Sections & Offices

The Consular Section offers visa services and provides information and assistance to U.S. citizens in the Czech Republic.

The Consul General is Kelly Kopcial.

Visa Services

U.S. Citizens Services

Public Affairs Section (PAS) supports the activities of the U.S. government and the U.S. Mission to the Czech Republic through outreach to the Czech people. Public outreach includes informing the public regarding U.S. foreign policy positions as well as providing opportunities for interaction and exchange between American and Czech citizens.

These public activities are accomplished through cultural and educational programs and press and information activities, and they are supported by the services of the American Center.

The Public Affairs Section consists of three sections:

  • Cultural Affairs Section (Cultural, Educational and NGO Connections, Exchange Programs)
  • Press Section (Media Information, Press Releases, Social Media)
  • American Center (Information Resource Center, Speaker Bureau Program)

The Counselor for Public Affairs is Dale Kreisher.

 

The Press Office of the Public Affairs Section is responsible for Embassy relations with the Czech and foreign press. The Press Attaché, as the official Embassy spokesperson, handles inquiries from the media on U.S. policy positions.

The Press Attaché is Don Cordell.

Requests for interviews, statements by U.S. Government representatives on various topics, and official photographs can be directed to the press section at PraguePress@state.gov.

In addition, the Press Section provides Czech media outlets with current information on U.S. issues and events through official statements and press releases.

U.S. policy publications, including press releases and official documents such as foreign policy papers and speeches, are available upon request or on the Embassy website.

Visas for Members of the Foreign Media, Press, and Radio

The media (I) visa is a non-immigrant visa for representatives of the foreign media temporarily traveling to the United States to engage in their profession while having their home office in a foreign country. For more information, please see travel.state.gov.

The Cultural Section of the Public Affairs Section promotes cultural and educational programs in order to help Czechs learn more about American society and its values. We foster mutual understanding between the United States and the Czech Republic through a wide range of cultural and educational activities and its Small Grants Program.

The Cultural Attaché is Natalie Wilkins

Educational Programs

Typical activities include academic and professional exchange programs, including Fulbright Scholarships for advanced study and research.

We also provide assistance to teachers of English language and to teachers, students, and professors in the field of U.S. Studies to help develop programs that  promote better understanding of American society.

Programs also include lectures, seminars and other public meetings on a wide range of subjects, featuring U.S. speakers and experts from academic, cultural and other fields.

Exchange Programs

An important segment of the exchange activities run by the U.S. Department of State is the International Visitor Leadership Program which enables Czech professionals to develop in-depth knowledge of the United States and to establish contacts with their counterparts in the U.S.

Future Leaders Exchange (FLEX) –  Is a competitive merit-based scholarship program funded by the U.S. Department of State. FLEX students who pass multiple rounds of testing earn a scholarship to spend an academic year in the United States living with a volunteer host family and attending a U.S. high school.

NGO Cooperation

Through a variety of activities, the Office of Public Affairs co-operates with non-profit organizations (NGOs) throughout the country with the aim of supporting a strong civil society in the Czech Republic and encouraging Czech outreach to countries in transition.

In the field of culture the U.S. Embassy supports linkages and exchanges between cultural institutions of the two countries, and assists in the coordination of U.S. participation in major international cultural festivals and artistic events. We encourage events that present American visual and performing arts and literature in the Czech Republic.

For information on English language study programs in the Czech Republic, you can go to the Czech Fulbright Commission website.

 

The Political/Economic Section reports on a broad array of issues related to foreign policy, Czech domestic politics, adherence to international treaties and conventions, and its trade and investment regime. The section is responsible for drafting a number of Congressionally mandated annual reports and advancing shared security, economic, and human rights priorities.

The Counselor for Political and Economic Affairs is Elizabeth Hanny.

The U.S. Commercial Service at the American Embassy promotes the export of U.S. goods and services and protect U.S. business interests in this country. Our staff of Commercial Specialists provides trade counseling, market intelligence, Czech trade contacts, and access to trade promotion opportunities and trade advocacy.

The Commercial Counselor is Doug Jacobson.

For more information please visit the U.S. Commercial Service page.

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) office in Prague represents the interests of U.S. agriculture in the Czech Republic and is part of the regional office of the U.S. Department of Agriculture based in Berlin.

FAS Prague assists U.S. companies interested in the Czech Republic by locating agents, distributors, importers and associations. FAS also lobbies the Czech government to ensure that U.S. agricultural exporters are treated fairly.

For more information please visit the Agricultural Service page.

The Office of Defense Cooperation is responsible to the U.S. Ambassador in the Czech Republic and to the U.S. European Command (HQ USEUCOM). Its mission is to promote security assistance, defense cooperation in armaments, and humanitarian assistance initiatives and programs.

For more information please visit the Office of Defense Cooperation page.

The Defense Attaché develops military-to-military relationships with the Czech Armed Forces, provides advice on military matters to the U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic, and represents the Secretary of Defense, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Commanding General, U.S. European Command and the U.S. military services in the Czech Republic.

The Defense & Air Attaché is COL James Hackbarth.

For more information please visit the Office of Defense Attaché page.

The scientists of ONR Global’s Prague Office research and report on innovative S&T developed in Central and Eastern Europe and seek opportunities to promote science and technology collaboration of mutual benefit between the US and researchers around the globe.

For more information please visit the ONR Global’s Prague Office page.