Consulate General, Edinburgh
E-Newsletter, August 2007
http://london.usembassy.gov/scotland
We want to keep you updated on events that affect Americans across the world and to notify you of events of interest in Scotland. Feel free to forward this e-mail to friends or co-workers.
Upcoming Consulate Holidays: The Consulate will be closed Monday, Sept. 3 and Monday, Sept. 17.
Consulate Job Vacancy
The U.S. Consulate in Edinburgh is seeking a Consular Assistant who will be responsible for the full range of passport and American Citizen Services at post.
The successful candidate must have:
Two "A" levels, four Scottish Highers, or a U.S. High School Diploma plus one year college;
Prior progressively responsible work experience involving the application of relatively complex rules and regulations along with extensive public contact;
Knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite;
Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills;
Excellent drafting ability.
Closing date for receiving applications is August 28, 2007, at 5:00 p.m. For more information, please visit london.usembassy.gov/hrd/0772.html.
Edinburgh Capitals Ice Hockey Team
Edinburgh Capitals Ice Hockey team is Scotland’s only elite league team, pitting their wits against nine other teams from across the UK. The team this season primarily comprises a mix of American, Canadian, and British players. The season kicks off with the first home game on Sunday, September 9. Most home games are played on Sundays at Murrayfield ice rink, with face off at 6 p.m. For further information please visit www.edinburgh-capitals.com or email capskids@edinburgh-capitals.com.
American Indian Newsletter
The International North American Indian Association’s newsletter “The Turtle Islander” is full of information that might be of great interest to people of Native American heritage. Enjoy!
New UK Student Visa Requirements
For many years, American citizens coming to the UK for a period of less than six months ( for reasons other than tourism) have been required to have a work permit or entry clearance certificate issued by a UK Embassy or Consulate prior to their travel to the UK. However, short-term students, i.e. those who would be studying for less than six months in the UK, often were allowed to enter the UK without an entry clearance.
New visa rules come into effect on September 1, 2007.
Guidelines:
1) Students coming to the UK for six months or more MUST have prior entry clearance.
2) Students coming for fewer than six months and who wish to work up to 20 hours per week during term time MUST have prior entry clearance. At present, the Home Office views internships (i.e. British work placements) - whether for course credit or not - as work.
3) Students coming for fewer than six months and who have no intention to work - paid or unpaid (which includes participation in a work placement/internship) - will be given entry clearance as a 'Student Visitor' by the immigration officer at the port of entry. So, in this particular circumstance, entry clearance as a student will still be required, but it does not have to be obtained prior to arrival.
For all three categories, however, the student must prove that they are studying at an institution included on the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) Register of Education Providers.
Details are available at:
www.ukvisas.gov.uk/
or from the student’s educational institution.
Embassy London’s Federal Benefits Unit
The Social Security program provides a complete package of protection often not found in the private sector. Most people think of Social Security as a retirement program, yet Social Security also provides benefits to young workers and their families if they become disabled or the worker passes away. Also, if you have worked in the United States and are now approaching age 62 and retired, you may want to contact them not only about your eligibility to benefits, but about those of a spouse and/or young children. As always, when you correspond with them, please include your Social Security Number in your correspondence.
The Federal Benefits Unit in London can assist you with:
Filing for a Social Security Number.
Filing for Social Security retirement, survivors, disability, and Medicare benefits.
Continuing benefits from the Social Security Administration, Veterans Administration, Railroad Retirement Board, Department of Labor, and Office of Personnel Management (reporting deaths, changes of address, missing payments, V.A. burial flags, etc.).
Information about U.S. Social Security coverage while working in the UK
Information about the U.S.-UK Social Security Agreement and combining credit under both systems.
Direct deposit of federal benefits.
More information about the Federal Benefits Unit can be found at london.usembassy.gov/cons_new/acs/fbu/index.html.
IRS Reminder
The IRS would like to remind you that if you filed the Extension Request Form 4868, your deadline to file your return was extended to October 15. There is no form to request additional time beyond that date. Also, the 3rd Quarterly Estimated Payment for 2007 will be due on September 17 this year.
Edinburgh-Info@state.gov.
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