Message for U.S. Citizens – Early Closure on July 1, 2019 at the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Location: Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Event:  On Monday July 1, the U.S. Consulate will close to the public at 1:00 pm.  The American Citizen Services Unit will be open from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, for U.S. Citizen emergency services only.  U.S. Citizens in need of emergency passports should visit the Consulate General between 8:00 am …

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Message for U.S. Citizens – National Transportation Strike and Reduced Services at the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, the Netherlands

Location: Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, the Netherlands. Event:  Many operators of trains and regional public transport (buses, metro, and trams) in Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and The Hague, Netherlands, have announced they will be on strike for 24 hours on Tuesday, May 28, 2019. Due to the lack of transportation options for staff and customers, the …

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Ambassador Hoekstra promotes the Global Entrepreneurship Summit at the Next Web Conference

On May 10, 2019, Ambassador Hoekstra opened a special workshop at The Next Web Conference TNW2019 in Amsterdam, dedicated to the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit. The Next Web Conference is the largest tech conference in Europe, with more than 17,500 people participating. The two-day conference consists of speakers, panel discussions, and workshops. Ambassador Hoekstra tweeted: “Great to be at @thenextweb …

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Former Speaker Gingrich speaks in Amsterdam and The Hague

On April 1, 2019, former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich participated in programs in Amsterdam and The Hague. He started the day with a visit to the Artis Amsterdam Royal  Zoo . Mr. Gingrich has a lifelong interest in zoos, and was very keen to visit one of the oldest zoos on mainland Europe.  Together with …

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Ambassador Hoekstra invites American Citizens for a Town Hall Meeting

In close cooperation with the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam, Ambassador Hoekstra hosted a town hall meeting at the U.S. Embassy in Wassenaar for more than 80 American Citizens living in the Netherlands. After brief remarks on the issues that the U.S. Embassy is currently working on, such as the upcoming Global Entrepreneurship Summit and …

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Kick-off Coffee encourages entrepreneurs to apply for the Global Entrepreneurship Summit 2019

THE HAGUE, the Netherlands, December 17, 2018 –  Ambassador Hoekstra joined MFA Director General for Foreign Economic Relations Hanneke Schuiling for a kick-off coffee to mark the global launch of the 2019 GES online application portal for entrepreneurs in Amsterdam.  The event was held at Café Dauphine, which is located in the same building as …

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Ambassador Hoekstra engages with students of the 4e Gymnasium in Amsterdam

Fifteen-year-old Just Pallandt, initiated a high-profile visit by inviting Ambassador Pete Hoekstra to the 4e Gymnasium in Amsterdam. The Ambassador spoke to a group of 140 students from this secondary school about his personal background, the strong relations between the Netherlands and the United States, economic and security challenges we are facing, and the upcoming …

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Signing of the Condolence Registries

In honor of the memory of former President George H.W. Bush, condolence registries will be opened for those wishing to show their respect. Signing opportunities at the Embassy of the United States of America, John Adams Park 1 in Wassenaar, will be on Tuesday, December 4, 2018, and Thursday December 6, 2018, from 10:00 – …

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Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat visits the Netherlands

Last week, Imam Mohamad Bashar Arafat of the Civilizations Exchange and Cooperation Foundation (CECF) of Baltimore, Maryland, visited the Netherlands. In Rotterdam, The Hague, and Amsterdam, he provided insights into successful interfaith and cross-cultural exchanges to Dutch educational, community and religious leaders, as well as students, based on his religious expertise, CECF’s groundbreaking work with youth, and his 10-plus years …

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We’re here for you: information booth and presentation for U.S. Citizens this Sunday at the Expat Fair

This Sunday, October 7th, representatives from the U.S. Consulate General will be present at the Expat Fair held at the Beurs van Berlage (Damrak 243) in Amsterdam. They are available for questions on U.S. Citizen services from 10:00-17:00. Presentation: we’re here for you (13:30-14:00, Red Room) From 13:30 to 14:00 we will give a presentation …

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Statement Regarding the Attack on U.S. Citizens in Amsterdam

Press Statement September 5, 2018- The U.S. citizens injured in the attack at Amsterdam Central Station on August 31 would like to thank some of the people who have helped them through this difficult ordeal.  First, they thank the Dutch police for their quick and professional actions.  The victims said the police have been empathetic …

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Security Alert – U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, Netherlands (September 02, 2018)

