East Asia Pacific Top Stories from America.gov

America.gov Latest Items from Washington

Prime Minister Rudd Makes First Official Visit to Washington

28 March 2008 — Washington D.C.

On Friday, President Bush welcomed Prime Minister Rudd to the White House as part of the Prime Minister’s first official visit to the United States. The two leaders met on Friday morning and then held a joint press availability where both reiterated how strong our alliance is, and their confidence that our “alliance has a strong, robust future” and how our “friendship will strengthen and endure under the leadership of Kevin Rudd.” The pair also discussed the global economy and the Doha Round, the environment, and helping developing nations, as well as Iraq, to which the President expressed his appreciation of the Prime Minister as “somebody who does what he says he’s going to do.”

More information

• Transcript of Joint Press Availability with President Bush and Prime Minster Rudd
• Video of Joint Press Availability with President Bush and Prime Minister Rudd

U.S. – Australia Student Work and Travel Pilot Program

The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program announced by President Bush and Prime Minister Howard in September went into effect October 31, 2007.

The program, which allows American and Australian post-secondary students and recent graduates to work and travel in Australia or the U.S. for up to one year, further strengthens the cultural and personal ties between our two nations. Although Australia has similar arrangements with other countries, this is the first program of its kind for the United States.

Interested Australian participants must first secure sponsorship from an approved exchange organization. The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs has initially approved the following sponsoring organizations:

• American Institute for Foreign Study, Inc.
• Camp Counselors USA/Work Experience USA
• Core Consulting Solutions, LLC.
• Council on International Educational Exchange
• Cultural Homestay International
• InterExchange, Inc.
• International Cultural Exchange Organization, Inc.
• International Exchange of North America, Inc.
• Life Adventures, Inc.
• Walt Disney World Co.

Further information on program sponsorship for the Student Work and Travel Pilot and other exchange visitor programs is available on the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Website.

Please see our nonimmigrant visa page for general information on the U.S. visa application process, including how to apply for a U.S. visa in Australia.

ACS Newsletter

April 2008

The latest Melbourne ACS Newsletter is now available.

Visa Chat: Non-Immigrant Visas

Wednesday, 2 April 2008

The chat on Non-Immigrant Visas is now concluded. Thank you to everyone who participated, and we hope that the session was helpful and informative to all! The full transcript of the session is now available.

DCM Clune Visits South Australia

South Australia — November 2007

Deputy Chief of Mission Daniel Clune undertook a regional tour of South Australia and a visit to the state’s capital Adelaide.

In Adelaide, the DCM participated in a live-to-air radio interview with South Australia’s highest rating breakfast radio program.

Read more about DCM Clune’s visit to South Australia…

Embassy News and Notices

• The U.S. Consulate General in Melbourne will be closed on Monday, 26 May 2008, to observe Memorial Day.

Consular News

• The U.S. Consulate General, Melbourne is pleased to offer an online appointment system for those seeking services provided by the American Citizens Services Section.

  As of Monday, November 5, 2007, you must make an appointment via our website (melbourne.usconsulate.gov) to be allowed entry into the consular section for routine non emergency services. Please use the U.S. Department of State website to make an appointment in Melbourne.

  You will need to bring evidence of an existing appointment in order to be permitted access to the Consulate.

  Please follow the instructions for the particular service you require. You will also find the link to making an appointment in the instructions.

  If the particular service you need does not require a personal appearance at the Consulate, you will be instructed to submit your application by mail.

• Public Announcement - Worldwide Caution (17 January 2008)
• China Travel Alert (15 May 2008)
• Travel Warning: East Timor (15 February 2008)
• Avian Influenza information
• U.S. Consular Services in Australia - Find the Consulate for your region