Embassy/Consulates Closure Notice
The US Embassy Ottawa and all US Consulates in Canada will be closed on Friday July 3, to observe Independence Day.

President Obama's 4th of July Message
Today, we are called upon to remember not only the day our country was born, but also the indomitable spirit of the first American citizens who made that day possible. We are called to remember how unlikely it was that our American experiment would succeed at all; that a small band of patriots would declare independence from a powerful empire; and that they would form, in the new world, what the old world had never known - a government of, by, and for the people. [more]

18 June 09
Embassy Press Officer takes in local color in Surrey
US Embassy Press Officer Stacy White spent the day June 18 getting to know Vancouver, starting with a courtesy call to CBC, followed by a visit to the University of British Columbia School of Journalism. She was guest at a lunch hosted by editor Paula Carlson of the Surrey/North Delta Leader. They discussed how rapidly the City of Surrey is growing, the loss of Surrey farmland to development, and the effects on Surrey of being a border municipality. Ms. Carlson spoke about how the Leader has gained “unlimited space” for news volume on the Internet, updating paper new editions daily on the Internet. Ms. White also took the opportunity to see both the Peace Arch and Pacific Highway border crossings and construction of the new U.S. border station at Peace Arch. Ms. White had the lead for Mission Canada in reporting the effects of the June 1 implementation of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative when passport or other secure document identification requirements kicked in for land and water arrivals to the United States.

16 June 09
Trafficking in Persons Report 2009
U.S. Embassy Canada congratulates University of British Columbia Professor Benjamin Perrin for his selection as a hero in the U.S. State Department's 2009 Trafficking in Persons Report, released today, in Washington, D.C. The 175-country report is the most comprehensive worldwide report on the efforts of governments to combat severe forms of trafficking in persons, a modern-day form of slavery. Its findings are intended to raise global awareness and spur countries to take effective actions to counter trafficking in persons.

Professor Perrin is one of only nine individuals worldwide to be so honored this year, and is the first Canadian to receive this recognition. He is a leading anti-trafficking activist in Canada and founder of The Future Group, an NGO dedicated to combating human trafficking and the child sex trade around the world. Mr. Perrin has advocated for the adoption of a Canadian national action plan and has pushed for stronger enforcement and more effective victim services. [more/photo slideshow]
[Full Report] [Canada Section]
Benjamin Perrin speaks on the Nik and Marke Show, CHUM Radio – Talk 1410 FM - Listen here.

16 June 09
President Obama Announces New White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport
WASHINGTON – Today, President Barack Obama announced the formation of the White House Office of Olympic, Paralympic and Youth Sport. This permanent White House office will promote the values of the Olympic Movement and encourage increased youth participation in athletics. The primary function of the Office will be to enhance awareness of the Olympic Movement through promotion of its fundamental principles at the federal level.

President Obama said, “It is an important goal of my administration to give our nation’s children every possible tool they need to grow, learn and succeed in life. A key part of this is increasing access to healthy, constructive activities like sports for our nation’s children. Too many American kids – particularly those in urban areas – have no access to organized sporting activities. Sports are an important way to instill values, judgment and teamwork in our nation’s kids, and this new office reflects our commitment to giving all our children a chance to thrive. As the International Olympic Committee moves forward with their selection process we hope that this new office can serve as a model for youth involvement worldwide.” [more]

04 June 09
27th May - Community Honours Local Vets For Service In Afghanistan
In the Fairmont Hotel Vancouver’s B.C. Ballroom, Canadian Army Capt. Mike McBride, Mentor for the Afghan National Army, emotionally described to some 500 guests and 110 veterans of the Afghan conflict the great relief he felt in Afghanistan seeing U.S. Blackhawk helicopters come into sight to take away Canada’s wounded. [more/slideshow]
Related:
- To hear Consul General Phil Chicola talk with Chris Brown on CBC-BC Radio’s Early Edition about the reception to honor veterans of the Afghanistan conflict, click here .
- To read a letter to Consul General Phillip Chicola click here.

