Office of Allowances - Bureau of Administration

http://aoprals.state.gov

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?

Mission:Advance freedom for the benefitof the American people and the

international community byhelping to build and sustain a moredemocratic, secure, and prosperousworld composed of well-governed

states that respond to the needs oftheir people, reduce widespread

poverty, and act responsibly withinthe international system.

The Department of State and Agency for International Development (USAID)

Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2007 to 2012

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

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

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

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

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”

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

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

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

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

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

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

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