8 FAM 503.2
Travel with Special Issuance Passports
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
(Office of Origin: CA/PPT/S/A)
8 FAM 503.2-1 Persons Permanently
Assigned Abroad
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. Bearers of special-issuance passports who are
permanently assigned abroad must use their special-issuance passports when
entering and departing their country of assignment, and for return to the
United States from their country of assignment. Regular passports must be used
for personal travel except when entering or exiting the country of assignment
abroad.
b. With the exception of those traveling with courtesy
diplomatic passports, bearers of special-issuance passports must use a regular
passport for all personal travel, including personal travel originating from
the United States. Misuse of a special-issuance passport may be investigated
and prosecuted as a violation of 18 U.S.C. 1544. When bearers of a
special-issuance passport apply for a regular passport, they must pay all
applicable fees.
8 FAM 503.2-2 Temporary Duty
Travel
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
There is no general requirement that special-issuance
passports be used for temporary duty travel originating from the United
States. However, the country of travel may have rules regarding the conduct of
official U.S. Government business using a regular passport. Travelers should
check with the U.S. embassy or consulate as to whether country clearance will
be approved for travel on a regular passport and if such travel can be
accomplished without question by the local government. Generally, the
Department will not reimburse fees incurred in obtaining a regular passport for
use on official travel.
8 FAM 503.2-3 Contractor Travel
Abroad
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. Non-personal services contractors (non-PSCs) (e.g.,
commercial contractors, independent contractors, industrial contractors,
third-party contractors, etc.) traveling abroad to perform duties in
furtherance of contracts with the U.S. Government are, in most circumstances,
properly documented with their regular passports. See 8 FAM 503.3
for limited, exceptional circumstances under which a special-issuance passport
may be approved.
b. Every country has different visa, immigration,
labor, and tax laws and regulations. As with any U.S. businessperson
conducting international business travel, when foreign visas are required,
contractors traveling on regular passports should contact the embassy or
consulate of the destination country to determine the particular documentary
requirements that apply to their travel.
c. Official or diplomatic passports will not be issued
to assist contract personnel or companies to evade foreign taxes or to
circumvent contractual obligations regarding obtaining local business licenses,
work permits, or otherwise violating the prohibition in 2 FAM 221.2
against seeking or obtaining diplomatic privileges and immunities for persons
who are not authorized those privileges and immunities.
8 FAM 503.2-4 Travel to Taiwan
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. In keeping with the absence of diplomatic relations
between the United States and Taiwan, all travel by executive branch personnel
to, from, or through Taiwan must be with the use of a regular passport.
b. Special-issuance passports must not be used for
travel to, from, or through Taiwan.
c. U.S. Government employees assigned to Taiwan who
already possess special-issuance passports may retain and renew their
special-issuance passports in-country, but may not use them for travel to or
from Taiwan, or for any other purpose while in Taiwan.
8 FAM 503.2-5 Travel by Former
Peace Corps Volunteers
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
Former Peace Corps volunteers may use their no-fee regular
passports for travel for a period not to exceed 90 days after the termination
of their Peace Corps service abroad and prior to their return to the United
States, provided there is no objection by the host or destination governments
and that no further endorsement of the no-fee regular passport is necessary.
If additional action by the Department would be necessary to allow travel using
the no-fee regular passport during these 90 days, the volunteer must instead
obtain a regular passport for such travel.
8 FAM 503.2-6 Compliance with
Host-Country Visa Requirements
(CT:CITZ-1; 06-27-2018)
a. The Department makes every effort to stay informed
of foreign visa regulations, and expects official travelers to comply with the
visa regulations and requirements of foreign governments.
b. Country specific visa requirements can be obtained
on the ECountryClearance application and on the CA/PPT/SIA web page under
Official and Diplomatic Visa Information.
c. Posts should inform both the country desk
and CA/PPT/SIA when host country visa requirements change.
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NOTE: Although the
Department repeatedly advises U.S. Government agencies that some countries
(e.g., France and Egypt) have visa requirements for all persons entering on
official or diplomatic passports, travelers still arrive in these countries
without the required visas. The travelers attention to visa
requirements is essential and must be addressed well in advance of any
proposed travel.
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