U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, Netherlands (September 02, 2018) Location: The Netherlands (Country Wide) Event: On Friday, August 31, an assailant attacked two U.S. citizens with a knife at Amsterdam Centraal Station. The Dutch authorities were very quick to respond, using force to end the attack and taking the suspect into police custody. Dutch authorities have …

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Statement by Department of State Spokesperson: Attack on American Citizens in Amsterdam

September 2, 2018 STATEMENT BY HEATHER NAUERT, SPOKESPERSON U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Attack on American Citizens in Amsterdam The Department of State extends its concern and support for two U.S. citizens injured in an attack Friday in Amsterdam. We ask that all parties respect the privacy of the victims and their families at this difficult …

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Statement by Ambassador Hoekstra: Attack at Amsterdam Centraal Station

Press Statement Pete Hoekstra Ambassador September 1, 2018 I want to express my support to those who were attacked at Amsterdam Centraal Station yesterday. We are aware that both victims were U.S. citizens visiting the Netherlands and have been in touch with them or their families. We wish them a speedy recovery and are working …

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Amsterdam Pride walk

Around 50 staff members and their families from the U.S. Embassy in The Hague and the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam participated in the Amsterdam Pride Walk on July 28, 2018. The U.S. Mission in the Netherlands loves joining the people of Amsterdam in celebrating Pride and we reaffirm the United States’ commitment to protecting and …

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2000 dancers gather from 24 countries to celebrate ‘Uniquely American’ pastime

The 10th European Square Dance Convention is taking place in Amsterdam July 20-22. The weekend is a gathering of members of the European Association of American Square Dancing Clubs ( EAASDC). Three Dutch clubs (the Tulip Twirlers, Rainbow Strollers, and the Motiveters) organized the event along with Maarten and Wil Weijers. This is the first time …

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Ambassador Deborah L. Birx leading the U.S. delegation at the 22nd International AIDS Conference

MEDIA NOTE – July 20, 2018 Ambassador Deborah L. Birx Travel to Amsterdam Ambassador Deborah L. Birx, U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and U.S. Special Representative for Global Health Diplomacy, is on travel to Amsterdam, The Netherlands from July 20-27, leading the U.S. delegation to the 22nd International AIDS Conference. While in Amsterdam, Ambassador Birx will provide …

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Ambassador Hoekstra visits Bier&cO in Amsterdam

On April 3, 2018 Ambassador Hoekstra visited Bier&cO in Amsterdam, one of Europe’s leading importers of U.S. craft beer. Here, the Ambassador and the staff of Bier&cO had a round table discussion about the market for craft beer. Stephanie Heijning category manager at Albert Heijn informed the Ambassador about the attractive and innovative packaging of craft …

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Demonstration Alert – Amsterdam Wednesday, March 14

U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, The Netherlands (March 13, 2018) Location:  Announced gathering points include, but are not limited to, the following neighborhoods in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Waterlooplein Museumplein Event:  Demonstration expected to take place on Wednesday, March 14, beginning at 12:00 p.m. and ending at 5:00 p.m.  Dutch Teaching Unions intend to conduct a march and demonstration focused …

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Demonstration Alert – Amsterdam Sunday, March 11

Demonstration Alert – U. S. Consulate General, Amsterdam, the Netherlands (March 9, 2018) Location: Announced gathering points include, but are not limited to, the following neighborhoods in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Museumplein Waterlooplein Event: Demonstration expected to take place on Sunday, March 11 beginning at 1:30p.m. and ending at 5:00p.m. The group Pegida (“Patriotic Europeans Against the …

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Amsterdam Power Outages

Police report that nearly 30,000 homes in Amsterdam are without power due to a construction accident.  The U.S. Consulate General is also without power and all consular services and events for this afternoon, March 9, are cancelled.  We apologize for any inconvenience.  Please note that traffic and tram lines have been affected. Please follow our …

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Security Alert from U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, the Netherlands

January 26, 2018 Location: Grote Wittenburgerstraat, Amsterdam, Netherlands Event: Police reported a shooting by an unidentified individual in the evening of Friday, January 26, leaving one person dead and two injured. Police are continuing their investigation but believe the incident to be criminal in nature. The shooter is reportedly still at large. Actions to Take: …

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Demonstration Alert – Amsterdam, Saturday January 27

