DSN 425-1343
TOLL FREE: 1-800-438-VOTE (8683)
Visit the website for international toll-free phone and fax numbers www.fvap.gov .
VOTING RELATED LINKS OF INTEREST TO OVERSEAS CITIZENS
Association of Americans Resident Overseas (AARO): aaro.org
Federation of American Women's Club Overseas (FAWCO): www.fawco.org
American Citizens Abroad (ACA): www.aca.ch
Overseas Vote Foundation: www.overseasvotefoundation.org/overseas/home.htm
Democrats Abroad: www.democratsabroad.org
Republicans Abroad: www.republicansabroad.com
The American Citizen Services does not exercise any editorial control over the information you may find at these locations. Such links are provided consistent with the stated purpose of this paragraph of the newsletter.
GLOBAL ENTRYTM PILOT PROGRAM - Expedited Screening, Processing for Pre-screened International Travelers
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the Global EntryTM pilot program, scheduled to launch this summer. Global EntryTM is designed to expedite the screening and processing of low-risk, frequent international “trusted” travelers entering the United States.
Global EntryTM will be available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers, provided they have not been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense, or declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration legislation. Biometric fingerprint technology will be used to verify the passenger’s identity and confirm his or her status as a Global EntryTM participant.
The pilot will be initially conducted at John F. Kennedy International Airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. The program will begin processing applications from the public starting May 12 with operations at the three initial airports scheduled to begin June 10.
Upon returning from international travel, Global EntryTM -enrolled travelers may bypass the regular passport control line and proceed directly to the Global EntryTM kiosk. At the kiosk, the Global Entry™ traveler will activate the system by inserting his or her passport or U.S. permanent resident card into the document reader. The kiosk will direct the traveler to electronically provide his or her fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprint biometrics on file. A digital photograph will also be taken of the traveler as part of the transaction record. Finally, the traveler will be prompted to answer several CBP declaration questions posted on the kiosk’s touch-screen. Once the process is successfully completed, the traveler will be issued a transaction receipt which must be presented to the CBP officer as the participant leaves the CBP inspection area.
Applications for enrollment in the Global EntryTM program will be available through the Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES). ( Travel ) The Global EntryTM application process consists of three steps. First, an applicant must complete and submit an on-line application through GOES and pay a $100 fee through www.Pay.gov. CBP officers will review the applicant’s information and a background investigation will be conducted. Finally, the applicant will undergo an interview with CBP officers at an Enrollment Center at JFK, Houston or Dulles Airport.
CBP is working with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to develop a Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-wide approach to registered traveler programs. Current NEXUS and SENTRI members should watch for additional information on how their membership will allow them to use the Global EntryTM kiosks.
After the Global EntryTM pilot has been evaluated, DHS plans to foster close ties among Global EntryTM and other vetted populations, such as TSA’s Registered Traveler Program, where appropriate.
DHS also envisions the development of reciprocal Global EntryTM programs with other countries. The United States will realize two benefits upon entering into bi-lateral agreements:
1.expedited entry processing of U.S. citizens traveling to other countries and
2.additional vetting of foreign nationals performed by their governments based on guidelines agreed to with DHS.
Conversations with foreign partners are currently underway. For more information please visit Frequently Asked Questions. ( Global EntryTM FAQs )
UKRAINIAN DECORATED EGGS PROHIBITED ENTRY INTO U.S.
The Embassy has been informed that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Control (CBP) is enforcing a ban on the importation into the U.S. of whole painted egg shells originating in countries infected with Exotic Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza. This includes the decorative Ukrainian Easter eggs known as "pysanky." Despite the egg shells being painted and coated with wax in most cases, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations still apply.
Airline passengers found to have such items will be given the option to 1) immediately export; 2) destroy under CBP supervision; or 3) authorize movement to an approved establishment. In most circumstances when found in passenger baggage, whole empty egg shells will be seized for destruction.
CBP enforces USDA regulations. For further information visit www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel.
CHANGES IN USPS POSTAGE RATES – Effective May 12, 2008
Effective May 12, 2008, domestic prices and fees for all classes of mail and extra services will increase by between one and five cents for first class and certified mail, and more for priority and express mail. The new rates will be as follows:
The new USPS rates and U.S. zip code zone charts are posted on USPS website www.usps.com/prices/welcome.htm.
Selected Rate Changes
| Current | New |
| First-Class Letter (1 oz.) 41¢ | 42¢ |
| First-Class Letter (2 oz.) 57¢ | 59¢ |
| Postcard 26¢ | 27¢ |
| Priority Mail (1 lb.) $4.60 | $4.80 |
| Express Mail (1/2 lb) $14.15 | $14.65 |
| Express Mail (2 lb) $19.30 | $20.15 |
REQUEST FOR CELLULAR TELEPHONE NUMBERS FOR TEXT-MESSAGING
The American Citizens Services Unit of the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv has implemented a text messaging network, whereby registered American citizens in Ukraine can receive short text messages (SMS). The SMS is sent to cellular telephones, informing the user that a new warden message has been issued (i.e., posted on the Embassy website and e-mailed to individual registrants) and providing important information in case of an emergency. Since some of our registrants do not have constant access to the Internet, this text-messaging capability enhances our ability to contact Americans in the event of an emergency.
As with all personal information provided by American citizens, we consider privacy and information technology security to be a top priority. We will ensure that cellular phone numbers are protected properly as required by law.
If you would like to participate, please make sure that your cellular telephone supports the text messaging option and provide us with your phone number in the following format: (2-digit country code)(3-digit provider code)(7-digit number) without blank spaces, brackets or any other symbols. For example, a UMC cellular phone number in Ukraine will look like the following: 380501234567. Please send the phone number, along with your name, bye-mail . We encourage your participation as an emergency preparedness measure.
