20 August 08
Cross border travelers are strongly encouraged to use the Pacific Highway, Lynden or Sumas crossings because the next phase of U.S. border station construction at Peace Arch will close off portions of the I-5 in that area.

Starting August 5, southbound traffic at the Peace Arch crossing will be directed off the I-5 freeway at D Street Exit 276 in Blaine. Flaggers and signage will re-direct travelers to the point where traffic can re-join the I-5.

Beginning August 18, northbound I-5 traffic will be detoured to the east of the existing border station. There will be no northbound access to I-5 from the D Street Exit 276 in Blaine. Those who would ordinarily use the D Street entry to reach the Canadian border on I-5 will be redirected to SR (state route) 543 (truck route) to the Pacific Highway border crossing into Canada.

The traffic re-routing is to allow construction of the new U.S. border station and a bridge which would take traffic over the new border station. Because of the complexity of the project, traffic detouring at Peace Arch will extend to September 2009. [View Photo]

Travelers are urged to check border cameras and wait times on the websites below.

29 July 08
US Coast Guard Ship Docks In Victoria
U.S. Coast Guard Aspen, a versatile buoy tender that also engages in law enforcement operations along the California coast, took a hiatus from its usual patrolling waters to come for training and R & R to the Pacific Northwest. It docked in Victoria on the weekend of July 26th and hosted a tour organized by the US Consulate General in Vancouver. Vancouver Public Affairs Officer Indran Amirthanayagam, who is the coordinator for US ship visits in the region, led a group of 21 guests from British Columbia’s provincial government and other friends on board July 26th. The tour was much appreciated and served to strengthen ties between the US and British Columbia while highlighting the close cooperation between the US and Canadian Coast Guard services. [Slideshow].

22 July 08
Consul General Lewis Lukens presented with award
Consul General Lewis Lukens was presented the Pacific Northwest Economic Region's (PNWER) traditional "hot potato" award July 21 for outstanding contributions to the consortium. The award presentation preceded Premier Campbell's luncheon address at PNWER's 18th annual summit in Vancouver. The PNWER consortium of five U.S. states, three Canadian provinces and Yukon Territory works to advance the region's global competitiveness.
The next PNWER summit will be held in Boise, Idaho, July 12-16, 2009. [More].

22 July 08
Ambassador Wilkins at the Pacific NorthWest Economic Region summit in Vancouver
Ambassador David Wilkins delivered the keynote address at the opening breakfast for The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region 18th Annual Summit held in Vancouver, B.C., July 20-24, 2008. Primary issues at this summit are the border, clean energy, the Asia Pacific gateway, water and tourism. This year Saskatchewan joined the consortium which includes Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Yukon Territory. [More].

08 July 08
July 4 Celebrations - Vancouver
The U.S. Consulate General celebrated July 4th in grand style with more than 400 invited guests from British Columbia, the Yukon and other parts of Canada. Guests included eight of ten Vancouver city councilors, several local mayors, seven MLAs including five BC Ministers, and Canada's Minister of Foreign Affairs David Emerson. Emerson spoke about the ties that bind Canada and the U.S. and commented that he was honored to wish the United States a happy birthday during his second official event after assuming his duties as Foreign Minister. BC Minister for Intergovernmental Relations Joan McIntyre echoed Emerson's remarks and stressed the positive role the consulate has played fostering dialogue on cross border issues. Consul General Lewis Lukens thanked the American businesses who helped support the celebration and took the occasion to bid adieu to the many close friends and associates gathered at the residence. [Photo Slideshow].

04 July 08
The many ties that bind Americans and Canadians
Op-ed by Consul General Lewis Lukens in the Vancouver Sun, July 04, 2008 [Read More].

04 July 08
American expats celebrate today
A Newspaper article by Mike Howell, of the Vancouver Courier [Read More].

02 July 08
Presidential Message, Independence Day 2008
GEORGE W. BUSH - I send greetings to all Americans on Independence Day.

More than two centuries ago, bold and courageous visionaries pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor in signing the Declaration of Independence. Guided by ancient and eternal truths, our forefathers proclaimed to the world that liberty was the natural right of all mankind and in doing so began one of the greatest chapters in human history. On the Fourth of July, our country commemorates the great achievements of these heroes and reaffirms its unwavering confidence in the power of freedom.