26 May 09
The US Consulate cooperated with the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society in bringing New York-based acclaimed writer, Xu Xi, to Vancouver this week, to participate in several explorAsian Festival events in connection with Asian Heritage Month. The Public Affairs office worked closely with UBC’s Irving K Barber Learning Centre and the Department of Asian Studies to coordinate a reading and Q & A that proved to be very successful. Despite the school year’s end and competition with UBC’s Graduation day, 25 people stepped into the Lillooet Room to listen to and get to know Xu Xi. Here are some pictures from yesterday’s event. Xu Xi read on the 26th evening at the Roundhouse Community Centre, an important Vancouver community space. Then on the 27th Xu Xi joined Newworld Theatre in a multi-media presentation at the Richmond Cultural Centre.
[photo slideshow] .

24 May 09
Annual Veterans’ International Memorial Day Parade
Inscribed into a memorial in Mountain View Cemetery’s Field of Honour are the words “Lest We Forget“. These were appropriate words for the one hundred or so observers of the Annual Veterans’ International Memorial Day Parade on May 24th for Americans and Canadians to remember together.

Bagpipers, British Columbia cadets and veterans from the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom marched to the memorial. United States Consul General Phillip Chicola recited the Gettysburg Address.

The 59th annual event brought together representatives from many countries, Canadian government officials, branches of the Canadian military and also the Little Mountain little league team for one purpose—to remember. Vancouver-Burnaby Zone Commander and master of ceremony Kathy Ensor explained that the organizers wanted “as broad a spectrum of guests as possible” to join them in honoring veterans from around the world and “passing the torch of remembrance”.

19 May 09
A Visit From Ottawa
Minister Counselor for Public Affairs from the American Embassy in Ottawa, Linda Cheatham, visited Vancouver during the third week of May. During her visit, to participate in a Fulbright Directors Meeting, Ms. Cheatham also met Public Affairs staff at the US Consulate General Vancouver and accompanied them to the Vancouver Aquarium for a meeting with its director John Nightingale and a tour of the aquarium, one of North America’s most important research stations.

Ms. Cheatham later met for lunch with Mr. Naseer Pirzada, the managing editor of The Miracle, and Mr. David Jang, reporter for Sing Tao Daily, both important papers serving immigrant Canadian audiences in BC. The Miracle published an account of the meeting in its May 22 print and May 25 on-line editions. You can read the article here. [photo slideshow].

14 May 09
West Point Grey Academy Nith Grader Designs Winnning Logo For U.S. 2010 Olympics Coordination Office
West Point Grey Academy ninth grader Tiffane (correct) Mak was thrilled when told her design was selected in an area schools competition as the official United States Consulate General logo for the 2010 Olympics.
The young artist was presented a certificate of appreciation Monday May 11 by U.S. Consul General Phil Chicola, at a West Point Grey Academy student assembly. Representatives from the U.S. Olympic Coordination office also attended the ceremony. [More/Photos].

H1N1 Influenza (Flu)
The United States, Canada and Mexico continue to work together with international organizations in actively monitoring the H1N1 flu outbreak. For additional and latest information, please see the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website: www.cdc.gov [travel alerts][President Obama's remarks]

08 May 09
Working with Our Neighbors to Promote Reading
The Consulate General Vancouver is working closely with the Seattle Public Library system to promote joint reading projects between Vancouver and Seattle. As part of this cooperation we would like to host on our website podcasts of events held under the auspices of the Seattle Public Library. This podcast features a staged reading by the Hansberry Project of My Jim
[listen to podcast].

April 21 2009 - Podcast with Roberta Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs
Roberta Jacobson, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs, speaks with Public Affairs Officier Indran Amirthanayagam. [more].

Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative - June 1 Deadline
Carol Cox, head of the American Citizens Services section at US Consulate General Vancouver, joined CFAX 1030 talk show host Joe Easingwood April 16 to talk about the upcoming changes in border documentation required June 1 under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (See box on the right column of this website on Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, changes as of June 1, or click here). CFAX’ signal reaches a Vancouver Island audience from Sooke to the Malahat. Carol discussed WHTI-compliant travel documents, such as a passport, passport card, enhanced drivers license (EDL), and Trusted Traveler Program card, such as NEXUS (see NEXUS section on right of webpage), for land border crossings. She mentioned that U.S. and Canadian children under age 16 only need a birth certificate to cross land & sea borders even after June 1st. U.S. and Canadian children under age 19 with a social, school, or religious group also can travel with a birth certificate.