INTERNET-BASED REGISTRATION SYSTEM (IBRS)
The Embassy strongly encourages all American citizens residing or traveling abroad to register with us.
U.S. citizens around the world who travel or reside abroad can access the State Department’s secure online registration website either through a link on travel.state.gov or directly at travel.state.gov or directly at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. We invite you to register yourself and your family and get acquainted with travel registration. Even if you believe you are already registered with this Embassy, please take a minute to check your record and update any information that may have changed.
Long-term visitors registered with the U.S. Embassy are encouraged to update their registration form whenever their contact details, including e-mail addresses change.
If you encounter any difficulties or have any questions about the State Department’s registration website, please send an e-mail. If you have specific questions about your registration with this Embassy please govcontact us">.
CURRENT TRAVEL WARNINGS:
Travel Warnings are issued when the State Department recommends that Americans avoid a certain country. The countries listed below are currently on that list. In addition to this list, the State Department issues Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world with information on such matters as the health conditions, crime, unusual currency or entry requirements, any areas of instability, and the location of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country. The date next to the country name indicates when the country was added to the list. If the country is not excluded from the list, the warning for the country is still up-to-date
Syria 04/15/2008
Haiti 04/11/2008
Yemen 04/07/2008
Eritrea 03/26/2008
Algeria 03/26/2008
Chad 03/25/2008
Central African Republic 03/25/2008
Kenya 03/21/2008
Israel, the West Bank and Gaza 03/19/2008
Sudan 03/14/2008
Nepal 02/25/2008
Timor-Leste 02/15/2008
Philippines 02/13/2008
Sri Lanka 02/08/2008
Afghanistan 02/06/2008
Colombia 02/05/2008
Congo, Democratic Republic of the 01/08/2008
Iran 01/03/2008
Saudi Arabia 12/19/2007
Burundi 12/10/2007
Cote d'Ivoire 12/05/2007
Somalia 11/13/2007
Nigeria 10/30/2007
Uzbekistan 10/25/2007
Lebanon 10/17/2007
Indonesia 10/05/2007
Pakistan 09/21/2007
Iraq 07/23/2007
For more details on specific countries in the list, please, follow the link of the Department of State, Consular Affairs website.
OTHER USEFUL INTERNET ADDRESSES AVAILABLE FOR U.S. CITIZENS
U.S. Federal Government: www.firstgov.gov
U.S. Department of State Consular Affairs: travel.state.gov
Overseas Security Advisory Council: www.osac.gov
U.S. Department of Homeland Security: www.dhs.gov
U.S. Federal Aviation Administration: www.faa.gov
U.S. Internal Revenue Service: www.irs.gov
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov
World Health Organization www.who.org
Social Security Administration: www.ssa.gov
SSA Newsletter: www.ssa.gov/enews
Federal Voting Assistance: www.fvap.gov
2008 US Elections: usinfo.state.gov/politics/elections
U.S. Customs & Border Protection: www.cbp.gov (for information including importation of household pets, animal and plant health inspection, etc)
U.S. Department of Agriculture: www.usda.gov (for information on food products, food safety and inspection service)
U.S. Postal Inspection Service: www.usps.com/websites/depart/inspect
Internet Fraud Complaint Center: www.ifccfbi.gov
Embassy of Ukraine in Washington, D.C.: www.ukremb.com
Consulate General of Ukraine in New York: www.brama.com/ua-consulate
Consulate General of Ukraine in Chicago: www.ukrchicago.com
Consulate General of Ukraine in San Francisco: www.ukrainesf.com
HOLIDAYS AND OTHER CLOSURES
| Holiday Day | Date | Country |
| Orthodox Easter | Sunday, Monday April 27, 28 | Ukraine |
| International Labor Day | Thursday, Friday May 1, 2 | Ukraine |
| Victory Day | Friday May 9 | Ukraine |
| Memorial Day | Monday May 26 | U.S. |
| Holy Trinity | Sunday, Monday June 15, 16 | Ukraine |
| Constitution Day | Saturday, Monday June 28**, 30** | Ukraine |
| Independence Day | Friday July 4 | U.S. |
| Independence Day | Sunday, Monday August 24**, 25** | Ukraine |
| Labor Day | Monday September 1 | U.S. |
| Columbus Day | Monday October 13 | U.S. |
| Veterans Day | Tuesday November 11 | U.S. |
| Thanksgiving Day | Thursday November 27 | U.S. |
| Christmas Day | Thursday December 25 | U>S. |
* - When a Ukrainian holiday falls on Saturday or Sunday, it is usually observed on Monday.
** - When a U.S. holiday falls on Saturday, it is usually observed on Friday, when on Sunday -- it is usually observed on Monday.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine may make additional changes in the holiday schedule during the year.
SUBSCRIPTION TO AMERICAN CITIZENS SERVICES NEWSLETTER
To subscribe to our monthly newsletter and other updates, please register with the Embassy. You can do this online through the new Internet-Based Registration System (IBRS) directly at travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs or through a link on TRAVEL.STATE.GOV. Please see above for more information on IBRS.
Published by the ACS Unit, Consular Section, U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine,
tel: (+38 044) 490-4445, 490-4422; fax: (+38 044) 490-4040; e-mail; website: kyiv.usembassy.gov; public hours: 9:00 am – 12:00 noon, Monday – Friday: notary services – Fridays only.
CONSULAR SECTION, U.S. EMBASSY KYIV, UKRAINE
6, M. PYMONENKA STR., KYIV 01901, UKRAINE
Comments or suggestions on this newsletter are welcome.