It was the desire for freedom that inspired our Founding Fathers, and it is the belief in the universality of freedom that guides our Nation. On this occasion, we pay special tribute to the men and women of our Armed Forces, both past and present, who have answered freedom's call and defended the values that make America the greatest country on earth.

May God bless America.

27 June 08
Holiday travel tips from US Customs and Border Protection
For Canada Day/Fourth of July travellers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection gives the following tips on how to cross the border most efficiently and without incident...[Read More]

25 June 08
Professor L. Sandy Maisel's talk at the U.S. Consulate, Vancouver
Professor Sandy Maisel outlined why the 2008 U.S. presidential election holds such fascination for world as well as U.S. domestic audiences when he spoke in Vancouver as a guest of the U.S. Consulate General Vancouver.
Professor Maisel is the William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Government, chair of the Government Department at Colby College in Maine, and director of the Colby in Washington Program.[Read More] [Biography]

20 June 08
Wildlife Trafficking Needs to be Stopped
Op-ed by Consul General Lewis Lukens in the Vancouver Sun, June 12, 2008 [Read More].

18 June 08
The Poetry of Diplomacy
"Indran Amirthanayagam makes an unlikely point man for a nation at war” - Profile of Public Affairs Officer Indran Amirthanayagam in Monday Magazine [Read More].

North American Aerospace Defense Command celebrates the 50th Anniversary of the signing of the NORAD agreement on May 12, 2008. Find out about NORAD and the ways you can help celebrate this milestone...read more.

U.S. Consulate General Vancouver Closure Notice
Please be advised that the consular section will be closed to the public on the third Wednesday of every month for staff development. This includes the visa unit, american citizen services and notarial services. No items will be available for pick up.
Services will resume the next business day.
If there is an Emergency regarding a U.S. Citizen please call 604-685-4311.
We regret any inconvenience.
PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY.

SECURITY NOTICE TO ALL CONSULAR VISITORS.

August 2008: A Window into Public Affairs The Public Affairs department at the U.S. Consulate General Vancouver serves British Columbia and the Yukon. It is responsible for designing programs for the Canadian public focused on the US/Canada bilateral relationship. It is the key office within the Consulate General for media inquiries and for disseminating announcements to the media, and collaborates with universities, cultural organizations and NGOs in promoting mutual understanding between Canada and the United States. [More].

Under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), for entry into the United States at land or sea borders, as of January 31, 2008:
- Oral declarations of citizenship alone will no longer be accepted;
- U.S. and Canadian citizens ages 19 and older will need to present a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate or naturalization certificate;
- Children ages 18 and under will only be required to present proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate;
- Passports and trusted traveler program cards - NEXUS, FAST, and SENTRI - will continue to be accepted for cross-border travel. All existing nonimmigrant visa and passport requirements will remain in effect and will not be altered by this change. A passport has been required for air travel since January 23, 2007. [read more on WHTI]
NEW. Entry requirements at land or sea borders in effect June 1, 2009:
Washington -- The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced today the final rule for the land and sea portion of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), a core 9/11 Commission recommendation. The WHTI final rule requires travelers to present a passport or other approved secure document denoting citizenship and identity for all land and sea travel into the United States. WHTI establishes document requirements for travelers entering the United States who were previously exempt, including citizens of the U.S., Canada and Bermuda. These document requirements will be effective June 1, 2009 [Press Release] [FAQs] .

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) jointly operate the NEXUS trusted traveler program. To learn more about NEXUS, enroll in the program online or renew an expiring NEXUS card, click here.

Department of Homeland Security
Traveler Redress Inquiry Program
Travelers can now resolve possible watch list misidentification and travel screening problems with any of the department’s component agencies with DHS TRIP, an easy to use web site.

Rewards for Jusitce
Help the U.S. government stop terrorism.

Softwood Lumber

Trafficking in Persons

Environmental Issues

Employment and Student Opportunities the U.S. Consulate Vancouver

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