Important Notice Regarding the 2012 Diversity Visa Program



Watch the video: http://bcove.me/04q1rpqa.



The results of the selection process for the 2012 Diversity Visa (DV-2012) program have been voided.  Results previously available via the Entry Status Check (ESC) function on the Department of State website, dvlottery.state.gov, were posted in error and are now invalid.  The results were not valid because, owing to a computer error, they did not represent a fair, random selection of entrants, as required by U.S. law. 

This means that the State Department has rescinded all notices informing entrants that they had been selected for further processing in DV-2012; if you received such a notice via ESC on dvlottery.state.gov, it is no longer valid.

A new random selection process will be conducted based on the original entries for the DV-2012 program.  If you submitted a qualified entry from October 5, 2010, to November 3, 2010, you do not need to reapply.  Your entry will be included in the new random selection.  Your confirmation number, which is required to determine the status of your entry, remains the same.  The State Department is not accepting new entries for the DV-2012 program.

We expect the results of the new random selection process to be available by July 15, 2011, via the ESC function on dvlottery.state.gov.

We regret any inconvenience this might have caused.

For further information and future updates on the 2012 DV program, please see:

http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/

http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html

Ask the Consul: Optional Practical Training (OPT)

Question: I would like to know about a program called OPT. When I'm doing an MBA degree, am I allowed to work a full time while participating in the program?

Answer: Thanks for your question. Optional Practical Training (OPT) is temporary employment that is directly related to an F-1 student's major area of study and usually occurs after the completion of your coursework.  Students who are authorized for Optional Practical Training  must have an I-20 endorsed for OPT, and provide a USCIS-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

Your OPT may occur while school is in session, provided that practical training does not exceed 20 hours per week. However, most students do OPT following completion of their coursework. Students must complete all practical training within a 12-month period following the completion of study.  OPT students have 60 days following completion of the course of practical training within which to depart the U.S.   

Effective April 8, 2008, an F-1 student with a degree in a DHS-approved science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) major, who is already in a period of approved post-completion OPT, may apply to USCIS to extend that period by up to 17 months, for a maximum total period of 29 months.

To learn more about OPT, please visit the Department of Homeland Security website, which includes frequently asked questions: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/opt.htm.

***

Ask the Consul is a regular feature on the Consular Round Up blog. Every few weeks, one of the Embassy's Consular Officers answers an interesting consular question we've received from one of our readers. Think you can stump us? To submit a question, leave a comment, post one on our Facebook wall or send us an email at NIVTelAviv@state.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!

The State Department’s Role in a Crisis: What to Expect

What is the Department of State's role during a crisis overseas? Does the Department always evacuate U.S. citizens? What other assistance can the Department provide during a crisis?

These are a few questions we often receive from American Citizens traveling overseas.

The actions the State Department takes depend on the nature of the crisis. In some instances, we may only need to provide information on conditions in the country, such as warning about areas of unrest, how and where to seek help, and other useful advice. In more serious situations, we may recommend that U.S. citizens consider departing the foreign country, and, if commercial transportation is not at all available, provide departure assistance, as resources permit.

Check out the following link below to learn more about the State Department's role in a crisis and what happens during an evacuation: http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/emergencies/emergencies_1212.html.

Ask the Consul: Tuition Benefits for Dual Citizens

Question: If I am a dual citizen of the United States and Israel, am I entitled to any tax benefits to cover my university tuition?

Answer: Thank you for your question. If your parents are American citizens and they pay taxes in the United States and claim you as a dependent on their tax return, you may qualify for a tax credit. There are a variety of tax credits, deductions and savings plans available to taxpayers to assist with the expense of higher education. For example:

• A tax credit reduces the amount of income a taxpayer may have to pay.
• A deduction reduces the amount of a taxpayer’s income that is subject to tax, thus generally reducing the amount of tax a taxpayer may have to pay.
• Certain savings plans allow the accumulated interest to grow tax-free until money is taken out (known as a distribution), or allow the distribution to be tax-free, or both.
• An exclusion from income means that taxpayer won't have to pay income tax on the benefit they are receiving, but also won't be able to use that same tax-free benefit for a deduction or credit. 