Demonstration Alert – U. S. Consulate General, Amsterdam (January 26, 2018) Location: Announced gathering points include, but are not limited to, the following areas in Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Museumplein City Hall Event: A demonstration and march by Koerdische Gemeenschap Amsterdam (Kurdish Community Amsterdam) is expected to take place on Saturday, January 27 between 3 p.m. …

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Cultural Corner: Ambassador Hoekstra visits the Anne Frank House

Ambassador Hoekstra and his wife Diane visited the Anne Frank House Museum in Amsterdam recently.  Director Ronald Leopold explained his organization’s educational mission and talked about the renovations being made to the building that houses The Secret Annex where Anne and her family hid from the Nazis for more than two years during World War …

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Performance celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr

Tonight Gershwin Bonevacia and Frank Sheppard performed an original piece written by Paulette Smit and directed by John Leerdam at De Nieuwe Kerk as part of the “We Have a Dream: Gandhi, King, Mandela” exhibit. The performance honored the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr on his birthday with words, song, and photographs. Ambassador …

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Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Personal Security Reminder

The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent.   U.S. Mission the Netherlands reminds U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security. …

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Cybersecurity and entrepreneurship event in Amsterdam

More than 20 students attended a panel discussion on Cybersecurity and Entrepreneurship at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam on Monday. The students, from the Vrije Universiteit’s School of Business and Economics in Amsterdam, participated fully in the discussion that touched on cyber threats as well as how to start businesses to deal with them. Leading …

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What’s on the CG’s Bookshelf: Overview

And that’s a wrap!  Our heartfelt thanks for accompanying us the past year on our journey to get know American authors, past and present.  We’ve greatly enjoyed your company and insights along the way as we discussed the authors, themes, and diversity in American literature.  We hope you continue on your own journey to discover …

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Remarks by Consul General at Liberation Concert in Margraten

Consul General David McCawley delivered remarks before the annual Liberation Concert at the Netherlands-American Cemetery in Margraten September 17, 2017 Distinguished veterans, Mr. Mackus, Mayor Akkermans, Ms. Young, Lieutenant General Rittimann, Superintendent Stadler, Mr. de Goeij, Mr. Rosu and members of the South Netherlands Philharmonic, it is a distinct honor for me and my wife …

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Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstration in Vicinity of U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, September 9, 2017

U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam September 8, 2017 U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam informs U.S. citizens to a demonstration march taking place in Amsterdam on September 9, 2017, focused on Turkey.  The march is expected to begin near Waterlooplein at 3 p.m. and finish on the Museumplein at 6 p.m. in the vicinity of the U.S. Consulate …

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Cultural Corner: last chance to visit two American exhibits in Amsterdam

Two exhibits, sponsored in part by the U.S. Embassy, will close soon.  Martin Scorsese:  The Exhibition, at Eye in Amsterdam, runs through September 3rd.  (Note the exhibit is closed August 30th).  This is the first major exhibition on the work, life, and passions of the American filmmaker Martin Scorsese. This exhibition is devoted entirely to Scorsese and …

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Emergency Message for U.S. Citizens: Concert by American Band in Rotterdam Cancelled Due to Terror Threat.

August 23, 2017 Dutch authorities report that the Allah-Las concert in Rotterdam at Maassilo Hall has been cancelled due to a terrorist threat.  Police have closed off the area, and heavy police presence is on the scene.  U.S. citizens should avoid the area. General security information U.S. citizens in the Netherlands are reminded, in general, …

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Security Message for U.S. Citizens:  August 23 Event Near the Consulate General Building

August 22, 2017 U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam, the Netherlands The U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam informs U.S. citizens of a privately-organized event being held for Charlottesville victim Heather Heyer August 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in front of the U.S. Consulate General in Amsterdam. We expect this gathering to be peaceful; however, all …

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What’s on the CG’s Bookshelf: Let it Come Down by Paul Bowles

This month’s book, Let it Come Down (1952), is the second novel by enigmatic writer and composer Paul Bowles (1910-1999), who spent more than 50 years of his life in Tangiers, Morocco.  In addition to four novels, Bowles drafted numerous musical scores, more than 60 short stories, and dozens of translations of Moroccan authors.  His …

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Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Amsterdam Pride, July 29 – August 6, 2017

U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam July 27, 2017 U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam notifies all U.S. citizens Amsterdam Pride 2017 will take place July 29 through August 6, with hundreds of events, including the opening July 29 Pride Walk and August 5 Canal Parade.  The latter event attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.  For more …