17 April 09
Consul General Phillip Chicola was interviewed by The Georgia Straight editor Charlie Smith and writer Travis Lupick for two April 17 articles: Cuban-American U.S. diplomat says Obama’s Cuba policy “not dissimilar” to those of Clinton, Bush Sr. (article here), and U.S. Consul General to Vancouver says demand for drugs at core of gang wars (article here).

The Cuba story coincides with changes announced by President Obama regarding Americans visiting Cuba. [Photo].

07 April 09
Consul General Phil Chicola Chats With Fanny Kiefer
On April 7, Consul General Phillip Chicola had a lively interview with Shaw Studio 4 host Fanny Kiefer, describing how his family left Cuba after Fidel Castro took power, and how the family settled in Florida then Nebraska. Chicola talked about the closeness of US-Canada ties, with Vancouver having more in common with Seattle than with Montreal, and Seattle having more in common culturally and geographically with Vancouver than, say, Birmingham, Alabama. He touched on regulations of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative and spoke of US responsibilities for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver for US athletes, VIPs and visiting citizens. He mentioned consistency in goals of US administrations, opposed always to nuclear weapons in the hands of countries with dictators and no checks and balances. He emphasized the need for NATO support in Afghanistan. This program, which is re-run during the day, reaches an estimated audience of up to 80,000 daily.

17-19 April 09
The Fifth Summit of the Americas was held in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago on April 17-19, 2009.
The theme of the Fifth Summit of the Americas, "Securing Our Citizens' Future by Promoting Human Prosperity, Energy Security and Environmental Sustainability" was developed in close consultation with member countries and partner institutions of the Summit Process.

Remarks by Secretary Clinton at Digital Town Hall of the Americas - View Video / Read Transcript

Obama Praises Constructive Talks at Summit of the Americas
Washington — President Obama said the United States entered the fifth Summit of the Americas in equal partnership with the nations of the Western Hemisphere based on mutual respect, common interests and shared values, and leaves after three days of constructive talks with what he called a good first step. [more]

[5th Summit website] [townhall.america.gov]

12 March 09
Consul General Phillip Chicola spoke to some 80 members and guests of Rotary Club Vancouver-Yaletown March 12 about the Obama government and future directions of US foreign policy. The consul general remarked on how general goals of the United States remain the same from one administration to the next. He compared President Obama to past presidents, particularly presidents Franklin D. Roosevelt who faced enormous economic challenges and Ronald Reagan, who like Obama had a strong vision. The event was held at the Vancouver campus of Fairleigh Dickinson University on Cambie Street. This branch which offers degrees in technology and business, is affiliated with Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey.

25 February 09
In coordination with teacher Beth Applewhite, Public Affairs organized a visit to Moscrop Secondary School in Burnaby. In the welcoming atmosphere of the school’s library, Public Affairs Officer (PAO) Indran Amirthanayagam spoke to students about US/Canada relations, discussed the world recession and President Obama’s economic stiumulus plans. The students quickly engaged into discussions with PAO, asking various questions about the U.S., while also showing quite a bit of curiosity in wanting to know more about what is means to be a diplomat. They also asked him about his native country of Sri Lanka and its politics. [More/Photos].

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.

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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.

April 2009: Ask The Consulate - ON THE BRIDGE: An Intern’s Experience at the US Consulate General Vancouver Sitting at my desk on the 22nd floor, high above the hustle and bustle of Vancouver’s downtown core, I gaze out my window onto the snow-capped North Shore mountains, Lions Gate Bridge and Stanley Park, and think, I could get used to life as an intern. I am an intern at the US Consulate General Vancouver and a Canadian citizen nonetheless. Interns are stereotypically looked upon as the coffee maker or Xerox guru. Despite being proficient at both tasks, my time at the US Consulate has been anything but ordinary. [Read 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] .

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

Are you an American citizen travelling or residing in Canada? Please register