U.S.EDUCATION > Studying and Teaching in the U.S. > Overviews > Visiting the United States

While Overseas

U.S. consulates provide many services for Americans abroad and are located in every country with which the U.S. has diplomatic relations. It is a good idea to learn what consulates do and where the one closest to where you will be staying is located. Registration at the local U.S. consulate lets them know that you are in the country and will make it much easier for them to provide service to you.

Information about the roles of the consular service may be obtained from the U.S. Department of State. This is an especially rich resource for a wide variety of sections of the USNEI site.

U.S. Missions Online are accessible from the U.S. Department of State's Web site.

Links to U.S. Consulates and Embassies Worldwide

Legal information is available from the U.S. Bureau of Consular Affairs pertaining to what to do in situations such as cases of legal trouble abroad, international adoptions and parental child abductions.

Returning Home

Some of the issues that can arise on the way back from an overseas educational experience may need to be addressed before you arrive back home. The U.S. Consulate can assist you with advice on many matters, but sometimes it is best to get the answer from another source or do so before departure due to lack of good overseas sources of information. Listed below are some issues that you might possibly confront and places to go to get needed advice before you depart, thereby avoiding a potentially bad experience on your return trip.

The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) regulates re-entry into the United States by U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and entry by foreign nationals. The INS Web Site provides a rich source of information on applicable laws and policies as well as online U.S. visa application forms.

The U.S. Bureau of Customs regulates what returning and entering persons may bring with them into the United States in the way of property and assets. It is a good idea to learn beforehand what you can bring back with you, and how much.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury Office of Foreign Assets Control can provide information and guidance regarding any property or assets you own overseas and what obligations it may create for you under U.S. tax laws.

The Agricultural Public Health Information Service (APHIS) provides detailed information on the rules for bringing food, animals, and plants into the United States from overseas.

Information on U.S. entry visas and access to online application forms are available from the U.S. Department of State for foreign nationals (including U.S. residents) and for U.S. citizens with foreign family members or dependents who seek to enter the United States.