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Memorial Dedication Marks the Third Anniversary of the Downing of Flight MH17

July 17, 2017-  The third anniversary of the downing of flight MH17 will be marked by the opening of a national monument dedicated to the victims. The creators of this living memorial forest were inspired by the form of the black memorial ribbon, which was used as a symbol in the aftermath of the tragedy, and …

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U.S. Consulate Independence Day Reception 2017

The U.S. Consulate General celebrated 241 years of U.S. independence along with the 70th anniversary of the Marshall Plan last Friday at Amsterdam’s historic Koepelkerk. It was a wonderful opportunity to highlight the close ties between the United States and the Netherlands with friends and partners from across Amsterdam and beyond. Many thanks to all …

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What’s on the CG’s Bookshelf: The Buddha in the Attic by Julie Otsuka

July’s book is The Buddha in the Attic (2011) by Julie Otsuka.  The novel tracks the lives of a group of young women brought from Japan to San Francisco as “picture brides” in the early 20th century.  Told in the first-person, the novel eloquently evokes the women’s day-to-day struggles in a new land:  meeting their …

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What’s on the CG’s Bookshelf: The Season of Migration

June’s book is The Season of Migration by New York-based author Nellie Hermann.  Hermann’s second novel, published in 2015, paints a vivid picture of what Vincent van Gogh’s life might have been like during the roughly ten-months he worked as a minister in the coal-mining region of southern Belgium.  Little is known about van Gogh’s …

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American Soldiers Honored During Annual Liberation Day Concert in Amsterdam

The soldiers took part in a tribute to the allies which included Belgian, British, Canadian, Dutch, French, Norwegian, and Polish soldiers. King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands looked on while the soldiers marched out with other allies.  The concert was broadcast live on television via channel  NPO 1  and can be seen by clicking this …

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On the CG’s Bookshelf: The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien

May’s book is The Things They Carried from National Book Award-winning author Tim O’Brien. The 1990 semi-autobiographical novel blurs fact with fiction in its vivid collection of short stories tracking the lives of a fictional group of American soldiers in Vietnam and their adjustment to civilian life after the war. Considered one of the best …

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Dunkin’ Donuts opens first location in the Netherlands

The U.S. Embassy helped welcome Dunkin’ Donuts to the Netherlands at the grand opening of their first location on the Nieuwendijk in Amsterdam. The new location features Dunkin’ Donuts’ world famous baked goods and coffees, as well as a selection of locally themed products, including tulip and windmill donuts.

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CG’s Bookshelf March: Euphoria by Lily King

Winner of the Kirkus Prize for Fiction in 2014, King’s fourth novel is based loosely on the real-life passionate love triangle between pioneering U.S. cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead (1901-1978) and fellow anthropologists (and second and third husbands) Reo Fortune and Gregory Bateson, while the trio conducted research in Papua New Guinea in the early 1930s. …

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Vice Consul Alston at NiNsee New Year’s Reception

In celebration of U.S. Black History Month, Vice Consul Kharmika Alston highlighted the immeasurable contribution black Americans have made to U.S. society during a February 4 New Year’s reception hosted by the National Institution for the Dutch Slavery Past and its Legacy (NiNsee).   NiNsee strives to shed light on the history of Dutch slavery …

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Negotiations to formally begin for implementation of U.S. CBP Preclearance operations at Schiphol

As a result of the Cabinet decision on December 9, 2016 the United States and the Netherlands will formally begin negotiations to implement U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Preclearance operations at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) in early 2017. With Preclearance, travelers undergo CBP immigration, customs, and agriculture inspections before boarding a flight to the …

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U.S. Specialty Food exporters meet their Dutch partners

On November 14 and 15, 2016, nine U.S. exporters of Specialty Food Products had one-on-one meetings with twelve importers during a Reverse Trade Mission (RTM). This RTM was organized by Food Export USA Northeast in close cooperation with USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service in The Hague. The exporters were welcomed by Chargé D’Affairs Shawn Crowley and …

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Going for Gold Dinner: Celebrating U.S. – Dutch Trade

CG McCawley joined AmCham’s Executive Director Patrick Mikkelsen and others at this year’s Going for Gold Dinner featuring Royal Vopak CEO Eelco Hoekstra.  Click here to find out how AmCham promotes trade and investment between the U.S. and the Netherlands.

