Press Release

American Embassy, Bern Launches New Web Site
January, 2005

The website of the Embassy of the United States to Switzerland has undergone a major transformation, in a redesign process updating both the form and content of the site. It now spans wider and goes deeper to stand as the ultimate source of information on the United States in Switzerland.

The revamping of the site is part of an effort from the U.S. State Department to present a consistent entry point to authoritative information on the United States, and create a common look and feel of all U.S. representations worldwide.

On the front page, the site focuses on Embassy activities, as well as major local and global news, while also providing quick access to core topics within the site, and links to important outside resources. The site is divided into five main sub-sections:

• Embassy Information
• Visa and Consular Information
• American Citizens Services
• U.S. Policy and Issues
• U.S. Information 

The Embassy section has all relevant information on the operations of the U.S. Mission to Switzerland, including the Ambassador's speeches and Embassy events. Visa and Consular Information is addressed to Swiss traveling to the United States, whereas American Citizens Services has resources for U.S. citizens abroad. Under U.S. Policy and Issues you will find a collection of links to information on the major policy areas in which the State Department is involved. Finally, in the U.S. Information section there are a number of portals for a wide variety of users, ranging from school children and teachers, travelers and students, to academics and media professionals.

Some of these portals are still under construction, but already represent a major step ahead in terms of establishing this reorganized site as the resource of choice for anyone in Switzerland wanting information on the United States.

Welcome to our new site - we hope you will enjoy it.