Americans Living Abroad: What You Should Know While You are There

Preface v

CHAPTER 1: TIPS FOR AMERICANS RESIDING ABROAD 1

Forward 1

BEFORE YOU GO 1

Learn About The Host Country 1

Consular Information Program 1

Required Documents 2

Health Matters 2

Health Insurance 3

Medication 3

Immunizations 3

AIDS Testing 3

Practical Matters 3

Federal Benefits 3

Customs Hints 4

Taking A Pet Overseas 4

LIVING OVERSEAS 4

Help From the US Government 4

Assistance From American Consuls 4

Registration at US Embassies or Consulates 4

Missing Persons 4

Arrested Abroad, 5

Drug Arrests 5

Marriage Abroad 5

Divorce Abroad 6

Birth Abroad of a US Citizen 6

Death of a US Citizen Abroad 6

Federal Benefits Services Abroad 6

Assistance in Voting in US Elections 6

Family Matters 7

Adopting a Child Overseas 7

International Child Custody Disputes 7

Precautions 8

Safeguarding Your Passport 8

Loss or Theft of a US Passport 8

Passport Fraud 8

Citizenship and Nationality 8

US Citizenship and Residence Abroad 8

Acquisition and Loss of Citizenship 8

Dual Nationality 9

Financial and Business Matters 9

US Taxes 9

Foreign Country Taxes 9

Bank Accounts 9

Wills 9

Property Investment 10

RETURNING TO THE US 10

US Immigration and Customs 10

Restrictions on Products Entering the US 10

Importing a Car 10

Wildlife and Wildlife Products 11

CHAPTER 2: SECURITY AWARENESS OVERSEAS 13

Introduction 13

Preparing To Travel 13

Have Your Affairs in Order 13

Important Papers 14

Useful Information 14

Emergency Notification 14

Miscellaneous Tips 14

In Transit 15

On the Plane 15

At an Overseas Airport 15

Car Rentals 15

Public Transportation 16

In‑Transit Accommodations 16

Hotel Crime 16

Civil Unrest 16

Hotel Fires 16

If a Fire Starts 17

Terrorism 18

US Policy 18

Terrorist Demands 18

Terrorist Surveillance 18

Hijackings 19

Armed Assault on the Ground 19

Kidnappings 19

Captivity 19

Behavior Suggestions 20

Avoidance of Capture or Escape 20

Rescue 21

Additional Precautions 21

Overseas Crisis Planning 21

Culture Shock 21

Symptoms 21

Successful Handling 22

Helping Children Adjust 22

Before the Move 22

Relocation Crisis 22

Stress During Crisis 23

Security for Children 23

Rules for Children 23

Rules for Parents 23

Child‑Watch Checklist 23

Checklist for Babysitters 24

Evacuation 24

Preparation 24

If Evacuated 24

Residential Fire Safety 25

Smoke Detectors 25

Fire Escape Plan 25

Fire Drills 25

Fire Extinguishers 25

A Summary of Fire Safety Reminders 26

The Final World 26

Community Participation in Security 26

Safety in Numbers 26

What You Can Do 27

Other Useful Steps 27

Resources 27

CHAPTER 3: PERSONAL SECURITY 29

Introduction 29

Residential Security 29

Establishing a safe haven 30

Home Security While You are Away, 30

Personal Security While Traveling 30

Personal Security in Hotels 31

Fire Safety at Home 31

Preventive Measures 31

Security Do’s for Children 31

Letter and Parcel Bombs 32

Carjacking 32

Surveillance 33

Sexual Assault Prevention 33

Crisis Awareness and Preparedness 34

CHAPTER 4: SECURITY GUIDELINES FOR AMERICAN FAMILIES LIVING ABROAD 4

Introduction 35

Preliminary Residential Security Planning 35

Schools 36

Assessing the Level of Risk at Overseas Location 37

Location of the Residents 37

Selection of Residence 38

After Moving In 39

Perimeter Security 41

Intrusion Alarms and Security Lighting 43

Extended Absences from the Residence 44

Domestic Hires Screening and Responsibilities 44

Family and Company Cars 46

