October 22, 2009
Question: "Dear Sir,
I'm sorry for my tactlessness, but I can't find your contacts to Staff department, so I've got a question about vacancies.
Thanks, Yours faithfully Sultan Mukhatov."
Answer: Dear Mr. Mukhatov,
Thank you very much for contacting us. There is certainly no need to apologize!
To find out about employment opportunities, please move the cursor over the “About Us” tab at the top of the screen, and scroll down to “Employment Opportunities” in the drop down box. It should be clear from the picture below.
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any more questions.
October 15, 2009
Question: "Hello Mr. Richard Hougland. I was glad to learn about winning Nobel Peace Prize by Barack Obama. Explain me please, do I have an opportunity to send my congratulation letter to the U.S. President? What is the best way to do it?
Respectfully, Bakhyt Rustemov, Kazakh writer."
Answer: Dear Mr. Rustemov,
Thank you very much for your message about President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize. I am very proud to be able to serve as President Obama’s personal representative in Kazakhstan. You can forward your letter of congratulations to me, and I will be pleased to pass it along to President Obama at the White House in Washington, DC.
September 10, 2009
Question: "Good morning, I would like to ask question regarding sending official request for participating in Green Card lottery. When this lottery is conducted? Where can I register for? Thanks in advance for your attention"
Answer: Dear Ms. Labodovskaya,
Thank you for your question on the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. The lottery opened on October 2, and you can enter it by visiting www.dvlottery.state.gov.
August 27, 2009
Question: "Hello, dear Ambassador R.Hoagland
My name is Galiya,im from kazakhstan.I came to the USA in 2007.Now im studying and preparing for master.I met with my husband last year and we had a baby couple months ago.Now i have to continue my studying but i dont have anybody here to take care my child while i study.i want to go back to my country with my baby to give my parents taking care of him.but im wondering how can i come back to continue my study?my visa date on passport passed but i have f1 visa with i-20 extension for every 6 months.In this situation how i have to solve the visa issue when i come back?thanks regards with Galiya"
Answer: Dear Galiya,
Congratulations on your marriage and your new baby. I wish you and your family all the best.
Unfortunately, I can’t answer questions on individual, unique visa situations in this forum. Individual visa situations can only be addressed by consular officers and immigration officials who are able to speak directly with an applicant to consider all of the pertinent details of his or her situation. I encourage you to seek advice from your university advisors and U.S. immigration officials and also to learn as much as you can about U.S. visa regulations. A good start would be to visit www.uscis.gov and http://travel.state.gov, as well as the consular page on this web site.
August 26, 2009
Question: "Hello, mr Hoagland. My name is Farida. I submitted green card lottery application form, today I received a message to send 55 euro for better way from USAGC organisation. But I know that submittion was over, Must I do this? What is a right way to take part in green lottery?"
Answer: Dear Farida,
The Diversity Visa Lottery, or the green card lottery as it is commonly known, is absolutely free of charge to enter. There is no way to better your odds by paying money to any outside organization. You should be very suspicious of any organization that approaches you and asks you to pay an extra fee related to the Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery. I will pass your letter to our consular section so that they can check up on the organization that contacted you. The following U.S. government websites, www.travel.state.gov and www.dvlottery.state.gov are the only official sources of information concerning the Diversity Visa Lottery program.
I wish you the best of luck in the DV Lottery.
August 26, 2009
Question: "Hello, our daughter was born in States and we were given her American birth certificate and passport, she'll turn two years old soon. Me and my husband - I'm Kazakhstani citizen, husband - Ukranian citizen, decided to come back to Kazakhstan for permanent residency, but we don’t want to lose the US citizenship of our daughter. What we can do in this case? Can we register her as foreigner here in Kz and get a visa for her, before she comes of age? Is it 'stay permit', is this how it is called? Or we will have to refuse from her US citizenship? What can we do? Please advice or tell us where we can get help on this.
Sincerily, Olga."