For more information, visit the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) webpage “Tax Benefits for Education: Information Center” at http://www.irs.gov/newsroom/article/0,,id=213044,00.html.

***

Ask the Consul is a regular feature on the Consular Round Up blog. Every few weeks, one of the Embassy's Consular Officers answers an interesting consular question we've received from one of our readers. Think you can stump us? To submit a question, leave a comment, post one on our Facebook wall or send us an email at NIVTelAviv@state.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!

Emergency Preparedness the Focus of Annual Warden Meeting

Left to right: Warden Eytan Saffer, Ambassador James Cunningham, Consular Associate
Charlotte Lawrence, Warden Moriah Ordman, Consul General Andrew Parker.

On Monday April 11, 2011, Consul General Andrew Parker and American Citizen Services Chief Elisa Greene hosted more than 30 American wardens from across Israel at the Embassy’s annual warden conference. The speakers included Ambassador James Cunningham, and Defense Attaché Col. Jeffrey Hood who discussed the role of the Department of Defense in a time of crises.

Two of the Embassy’s vice consuls and one of the Embassy’s regional security officers also spoke about their experiences in Cairo, Egypt earlier this year, where they assisted with the evacuation of more than 2,000 Americans.

They emphasized the importance of readiness for a crisis, particularly always having a valid U.S. passport in your possession. They also recommended that all American citizens remember to stay in touch with the Embassy by signing up for warden messages, registering with the State Department and becoming a fan of our Facebook page.

At the conclusion of the conference, the Ambassador presented a Certificate of Appreciation to Warden Sandy Berlinger, for her invaluable support of American Citizen Services (ACS) section. During a recent visit of the ACS section to Bet Shemesh, Berlinger helped coordinate more than 200 appointments for passports for the large U.S. citizen community there.

“The Embassy is grateful for the excellent support of our network of Wardens,” Parker said. “With your help we stand ready to respond to any emergency situation involving the welfare of American citizens.”

Ask the Consul: Question from a Canadian Passport Holder

Question: I have both an Israeli and Canadian passport and just want to make sure that I can enter the States with the Canadian passport without the need of visa or other approvals?

Answer: Thanks for your question! Canadians generally do not require a visa to enter the United States for the purposes of visiting or studying. There are some exceptions to this rule. For example, intending immigrants or investors must qualify for a visa before entry in the same manner as other nationalities. 

Other entrants, such as journalists, temporary workers or NAFTA professionals must present all necessary supporting documentation and/or approved petitions directly to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer at the Port of Entry. Be sure to check the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for the latest updates on U.S. entry requirements for Canadians and others.

Canadian visitors are generally granted a stay in the United States for up to six months at the time of entry. Requests to extend or adjust a stay must be made prior to expiry to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. All Canadians are reminded that U.S. law requires all foreigners to qualify for the desired stay and purpose at the time of their initial entry. A visitor who intends to live, work or study in the U.S. without disclosing this information beforehand may be permanently barred from the United States.

For more information, visit the U.S. Embassy Ottawa website at: http://canada.usembassy.gov/.

***

Ask the Consul is a regular feature on the Consular Round Up blog. Every few weeks, one of the Embassy's Consular Officers answers an interesting consular question we've received from one of our constituents. Think you can stump us? To submit a question, post one on our Facebook wall or send us an email at NIVTelAviv@state.gov. We look forward to hearing from you!

U.S. Embassy to Close for April 8 Tel Aviv Marathon

U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv will be closed Friday, April 8 due to the 2011 Tel Aviv Marathon.

The Visa Services Unit will not be open to process non-immigrant visa applications on this day. If you are an American citizen with an urgent matter, you may call the Embassy's emergency hotline at 03-519-7551.

Visit the following link for a complete list of U.S. and Israeli holidays for which the Embassy will be closed: http://israel.usembassy.gov/ac/holidays2.html.