Auto Travel 46

Telephones 47

Mail 48

Banking and Charge Accounts 49

Trash Removal 49

Quality of Law Enforcement Protection 50

Firearms in Foreign Countries 50

Children’s School 50

Coup d’etat and Emergency Evacuations 50

Social Activities 51

Spouse and Dependent Activity 51

Watchdogs 52

Recreation and Exercise 52

A Word About Illegal Drugs 52

A Word About Bomb Threats, Bombings, Extortion and Kidnapping 53

Conclusion 53

Employee and Family Profile 54

Residential Security Survey 55

Residential Security Self-Evaluation Worksheet 60

CHAPTER 5: SECURITY GUIDELINES FOR CHILDREN LIVING ABROAD 65

Precautions in the Neighborhood 65

School and Daycare 65

Child Abuse 66

Child Abduction 68

CHAPTER 6: TIPS FOR STUDENTS TRAVELING OR STUDYING ABROAD 71

Introduction 71

International Identification Cards 71

Lodging 72

Useful Publications 73

More Travel Tips for Students 74

Preparing For Your trip Abroad 74

Top Ten Travel Tips for Students 75

CHAPTER 7: NATIONALITY & CITIZENSHIP ISSUES 79

Dual nationality 79

Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship 79

Person Who Wish To Relinquish U.S. Citizenship 80

Loss of Nationality and Taxation 81

Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship and Seeking Public Office in a Foreign State 82

Possible Loss of U.S. Citizenship and Foreign Military Service 83

Renunciation of U.S. Citizenship 85

Marriage of the United States Citizens Abroad 89

Marriage to an Alien 90

Divorce Overseas 90

Foreign Marriage Certificates 92

Proof of Foreign Divorce 92

Authentication of Divorce and Marriage Records 92

Enforcement of Judgments 93

CHAPTER 8: GETTING HELP ABROAD FROM U.S. CONSULS 95

Emergency Services 95

Replace A Passport 95

Help Find Medical Assistance 95

Help Get Funds 95

Help in an Emergency 95

Visit in Jail 95

Help in Death Situations 96

Help in Disaster/Evacuation 96

Non-Emergency Services 96

Issue a Consular Report of Birth 96

Issue a Passport 96

Distribute Federal Benefits Payments 96

Assist in Child Custody Disputes 96

Help in Other Ways 96

What Consular Offices Cannot Do 96

Privacy Act 96

CHAPTER 9: CRISES ABROAD WHAT THE STATE DEPARTMENT DOES 97

Crisis Abroad 97

Welfare and Whereabouts 97

Death 97

Injury 98

Evacuation 98

Private Act 98

CHAPTER 10: OVERSEAS CITIZENS SERVICES/THE CITIZENS EMERGENCY CENTER 99

Overseas Citizens Services 99

American Citizens Services and Crisis Management 99

Arrests 99

Deaths 99

Financial Assistance 99

Medical Assistance 100

Welfare and Whereabouts of U.S. Citizens 100

Consular Information Program 100

Disaster Assistance 100

Children’s Issues 100

International Adoptions 100

International parental Child Abductions 100

Consular Conventions and Treaties 101

Federal benefits 101

Legislation 101

Privacy Act 101

CHAPTER 11: THE STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL ADVISORIES 103

Travel warnings 103

Public Announcements 103

Consular Information Sheets 103

Current Travel Warnings 104

Current Public Announcements 104

State Department Electronic Subscriptions 104

CHAPTER 12: TRAVEL WARNINGS ON DRUGS ABROAD 107

Things You Should Know Before You Go 107

Hard Facts 107

The U.S. Consular Can 107

The U.S. Consular Cannot 107

CHAPTER 13: INTERNATIONAL PARENTAL CHILD ABDUCTION 109

Introduction 109

PART I1 -How to Guard Against International Child Abduction 109

How Vulnerable is Your Child? 109

Cross-cultural Marriages: Should Your Child Visit the Country of the Other Parent? 109