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What’s on the CG’s Bookshelf? Love Medicine by Louise Erdrich

This month’s book is “Love Medicine” by award-winning author Louise Erdrich.  Erdrich won the 2015 Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction “for [portraying] her fellow Native Americans as no contemporary American novelist ever has, exploring—in intimate and fearless ways—the myriad cultural challenges that indigenous and mixed-race Americans face.”  “Love Medicine,” the first of Erdrich’s …

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CG’s Bookshelf October: The House on Mango Street, Sandra Cisneros

Sandra Cabrera, spouse of CG McCawley, and a proud U.S. citizen of Colombian descent, introduces this month’s book, “The House on Mango Street”, by Mexican-American author Sandra Cisneros. In her 1984 novel, Cisneros chronicles the life of Esperanza Cordero, a young Latina girl coming of age in a poor Chicago neighborhood. This beloved book has …

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Amsterdam in Business Networking

CG McCawley met with Amstelveen Mayor Mirjam van ‘t Veld and others at the Amsterdam in Business networking event at the iconic A’DAM tower. Are you a U.S. company looking to set up an office here? Click the link to learn more about what the metropolitan area is doing to attract investors and new business

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Consular Fee Changes

PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT ON CHANGES TO RELINQUISHMENTS AND PASSPORT FEES On September 15, 2015, the Department of State published an interim final rule that makes changes to the passport book fees and fees related to the relinquishment of nationality. Relinquishment of Nationality Changes:  Effective November 9, 2015, the Department of State will …

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No more extra pages, just bigger passports

Effective January 1, 2016, the Department will eliminate the supplemental 24-page Visa Page Inserts (VPIs) for passports. Requests for VPIs will only be accepted until December 31, 2015. Currently, 52-page passport books are being issued to all applicants applying for passports overseas.  This policy aims to lessen the burden on frequent travelers who need more …

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Pride Week Reception

Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the U.S. Mission to the Netherlands Adam Sterling attended a reception hosted by the Mayor of Amsterdam in honor of activists from such countries as Turkey and Ireland to show pride and support LGBTI rights. Both Mayor van der Laan and Human Rights Watch director Boris Dittrich commemorated the liberal tradition …

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Ivy Circle Student Send-Off

The Ivy Circle of the Netherlands organized a proper send-off for a group of students traveling to the United States of America to study next semester.  Acting Consul General John Wilcock was on hand to give remarks. The event was held in the middle of the sunny Vondelpark in Amsterdam. Acting Consul General John Wilcock …

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Super Saturday June 20

—Due to persistant technical issues super saturday June 20 is canceled– –People who registered will be contacted– Are you eager to start your adventure in the United States, but don’t have time  for a weekday visa appointment?  No problem.  Let the U.S. Consulate General Amsterdam help you discover America.  We have opened up visa appointments …

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Visit Jack van Ommen

Acting Consul General John Wilcock met with author Jack Van Ommen an American of Dutch descent whose mother survived the horrors of the Dachau Concentration Camp.  During their visit, Mr. Van Ommen spoke about his book, The Mastmakers Daughters, based on his mother’s involvement in the resistance movement in the Netherlands during World War II, …

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John Wilcock visits Groningen

Acting Consul General John Wilcock met with students, community leaders, and international (business) community in Groningen, the Netherlands.  During his visit, he spoke with students of the American and Middle Eastern Student Association E Pluribus Unum on the occasion of their East meets West Conference providing insight into his life as a U.S. diplomat in …

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Super Saturday

Due to the growing demand for Non-Immigrant Visas in Amsterdam we have opened up visa appointments for Saturday, March 28.   To make sure we can help as many people as possible we are limiting visa appointments to those who meet the following criteria: Visa Category: B1/B2, F, Js, C1/Ds.  Find out what visa you need …

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Official Opening Waiting Room

Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs, Ambassador Michele T. Bond and Consul General Randy Berry officially opened the recently-renovated Consular waiting room at the American Consulate General in Amsterdam on Monday, March 23 at 16:00 hrs. With this new renovation we have restored the historically-significant character of the room, while providing 21st century …

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Martin Luther King Event 2015

January 18, 2015 Consul General Randy Berry opened the annual Martin Luther King Day event at de Balie in Amsterdam organized by Human Rights NGO Humanity in Action.  CG Berry not only remarked on the impact Dr. King had on the United States of America, but also the need for all in attendance to follow …

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