Foreign Per Diem Rates Office of Allowances - Bureau of Administration http://aoprals.state.gov

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?

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

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

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

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 http://ecc.state.gov Exception: U.S. Military Under Regional Military Commander…sometimes! Consult the DAO! Contractors: If on Official USG Business

What to know before you go

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

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 http://aoprals.state.gov Left-Side Menu: “Foreign Per Diem Rates”

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 §301-11.27 – Not Separately Reimbursable Laundry / Dry Cleaning: DoS Includes in Foreign Area M&IE Rates See FTR §301-11.31 – Claims Not Allowed

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 http://aoprals.state.gov

Screen Shots of eallowances

What about special events? Beijing 2008, POTUS Travel, G8 & NATO Summits, Etc. Coordinate With DoState Mission Contact Office of Allowances: AllowancesO@state.gov (email) 202-261-8700 (Tel) 202-261-8707 (Fax) Special Rates Not Always Needed! Don‘t Forget FTR 301-11 Subpart D: Actual Expense

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

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 AllowancesO@state.gov

State department Internet Resources Department of State http://www.state.gov State Department Home Page http://travel.state.gov Consular Affairs http://aoprals.state.gov Office of Allowances http://careers.state.gov Career Opportunities

How to contact allowances Email: AllowancesO@state.gov Phone: 202-261-8700 Fax: 202-261-8707 or 202-261-8708 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

Questions?