Answer: Dear Olga,
Congratulations to you and your husband on your two-year-old daughter. I wish your family all the best as you return to Kazakhstan.
Your daughter is an American citizen, and as far as the United States is concerned, she will remain an American citizen for the rest of her life unless she chooses to abandon that citizenship. Losing one's U.S. citizenship is actually very difficult to do. For more information on citizenship issues, please visit www.uscis.gov and http://travel.state.gov.
As for the implications of your daughter's return to Kazakhstan, you should contact the Kazakhstani Embassy in the United States or the Kazakhstani Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Their contact information is printed in the thread below.
August 26, 2009
Question: "Hi Mr. Hoagland .
My name is Peter Budkin, my question is, what is the proper way for my son,to apply for Kazakhstan passport in the US. In the age of forteen years old,i brought him in the USA. Now he is twenty seven . For few reasons, for this long period of time he could not get green card. Rihgt now, I'am like father, trying to help my child find out, if he can legaly apply for Kazakhstan passport in the US. soil.
Thank you for your time."
Answer: Dear Mr. Budkin,
If your son is a Kazakhstani citizen and wants to apply for his Kazakhstani passport in the United States, he should contact the Kazakhstani Embassy to the United States in Washington or the Kazakhstani Consulate General in New York. You can find contact information for both the Embassy and the Consulate below.
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States
1401 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C., 20036
Contact phone numbers:
Tel: 202-232-5488
Fax: 202-232-5845 (general)
Fax: 202-232-3541 (consular)
http://www.kazakhembus.com/
VISA & CONSULAR
http://kazakhembus.com/
index.php?page=visa-section
Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia.
The Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York
305 E 47 street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Phone: (212)8883024, (212) 2301900 ext. 17 or 18.
Fax: (212)2301172
e-mail: kzconsulny@un.int
http://www.kazconsulny.org/
English/index.htm
Jurisdiction: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
August 26, 2009
Question: "how are you?again me .I used to work in us embassy construction .My files have already been cleared.do i have any advantage to get a job?however i broke my leg before.now i am okey and can walk even play soccer.Thank you very much"
Answer: Dear Mr. Kurmangazy,
I am glad to hear that you have fully recovered from your injury. If you are interested in working at the U.S. Embassy, please keep a close eye on the Employment Opportunities section of our web site. It is constantly changing, so if there is not a job there today that catches your interest, there might be one tomorrow. If you do see a job listed that interests you, and you meet the listed qualifications, please email your resume to AstanaHR@state.gov.
I wish you the best of luck in your job search.
August 25, 2009
Question: " Hello, Sir
Could u possibly answer, what documents are considered to be as an Evidence of the purpose of the trip? if i need it for Au-pair program visa.
Thanks for ur answer.
Kate, Kostanai"
Answer: Dear Kate,
If you are interested in being an au pair, your sponsoring organization will provide all the documents you need to prove the purpose of your travel. If you are going on your own, or if you have other visa-related questions, please contact the consular section of the U.S. Embassy at USAKZ@state.gov.
August 25, 2009 Answer: Dear Mr. Kurmangazy, About your suggestion for placing an American Corner in Zhezkazgan, I will pass your email along to Tom Tanner in our Public Affairs Section. You can reach him directly at tannert@state.gov. I'm not sure when we will be in a position to open a new Corner, but when we do, we will certainly keep your suggestion in mind. It is impossible for me to comment on your individual visa situation. Our consular officers are trained in U.S. immigration law, and they look at each individual case and determine to the best of their ability each applicant's eligibility to receive a visa to visit the United States. Whether you are eligible to receive a visa at this time or not, I hope you will seek out all avenues to improve your English. For example, in many cities across Kazakhstan, the United States sponsors "American Corners" in libraries, where people can come to practice their English, to watch English videos, and to read English literature. To find out more about American Corners, please visit the American Corners page on our web site. I wish you the best of luck with your continued studies, wherever you decide to pursue them.