Precautions That Any Parent Should Take The Importance of a Custody Decree 109

How to Draft or Modify a Custody Decree 110

Prevention: How a Custody Decree Can Help US Passports 110

Foreign Passports-The Problem of Dual Nationality 111

PART II-What the State Department Can and Cannot Do 112

PART III-How to Search for a Child Abducted Abroad 112

Where to Report Your Missing Child 112

After Your Child is Located 113

Further Steps to Take in Your Search 113

PART IV – The Best Possible Solution: Settling Out of Court 114

PART V-One Possible Solution: The Hague Convention 115

What is Covered by the Convention 115

How to Use (Invoke) the Hague Convention 116

The Role of the US Central Authority (CCS) 116

Immigration and the Hague Convention, 116

Good New for Applicants 116

Children Abducted to the United States 117

PART VII-Legal Solutions When the Hague Convention Does not Apply 117

PART VII USING THE CIVIL JUSTICE SYSTEM 118

The Pros of Using the Criminal Justice System 118

What are the Risk 118

The Steps to Take 119

Prosecution of Agents of Accomplices of the Abductor 119

Implications of a Warrant for a US Citizen Implications of a Warrant for a Non-US Citizen 120

The Possibility of Extradition 120

PART VIII-Reference 121

Uniform State and Federal Laws on Custody, Parental Child

Abduction 121

Questionnaire for Non-Hague Convention Parents 123

Hague Application Checklist 128

Children’s Passport issuance Alert Program 129

International Parental Child Abduction 131

Islamic Law 131

Marriage 13

Mixed marriages 131

Children’s Rights 131

CHAPTER 14: INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS 133

Introduction 133

The Role of the State Department 133

The Foreign Adoption Process 135

The Visa Interview 136

The Orphan Definition 136

Filing a Petition 137

The Medical Examination 137

Prevention of Adoption Fraud 138

Validity of Foreign Adoptions in the United States 138

Automatic Acquisition of U.S. Citizenship for an Adopted Child 139

General Adoption Information 140

Magazines and Books 141

Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoption 143

International Adoption Safeguard 148

Guidelines on Immediate Petitions 150

CHAPTER 15: KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: US CUSTOMS HINTS FOR RETURNING RESIDENTS 151

Introduction 151

When You Return to the United States 151

What You Must Declare 152

Register Items before You Leave the United States 152

Duty-free Exemption 152

$200 Exemption 153

$800 Exemption 153

Tobacco Products 153

Alcoholic Beverages 154

$600 Exemption 154

$1,200 Exemption 155

Personal Belongings and Household Effects 156

Paying Duty 156

Sending Goods to the United States 156

Duty-Free Shops 159

Prohibited and Restricted Items 159

Pets 164

Money and Other Monetary Instruments 165

Traveling Back and Forth Across the Border 165

Photographic Film 166

CHAPTER 16: MOVING HOUSEHOLD GOODS TO THE UNITED STATES: A GUIDE TO CUSTOMS REGULATIONS 169

Determining Your Customs Status 169

Returning Residents 169

Government/Military Employees 169

Emergency Evacuees 169

Nonresident/First-Time Immigrants 170

Part-Time Residents 170

Household Effects 170

Personal Effects 170

Inherited Goods 170

General Procedures for Importing Household and Personal Effects 170

Goods That Accompany You 171

Goods Shipped Separately 171

Importing an Automobile or Other Vehicle 171

Safety, Bumper and Theft Prevention Standards 171

Federal Tax 172

Emission Standards 172

Shipping Arrangements 173

General Rates for Liquor and Tobacco 173

Prohibited and Restricted Goods 174

Biological materials 175

Books, Video tapes, Computer Programs and Cassettes 175

