Travel Program

The Foreign Missions Act authorizes the Secretary of State to designate the terms and conditions under which benefits may be granted to foreign missions. In March 1983, it was determined that travel services for personnel and their dependents from certain foreign missions could be obtained only through the Office of Foreign Missions. Those foreign missions that have been notified must file a Travel Service Request (TSR) with OFM for the following services:

Air, bus, and rail transportation

Lodging in commercial accommodations (including camping facilities)

Car rentals

Other foreign missions, that also have been notified, are not required to use travel services, but must request the Department's permission to travel by submitting Travel Notification Forms (TNFs) in advance of all proposed travel. These requests must be filed with the Department two (2) full business days before the traveler's intended date of departure. If the TNF does not meet the specified time requirements, the traveler must request (in writing) that a "Time Exception" be granted, which the Department of State reserves the right to approve or deny.