Question: "how are you Mr.Richard.Hoagland.I would like to ask you a question could us emabassy open a american corner in zhezkazgan town in Karaganda region?i appreciate"
I'm glad to see that you are interested in the American Corner program. American Corners are sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in cooperation with Kazakhstani organizations, usually libraries. They provide excellent venues for people who want to learn more about the United States or improve their English-language skills. For more information on American Corners, please visit the American Corner page on our embassy web site or our American Corners web site at www.amcorners.kz.
August 14, 2009
Question: "Hello ambassador Hougland. Я want to get a knowledge of English and also get a second education in the US.
I'm 31 years old. Are there age limitations? I got two denials at the visa interview in the embassy. Tatyana. Thanks"
Answer: Dear Tatyana,
I congratulate you on your desire to learn English and to further your education. There is certainly no age limits determining who is able to study in the United States. Education should continue throughout one's lifetime.
July 8, 2009
Question: "United States should be persistent in issues of freedom of speech, human rights, economy and in developing democracy in Central Asia. USA must encourage Central Asian countries to have consistent structural reforms, initiate creation of institutions of social/public control; at the same time, to find and support the very best character features in leaders of Russian Federation and CA countries; encourage them [the leaders] to learn, evaluate, use the world’s best democratic practice, and not to turn them into tyrants; not to push them to confrontation; to use simple methods of productive cooperation; at the same time to be firm and consistent in issues of freedom and democracy. I wish prosperity, civil society, free economy, and personal development to my country. I personally believe that the United States as a democracy is the Eighth Wonder of the World, as well as old Europe is in questions of tax and strengthening countries and budget in the interests of protecting its citizens. I absolutely disagree with our practice of tax reduction. The main tools for economy development and fighting corruption are – strong government, civil society, personal development, democracy, high taxes.
Regards"
Answer: The United States firmly supports freedom of speech, human rights, and economic development – not only in Central Asia, but all around the world. I agree with your point that we should work closely with the governments of other countries to reach these goals. We work very closely with the government of Kazakhstan on issues like these, as well as many others. Where we disagree, we will do so with respect. But on many of the most important issues facing the world today - from regional security to economic growth to the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction - the United States has found a strong, strategic partner in the people and government of Kazakhstan. We will continue to work together on these crucial areas of mutual interest, building a safer and more prosperous future for both our peoples.
August 8, 2009
Question: "I am a US citizen and so is my daughter, and my wife has her ten year green card. I was wondering few things. We are planning a trip to Kazakhstan from December 2009 till the end of January 2010. Do you think that me and my daughter will be able to acquire a visa for 2 months or are their certain limitations. I have reviewed the Kazakhstan Embassy website but it has me confused about the part of what kind of VISA that I and my daughter need?"
Answer: Dear Sir,
For information about acquiring a visa to visit Kazakhstan, you should contact the Kazakhstani Embassy in the United States directly. They can help find the best solution for your individual situation. Their contact information is listed below.
I wish you and your family a pleasant visit to this beautiful and interesting country.
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States
1401 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C., 20036
Contact phone numbers:
Tel: 202-232-5488
Fax: 202-232-5845 (general)
Fax: 202-232-3541 (consular)
http://www.kazakhembus.com/
VISA & CONSULAR
http://kazakhembus.com/
index.php?page=visa-section
Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia.
The Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York
305 E 47 street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Phone: (212)8883024, (212) 2301900 ext. 17 or 18.
Fax: (212)2301172
e-mail: kzconsulny@un.int
http://www.kazconsulny.org/
English/index.htm
Jurisdiction: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan - Rules of entry, stay and departure for foreigners
http://portal.mfa.kz/portal/page/
portal/mfa/en/content/
consular/foreigners
August 5, 2009
Question: "Hello Mr. Hoagland. I would like to know how to become U.S. citizen?"