Cultural Artifacts and Cultural Property 175

Firearms and Ammunition 175

Food and Dairy Products 176

Fruits, Plants, Vegetables 176

Gold 176

Meats, Livestock, Poultry 176

Medicine/narcotics 176

Money 176

Pets 176

Trademarked Articles 177

Wildlife, fish, Plants 177

Returning Residents 177

Duty Exemptions for Household and Personal Effects 177

Professional Equipment/tools of Trade 178

Liquor, Tobacco 178

Government/Military Personnel 178

Traveling by Military Transport 179

Firearms and Ammunition 179

Nonresidents/First-time Immigrants 180

Gifts 181

CHAPTER 17: BRINGING PETS, WILDLIFE INTO THE U.S. 183

Pets and Wildlife 183

General Customs Information 183

Customs Duty 184

Purebred Animals 184

Birds 184

Cats and Dogs 185

Vaccinations 185

Monkeys 185

Turtles, Tortoises, and Terrapins 186

Rabbits, Guinea pigs, hamsters, ferrets, and other pet rodents 186

Wildlife 186

Game: Birds and Other Animals 186

Endangered Species 187

Finding Additional Information 187

CHAPTER 18: TIPS ON BRINGING FOOD, PLANT, AND ANIMAL PRODUCTS INTO THE U.S. 189

Safeguarding United States Agriculture 189

Avoid Fines and Delays 189

Declarations Prevent Penalties 190

General Guidelines 190

Fruits, Vegetables and Plants190

Meat and Animal Products 190

Live Animals and Birds 190

Other Biological Materials 190

Soil, Sand, Minerals and Shells 191

Is there Anything I can Bring Back? 191

General List of Approved Products 191

Products from Canada and Mexico 191

Information Resources for Travelers 191

Bringing Agricultural Products into the U.S. 192

Civil Penalties 193

Detector Dogs 193

CHAPTER 19: BUYING A CAR OVERSEAS? BEWARE 195

Importing Motor Vehicles 195

Questions Buyers Ask 195

Five New EPA Requirements 196

Other Requirements 197

CHAPTER 20: IMPORTING A CAR/PLEASURE BOAT 199

Importing or Exporting a Car 199

Prior Arrangements 200

Documentation 200

Cleaning the Undercarriage 200

Dutiable Entry 200

Free Entry 201

Cars Imported for Other Purposes 201

Safety, Bumper and theft Prevention Standards 201

Federal Tax 202

Emission Standards 202

A Word of Caution 203

Re-Importing a Previously Exported Vehicle 203

Exceptions 203

Driver’s Pates and Permits 203

Exporting a Car 204

Importing Pleasure Boats 205

CHAPTER 21: GENERALIZED SYSTEMS OF PREFERENCE & THE TRAVELER 211

What is GSP 211

Popular Tourist Items 213

Beneficiary Countries 213

CHAPTER 22: COMMUNICATING TO AND FROM OVERSEAS 217

Calling Overseas from the US 217

Placing International calls from Your Home or Office 217

Calling Canada or the Caribbean 217

International Calling from Your Hotel 217

Placing International Calls with Operator Assistance 217

Placing International Calls from the U.S. using a Calling Card 218

Calling the US from Overseas 219

Using Special Services 219

Using a Calling Card 219

Using International Direct Dialing 219

Ship and Sea Telephone Services 220

Additional Information 220

Access Codes of Major Long Distance Carriers 221

CHAPTER 23: PASSPORTS 225

Applying For Them The Easy Way 225

Other Than at Passport Agencies, Where Can I Apply for a Passport? 225

When Do I Have to Apply in Person? 225

What Do I Need to Do to Apply for a Passport in Person? 225

Where Can I Get Passport Forms? 225

May I Apply for a Passport by Mail? 225

What Happens to My Passport Application After I Submit It? 225

What Should I Do if My Passport Is Lost or Stolen? 226

Do I Need to Obtain a Separate Passport for My Baby? 226

What Do I Do if My Name Changes? 226

What Else Should I Know About Passports? 226

Passport Fees 226

Routine Services 226

Expedited Service 227

How Long Will it Take to Process a Passport Application?

