1. Foreign Per Diem Rates Office of Allowances - Bureau of Administration

2. On Tap for today… Role of the State Department
Official Travel – Does the Embassy Know?
What to Know Before You Go
Foreign Area Per Diem
How Is It Different?
Who Sets & Updates the Rates?
What About Special Events?
What About New Locations?
How Do I Request a Rate Review?

3. Role of the state department
Mission:
Advance freedom for the benefit
of the American people and the
international community by
helping to build and sustain a more
democratic, secure, and prosperous
world composed of well-governed
states that respond to the needs of
their people, reduce widespread
poverty, and act responsibly within
the international system.
The Department of State and Agency for International Development (USAID)
Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2007 to 2012

4. Role of the State Department
First Federal Agency – July 1789
Lead U.S. Foreign Affairs Agency
Leads Interagency Coordination in Developing and Implementing U.S. Foreign Policy
Key Component of National Security Decision Making with DOD, Intelligence Community
Bureau of Consular Affairs: Passports, Visas, Protection of American Citizens Abroad

5. Role of the State Department
Foreign Service Officers: 6,554
Foreign Service Specialists: 4,848
Civil Service Personnel: 9,172
FS & CS Forward Deployed: 7,803
FS & CS Domestic: 12,771
FSNs: 37,089
268 Missions
Diplomatic Relations With 189 Countries

6. Official travel: does the embassy know?
The Ambassador Is the President’s Personal Representative to the Foreign Country
International Law (Vienna Convention)
Any Official USG Business – With Host Government, NGOs, IOs – Contact the Embassy First to Obtain Country Clearance
Exception: U.S. Military Under Regional Military Commander…sometimes! Consult the DAO!
Contractors: If on Official USG Business

7. What to know before you go

8. What to know before you go
Official or Personal Travel
-- One-Stop Shop
Country Information & Travel Warnings
Passport and Visa Requirements
Health & Medical Information
Online Registration with the Embassy or Consulate

9. Foreign area per diem http://aoprals.state.gov
Updates Published and Effective First Day of Each Month
Published Rates in U.S. Dollars
Exchange Rate Adjusted
Internet Look-Up & Excel Formats
Left-Side Menu: “Foreign Per Diem Rates”

11. How is it different? TDYs: Generally Same as Domestic Travel
Exceptions:
Lodging Tax: DoS Includes Taxes and Fees in Published Per Diem Rates
See FTR § – Not Separately Reimbursable
Laundry / Dry Cleaning: DoS Includes in Foreign Area M&IE Rates
See FTR § – Claims Not Allowed

12. Who Sets & updates the rates?
Based on Survey Data – Worldwide Missions & Other Agencies Collect, Certify & Submit Data
Department of State Posts – eAllowances Application
Other Agency Overseas Locations – In Concert with DoState Post
Data Analysis at Office of Allowances
Monthly Exchange Rate Analysis

13. Screen Shots of eallowances

14. What about special events?
Beijing 2008, POTUS Travel, G8 & NATO Summits, Etc.
Coordinate With DoState Mission
Contact Office of Allowances:
( )
(Tel) (Fax)
Special Rates Not Always Needed! Don‘t Forget FTR Subpart D: Actual Expense

15. What about new locations?
Must Demonstrate USG Traveler Need
Work With Agency Travel Representatives
Work With U.S. Diplomatic Mission
Recent Examples:
New U.S. Military Locations: via DAO & Embassy Management Counselor
G8 Summit 2008 Locations: via local U.S. Consulate
Updated Locations for DOE Personnel

16. How do I Request a Rate Review?
Work With Agency Travel Representatives
Detail the Justification – Example: Bogota
Office of Allowances – Liaisons with All Federal Agencies
Liaison Offices May Request Review
Forward Questions to the Office of Allowances

17. State department Internet Resources
Department of State
State Department Home Page
Consular Affairs
Office of Allowances
Career Opportunities

18. How to contact allowances
Phone:
Fax: or
R. Carl Paschall – Director
Audrey E. Thurman – Supervisor (Africa, Central Asia, Eastern Europe, Western Hemisphere)
Joyce McNeil – Supervisor (Near East, South Asia, East Asia/Pacific, Western Europe)
Marco Cuniberti – Policy & Regulations Specialist

19. Questions?