Welcome to the International Travel Website for USDA Employees. You can access a variety of information here regarding various steps and requirements in the international travel process. At anytime click on the links to the right to browse by USDA International Travel subjects.

Step 1 – Contact Agency Travel Coordinator or Arranger
USDA Travelers must coordinate their official government foreign travel through their Agency Travel Coordinators. Travelers from the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) should work with their assigned travel arrangers. Your travel coordinator or arranger will also be able to help you obtain a US Bank Government Travel Card.

Step 2 – Obtain Official Government Passport
If you know you will be traveling officially for the USDA, you must have an official or diplomatic passport. If you already have an official passport and it will expire within 7 months from your trip return date, you must renew your passport. Don’t have a passport? Passport expiring soon? Visit the Obtain or Renew Official Passport page.

Step 3 – Determine Visa Requirements and Request
Visa(s)
Determine if you need any visas for the countries you are visiting by searching Visa Requirements. If you need a visa, make sure you fill out all required visa forms and documentation and provide these to your Agency Travel Coordinator or Travel Arranger. For detailed instructions on requesting a visa including a Do’s and Don’ts Guide go to the Requesting a Visa or Picking Up Passport page.

Step 4 – Determine the Travelers Health Requirements and Advisories

Please visit the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Traveler’s Health website http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/ to review the health advisories for your destination country(s).  The CDC has information specific to the country (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/list.aspx#B) and to specific disease preventative measures (http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/diseases.aspx).  The costs of required inoculations, vaccinations or preventive medicines are allowed reimbursable expenses. 

Step 5 – Create Itinerary & Travel Authorization
Draft your itinerary and begin the authorization process in GovTrip. Once you have determined a trip purpose, dates, location, and received verbal approver from your required superiors you may begin the GovTrip travel authorization. It is imperative that you comply with Federal and Agricultural Travel Regulations when creating your itinerary, including special rules for Premium Class Travel, Non-Contract and Foreign Flag Carriers. Refer to Regulations for more information.

Please refer to the Travel Regulations List for a point of contact regarding regulations.

Step 6 – Submit Request for Country Clearance
You are not to enter a foreign country on official government business without approval from the overseas post(s). To obtain this approval you must submit a request for country clearance via the Electronic Country Clearance (eCC) System two weeks prior to departure date. Instructions on how to complete your eCC are found on the Obtain Country Clearance link.

Step 7 – Obtain Passport, Visa and TRAVEL!
Do not leave the country without the following:

1. A signed Official Government Passport
2. Required visas
3. A signed hard copy travel authorization
4. A hard copy approved country clearance

Step 8 – Return Passport and Voucher Out
Per USDA regulations, travelers must return their passports to the International Travel Section (ITS) within 5 days of returning from their trip and complete their voucher in GovTrip. The Return from Trip page provides instructions on what to do upon returning from your international trip.