Answer: Dear Madam/Sir,
The most common way to become an American citizen is to be born in the United States or to have an American parent. The other way to become a U.S. citizen is through naturalization. Usually this occurs after one has become a legal permanent resident through a petition filed by a relative or an employer. However, immigration law is complicated and I am certainly not an expert on all aspects. To learn more about U.S. immigration law, please visit www.uscis.gov and www.travel.state.gov.
July 15, 2009
Question: "Dear Ambassador Hoagland, i have met a seemingly wonderful friend in Zahsky via the internet.I would like for her to visit me in the United States, and she told me that the visa center told her it was 110-150 U.S.dollars for visitors visa. Is this true or can it be purchased with the currency of Kazakhstan? thank you for your time. i look forward to your reply.
Respectfully,
Charles Barthels
U.S. Citizen"
Answer: Dear Mr. Barthels,
Thank you for your question. The application fee for a U.S. visa is currently $131, payable only in U.S. dollars at the U.S. Embassy in Astana. If your friend schedules her interview at the Embassy Branch Office in Almaty, the fee may be paid in U.S. dollars or by credit card. Kazakhstani currency may not be used for this fee.
July 2, 2009
Question: "Hello Mr. Hougland my name is Aliya. A have a question to ask you. I am now in the USA. I came here last year by programm Work and Travel,in 2008. I graduated my university in KZ,got my diploma and I just decided to continue my study here. That is why I changed my J1 visa to F1. Now I am legally here, I am taking ESL courses. I am planning on go to university to get master degree, I really want it, it is my dream.I feel that something will happen, I am sure that I can get achievment.You know that in America you can realize your dreams. But one thing stops me to go further. I have already been here 1 year, I really missed my family.I want to see my mother very much. Are there some ways to go KZ and come back here to USA? I mean can I get again F1 visa ? I want ask your permission. I understand that I should not stayed here, that it was against Work and Travel contract,but any way I did it and there is no way to return everything back. At that time I was thinking !
only about study here, all of my things were about it.And now I am asking your advice, what should I do? Thank you ...I will look forward your response..."
Answer: Dear Aliya,
Unfortunately, I am not able to comment on any individual visa case, and it would be impossible for me to predict whether a hypothetical, future applicant might receive a visa when he or she applies. Our consular officers determine an applicant's visa eligibility under U.S. law, and they will make the appropriate decision at the time of the interview.
I wish you the best of luck with your future studies.
June 26, 2009
Question: "Hi, my 2 brothers and I wish to visit Kazakhstan this summer. We do NOT know HOW to get a Tourist, multi entry Visa to Kazakhstan.
Can you 'direct' us to who to contact in regards to this tourist visas for our short visit. a few weeks? ALSO, there are 1,000's of places on the internet offering to help and we do not trust them. We need the FACTS. ha ha.
Good luck on your continued success in Kazakhstan and all the good work you all do there on behalf of the American citizens working, living and visiting there.
THANK YOU
ERIC McKINLEY
CALIFORNIA, USA"
Answer: Dear Eric,
I'm glad you are planning to visit Kazakhstan this summer. It is a beautiful country with a fascinating culture, and I'm sure you will enjoy it. Please see below a list of resources that should help you get your visas. I wish you a very pleasant trip to Kazakhstan.
Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the United States
1401 16th Street, NW
Washington, D.C., 20036
Contact phone numbers:
Tel: 202-232-5488
Fax: 202-232-5845 (general)
Fax: 202-232-3541 (consular)
http://www.kazakhembus.com/
VISA & CONSULAR
http://kazakhembus.com/
index.php?page=visa-section
Jurisdiction: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia.
The Consulate of the Republic of Kazakhstan in New York
305 E 47 street, Third Floor, New York, NY 10017.
Phone: (212)-888-3024, (212) 230-1900 ext. 17 or 18.
Fax: (212)-230-1172
e-mail: kzconsulny@un.int
http://www.kazconsulny.org/
English/index.htm
Jurisdiction: Alaska, Connecticut, Idaho, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, Wyoming.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan - Rules of entry, stay and departure for foreigners http://portal.mfa.kz/portal/
page/portal/mfa/en/
content/consular/foreigners
June 25, 2009
Question: "Hello Ambassador Hoagland,
My name is Traci Sawyer. I live in Texas. We visited Kazakhstan 8 years ago and met a very sweet girl in an orphanage. We became her sponsor family and have grown close to her over the years. She has recently graduated high school very very good marks and has been accepted into college in Kazakhstan. She hopes to become a veterinarian. We would like to bring her to the US for a visit this summer as a reward for her high marks and hard work. But also, we hope to spend time talking with her one on one about her future. We have heard sad stories of orphans who don't do well, especially girls. We would like to be able to really encourage her to complete her college and make a good life for herself in Kazakhstan. She is an extremely shy girl and we want to encourage her while she is young.
I've read through the requirements for acceptance of a visa and I'm concerned that she won't have close enough ties to her home country to be given a visa. She has an acceptance letter to college as well as a sponsor in Kazakhstan who is paying for all of her college. She would only visit during July and August and return in time to prepare for her first semester in college.
Is there any advise you can offer to help us receive her tourist visa? We have hoped for so long to be able to see her again and can't wait to have her visit here. We have so many places we hope to take her to so she can enjoy her visit to the US.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Traci Sawyer from Lindale, Texas"
Answer: Dear Ms. Sawyer,
Thank you for your note. Your kind interest in this young lady is a wonderful example of how personal relationships bring our two countries closer together.
As far as the visa interview goes, besides an invitation letter explaining your relationship with the visa applicant. I would also suggest you send her, if she has e-mail, your query to me and this response. That really is the limit of what you can do. Our consular officers have been well trained in interpreting America's immigration laws, and I have confidence that they will give your friend a fair hearing.
I wish you and your Kazakhstani friend the very best!
June 23, 2009
Question: "Hello, Richard, my name is Andrey. I have three questions for you:
1. Can I get U.S. Citizenship just having a high school degree and also studied in a college but left it before graduation?
2. My wife has unfinished university degree and unfinished college degree, child 1.8 years old, and also want to apply for citizenship. Can we get citizenship for the whole our family? 3. My wife has U.S. citizen relative, so can this affect consul's decision?
Thank you in advance"
Answer: Dear Andrey,
Thank you for your interest in obtaining U.S. citizenship.
There are no educational or financial barriers to becoming a United States citizen. Most people who become citizens do so through being sponsored by American citizen family members, such as a spouse, a parent or child, or a brother or sister. Others become citizens after having lived in the United States for years as a permanent resident. People can become permanent residents through employment petitions or through the Diversity Visa Lottery.
For more information on U.S. immigration regulations, please visit www.travel.state.gov.
June 18, 2009
Question: "Good afternoon, Mr.Hoagland
I have got a multi-entry US visa last year, visited the usa for business purposes, the visa will expire on August 19, 2009. Im looking for chances to visit the USA during my holidays before it expires.. My question is: Is there any limitation for entry and leaving the USA before the visa expiration date, like for passports, to be valid 6 months at least before to apply for visa, etc? Just wanna make sure that my trip, which is planned from August 1 till 15, 2009 4 days before the visa expireswill not cause any problem for me during my stay. Thanks a lot. Have a good day. Regards, Ainur western kazakhstan region"
Answer: Dear Ainur,
No, there is no six-month requirement for U.S. visas as you describe - visa holders may apply for entry to the United States until the expiration date of the visa. Given the travel plans you have described, you should encounter no problems. I hope you have a very pleasant trip to the United States.
June 16, 2009
Question: "what is it Approval notice I-797?"
Answer: The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) issues the I-797 "Notice of Action" when they make a decision on a petition to work or live in the United States. The I-797 is not itself a visa, but an approved I-797 gives the holder permission to apply for the specified type of U.S. work or residency visa. More information on these types of visas is found at www.uscis.gov and http://travel.state.gov.
