Hi my name is Nory...I work for a US Embassy...

noryang

...so if I can answer any questions about paperwork, documents, etc. please let me know. My home board is Feb 2012 if you want to page me.

GilliC

Why do I have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to have pages added to my passport now, but I also can't speak to anyone at the embassy without making an appointment 2-3 weeks in advance, since they don't allow phone calls.  They claimed that the increase in passport fees was to help cover the cost of US citizen services abroad, so why has the availability of services gotten worse?  Where is that money going?

And one that you can maybe answer:  If I were to book a bunch of appointments via the embassy website, so that I had one set up every week for the rest of the year in case I actually needed something, could there be any negative consequences?  Last time I needed consular services, I couldn't get an appointment in time, so I'm thinking that having a standing time slot could be good insurance in case I ever have something that can't wait 3 weeks.

allibally

GilliC:

Why do I have to pay a ridiculous amount of money to have pages added to my passport now, but I also can't speak to anyone at the embassy without making an appointment 2-3 weeks in advance, since they don't allow phone calls.  They claimed that the increase in passport fees was to help cover the cost of US citizen services abroad, so why has the availability of services gotten worse?  Where is that money going?

And one that you can maybe answer:  If I were to book a bunch of appointments via the embassy website, so that I had one set up every week for the rest of the year in case I actually needed something, could there be any negative consequences?  Last time I needed consular services, I couldn't get an appointment in time, so I'm thinking that having a standing time slot could be good insurance in case I ever have something that can't wait 3 weeks.

Gilli gets right to the chase. lol

Hi. We moved boards but my H and I had our times and trials with the US Embassy in Bern for his green card process. Thankfully done with that part.

3Girls3xsTheFun

To the OP, you have a pretty unique name - I wouldn't advertise that you work for an Embassy. People on the net are crazy and can track you down in real life, and you wouldn't want there to be any appearance of inappropriate behavior. As gov't employees we have to be careful about not just what we do, but also how what we do looks to those on the outside. And to the pp regarding visa page fees, when the fees were increased in 2010 (maybe 2011? I can't remember) there was a cost analysis study done to determine the new fees. Those of you overseas greatly benefit from the resources the State Dept has and those resources cost money. So, while you may not see a direct connection with your local embassy, the State Dept uses that money for a wide range of things (evacuating Americans after natural disasters or terror threats/attacks, performing heath & wellness visits to US citizens in foreign jails, tracking down "missing" citizens, etc. ). If you are ever having trouble overseas and you aren't getting the assistance you need at the embassy you can always contact your congressional rep (or have a parent do so on your behalf if you've been out of the states for a while ). Congressional inquiries get resolved, and Congress works for you, it's their job to help.

GilliC

3Girls3xsTheFun said:

To the OP, you have a pretty unique name - I wouldn't advertise that you work for an Embassy. People on the net are crazy and can track you down in real life, and you wouldn't want there to be any appearance of inappropriate behavior. As gov't employees we have to be careful about not just what we do, but also how what we do looks to those on the outside. And to the pp regarding visa page fees, when the fees were increased in 2010 (maybe 2011? I can't remember) there was a cost analysis study done to determine the new fees. Those of you overseas greatly benefit from the resources the State Dept has and those resources cost money. So, while you may not see a direct connection with your local embassy, the State Dept uses that money for a wide range of things (evacuating Americans after natural disasters or terror threats/attacks, performing heath & wellness visits to US citizens in foreign jails, tracking down "missing" citizens, etc. ). If you are ever having trouble overseas and you aren't getting the assistance you need at the embassy you can always contact your congressional rep (or have a parent do so on your behalf if you've been out of the states for a while ). Congressional inquiries get resolved, and Congress works for you, it's their job to help.

@Girls3xsTheFun ,Why would my congressman care that I can't get into the embassy in a timely manner? I'm one lone constituent facing issues shared by almost no one else in his district. If he loses my vote it's no big deal to him.

3Girls3xsTheFun

GilliC- you would think that, but it is because of your unique situation that a congressional staff member would get involved. For some reason they love throwing their "weight" around the State Dept. I can tell you from personal experience (on the gov't side) that congressional inquiries get resolved FAST. So next time you are having trouble getting an appointment, send an email similarly worded as your previous post and they should jump on it. If not, you aren't any worse off, right?