227

How Can You Check the STATUS of the Application? 227

National Passport Information Center (NPIC) 227

Child Support Payments and Getting a U.S. Passport 228

Passports and Citizenship Documents 228

Where do I get a passport application?228

How do I get a passport in a hurry? 228

How do I renew my Passport? 228

I have never had a U.S. Passport 229

Children's Passport Issuance Alert Program (CPIAP)? 229

I was recently married/divorced. How do I change my name on my Passport? 229

My passport was lost/stolen. How do I report it? 229

I was born abroad. How do I get a birth certificate proving my U.S. Citizenship? 229

What should I do if my baby is born abroad? 229

What do I do if there is no birth record on file for me? 229

I'm renewing my passport. Do I get the old one back? 230

How do I get a certified copy of my birth certificate? 230

How long is a passport valid? 230

Who should maintain a valid U.S. Passport? 230

What if there is an error in the passport I just received? 230

How to Apply in Person for a U.S. Passport 230

For All Minors Under Age 14 231

How to Apply for a Passport Renewal 236

Should You Apply for a Passport Renewal by Mail? 236

How Can You Get Your Passport in a Hurry? 237

Protect Yourself From Identity Fraud! 237

How to Report Your Lost or Stolen Passport 237

How to Replace a Lost or Stolen Passport 238

How to Add Extra Pages to Your U.S. Passport 238

How to Change Your Name in Your Valid U.S. Passport 238

U.S. Passports Will No Longer be Issued Abroad 239

CHAPTER 24: : MORE INFORMATION AND ADVICE FROM THE U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT, CUSTOMS, TRANSPORTATION, AGRICULTURE, SOCIAL SECURITY… 241

Traveling Out of/Into the U.S.; New Guidelines/Procedures 241

Prepared to Take Off? 241

Permitted & Prohibited Items 241

Travel Preparations 246

Packing Tips 247

Baggage Security Checkpoints 247

Baggage Screening 248

Transporting Firearms and Ammunition 249

Travelers & Consumers 249

Final Checklist 250

Security Procedures 252

Passenger Security Checkpoints 252

Gate Screening 253

Persons with Disabilities or Medical Concerns 254

Religious or Cultural Needs 257

Traveling With Children 258

Pets 259

Film 259

Sports Equipment 260

Road Safety 260

Information for Students 261

International Driving Permits 261

Tips on Driving Abroad 262

Retaining a Foreign Attorney 262

How to Deal With Your Foreign Attorney 263

Authentication and Translation of Documents 264

Complaints Against Foreign Attorney 264

Finding a Foreign Attorney 265

Social Security 268

Your Payments While You are Outside the U.S. 268

Application for Social Security Card 276

Travel Smart 277

Top Ten Tips for Travelers 277

Legal Disputes Abroad 278

Getting Help with Tourist Complaint Abroad 278

Finding Assistance in Connection with an Investment Disputes Abroad 279

Finding Information about Export Licensing Requirements 279

Finding Information about U.S. Treasury Restrictions and Foreign Asset Controls 279

Filing Claim against a Foreign Government 280

Office of Authentication 280

Traveling with Samples 280

Payment of Duty 280

ATA Carnet 281

What Countries use the ATA Carnet? 284

Currency reporting 285

Why are You Taking My…? 285

Random Exams 288

Why did this Happen to Me? 288

Why U.S. Customs Conduct Examinations 289

Overseas Schools Advisory Council 290

CHAPTER 25: REFERENCES AND RESOURCES FOR OVERSEAS TRAVELERS & RESIDENTS 293

US Department of State 293

US Department of Commerce 294

US Department of Treasury 295

US Department of Agriculture 295

US Department of Health & Human Resources 296

US Department of Interior 296

Environmental Protection Agency 296 US Department of Transportation 296

Social Security Administration 296

Recommended Government Websites 298

Other Travel Websites 298

Health Advice 298

Security/Travel Advisories 298

Other Travel Services 298