Join the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam at Expatica "i am not a tourist" fair

July 27, 2009  Join the 6th annual “i am not a tourist” fair on Sunday, October 25, and get a handle on your life in Holland. Get the advice you need, attend some fun and useful workshops, and mix with thousands of other internationals! Consult experts from a range of institutions: Banks, investment and tax firms, universities, schools, groups and clubs. These fellow internationals will be there to offer the guidance and advice you need.

Attend presentations on: Landing that perfect job, raising a family abroad, acclimatising to a new culture and more. Join a workshop on sushi making, salsa dancing, or whiskey tasting.

The Consulate will provide information on our various services, e.g. passports, visas and voter registration. Visit us at our booth.

Enjoy: Stand-up comedy, dance performances, art, fun for the kids, and there is more to come.

Whether you’ve lived here for 10 days or 10 years, you won’t regret attending! Get your FREE tickets now at: www.expatica.com/iamnotatourist.

400 years of Shared History between the U.S. and The Netherlands, a cause for celebration

July 21, 2009  With names like Brooklyn, Wall Street, Kikeout and Flushing, the Dutch settlers of 400 years ago, and their descendants, left a lasting legacy of their settling in the New World. It is believed Dutch was spoken in along the Hudson until well into the 1800s . So in the United States today you can pay for your cookies (not your biscuits), with dollars (from the Dutch 'daalder') and enjoy them on your stoop.

Click on the logo of the special NY400 website to stay informed of events.

Contrary to Recent Reports, Recent VWP Changes Do Not Require All Dutch Travelers to Get Visas

July 6, 2009   As of July 1, 2009, all temporary and emergency passports must be electronic passports (e-passports) to be eligible for travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).  Detailed guidance on the e-passport requirement with regard to temporary and emergency passports can be found on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s website.

Contrary to some reports in the Dutch press, this requirement does not extend to all passports.  Our Visa Wizard, a simple questions-and-answers program, will determine whether your passport meets the requirements of the Visa Waiver Program.  To go to our Visa Wizard, click here.

A helpful timeline from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that can also assist in determining whether your current Dutch passport is valid for visa-free travel to the U.S. can be found here.

If, after consulting this guidance, you determine that your passport does not meet the requirements of the VWP, you will need a visa.  Application instructions can be found here.

Previous events of the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam...