The Department of State last week released a press statement announcing that the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has improved the information and services available on the Consular Internet website at http://travel.state.gov.  The website is intended to be more user-friendly.  Navigational tools facilitate the ability to find information more quickly and accurately.

Additionally, the Bureau of Consular Affairs is introducing the Internet-Based Registration System (IBRS).  IBRS will enable U.S. citizens to register themselves and fellow travelers, itineraries, and emergency contact information through the Internet.  The system includes the creation of country-specific listservs that registrants can join to receive, via e-mail, updates to Consular Information Sheets, Public Announcements, and Travel Warnings specific to the countries of their choosing.

U.S. Citizens traveling or residents abroad will have the ability to register under two separate registration categories: short-term or long-term.  Short-term registration is for those travelers who will be on temporary visits to a country or countries.  Long-term registration is for those travelers who are residents in a foreign country and members of their household, or persons making frequent or extended trips to a country or countries.  Groups and organizations may also establish accounts to register travelers.  For more information, visit https://travelregistration.state.gov.ibrs.

[Editor’s note: Several readers noticed that the USCIS is posting a four month old version of the Visa Bulletin. As of press time, that old bulletin is still online. The August 2004 numbers have just been released and we will publish the numbers in our next issue.]