CHANGING THE OPERATING STATUS OF A FOREIGN POST
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
(Office of Origin: M/EX)
2 FAM 441 TEMPORARY DRAWDOWN OF OPERATIONS, AUTHORIZED and ordered departure, RESTRICTED OPERATIONS STATUS
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. During a crisis, there are several crisis management resources that can be utilized to assist with post needs:
(1) Emergency Action Plans (EAP) on PERIL;
(2) PEGASYS Post Emergency Guidance and Authoring System;
(3) PERIL Post Emergency Reference Interactive Library (for EAP searches);
(4) Evacuation Allowances (A/GO/PST/ALS);
(5) Evacuation Management System EMS - HR;
(6) Operations Center – Crisis Management and Strategy (Ops CMS);
(7) EDCS Office of Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service 2;
(8) 12 FAH-1 ANNEX K; and
(9) HR/OE for advice on how to support Locally Employed (LE) Staff.
b. Coordination between post, the regional bureau, and M staff is critical in situations where emergency operations are possible. When considering going on authorized Departure (AD) or ordered Departure (OD), bureau EX leadership, desk, CMS, Management staff and CA/OCS, and any other relevant groups, including but not limited to Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) and Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS), should discuss options before moving forward.
c. All memo and cable templates can be found via InfoLink.
d. Bureaus should consult with CMS on any specific questions not covered in this FAM or 12 FAH-1 ANNEX K.
2 FAM 441.1 NORMAL OPERATIONS TO AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE OR ORDERED DEPARTURE
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
Posts should refer to 12 FAH-1 ANNEX K when considering or implementing a temporary drawdown of post personnel through AD or OD, or when options for evacuation are needed.
2 FAM 441.2 REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION FOR AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE/ORDERED DEPARTURE
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. Regional bureau EX offices should consider proactively reaching out to post and CA and pre-drafting all materials if the bureau EX office is tracking a situation that may result in AD/OD.
b. When deemed necessary to save lives, the chief of mission (COM) may order the immediate departure of employees or Eligible Family Members (EFMs) on his/her own authority and must notify the Department of such action at the first available opportunity:
(1) Post must otherwise request approval of a request for AD or OD and should generally do so in the form of a cable to the Department; and
(2) The regional bureau EX office must draft an Action Memo package to the Under Secretary for Management (M) requesting AD or OD approval including:
(a) Tab 1 – Cable approving departure, providing fiscal and administrative data: (Regional Bureau EX is drafter; CGFS/EDCS provides fiscal data);
(b) Tab 2 - Press Guidance (Regional Bureau/Press is drafter, in consultation with public diplomacy (PD) officer in the relevant regional office);
(c) Tab 3 - Travel Advisory (CA/OCS/ACS regional office is drafter);
(d) Tab 4 – Media Note (CA/P is drafter);
(e) Tab 5 - Post's cable officially requesting AD/OD status (post is drafter); and
(f) Tab 6 – Draft Congressional Notification in accordance with section 5173(b) of the Department of State Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 (Div. E, P.L. 119-60) (Regional Bureau EX is drafter; H must clear)
(3) Time is of the essence in situations resulting in AD/OD. If there is a possibility of going on AD/OD status, regional bureau EX offices should consider preparing the action memo package, even if the cable has not been published.
2 FAM 441.3 TRAVEL REQUESTS/WAIVERS FOR POSTS ON AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE/ORDERED DEPARTURE
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. See 3 FAM 3770 regarding travel restrictions to a post where the United States is engaged in contingency operations, where operations are suspended, where a post is on AD or OD. Generally, travel to such posts is prohibited unless formally approved by the Under Secretary for Management (M) as described in 3 FAM 3770. Posts that are designated as unaccompanied or partially unaccompanied posts may also have travel restrictions, and these restrictions will apply to posts while on restricted operations status.
b. Information on procedures for requesting formal approval from M can be found in 3 FAM 3770.
c. Documentation for formal approval from M to travel to covered countries and posts includes:
(1) Action memo to M requesting formal travel approval (regional bureau/EX is drafter);
(2) Tab 1 - Draft cable response (regional bureau/EX is drafter); and
(3) Tab 2 - Cable authorizing AD/OD (regional Bureau/EX is drafter; this is the cable released after M approves original AD/OD request).
2 FAM 441.4 EXTENDING AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE/ORDERED DEPARTURE
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
AD/OD is approved in 30-day increments. After a post has already officially gone on AD or OD status, they will need to decide if they want to request to extend AD/OD status for another 30 days, or request to terminate. A post is not required to be in AD or OD status before considering a move to restricted operations status. For posts in AD status, after 60 days in departure status, post must indicate whether conditions warrant a termination of AD with a transition to restricted operations status. For posts in OD status, after 120 days in departure status, posts must indicate whether conditions warrant a termination of OD with a transition to restricted operations status. AD/OD may be extended for a maximum total departure time of 180 days – once 180 days is reached, a post automatically enters Restricted Operations status and should prepare a cable outlining their requirements:
(1) Post must send a formal cable following deliberations by the emergency action committee (EAC) setting out the COM's request to extend AD/OD. The extension request is packaged by the regional bureau EX via an action memo to M with the required documentation. Required documentation for extending AD/OD includes:
(a) Action memo to M requesting travel waiver. Ensure it adheres to the Line's latest action memo standards on InfoLink (regional bureau/EX is drafter);
(b) Tab 1 - Draft cable response (regional bureau/EX is drafter); and
(c) Tab 2 - Official cable from post requesting to extend AD/OD (post is the drafter; pull this cable from SMART records)
(2) Additional guidance regarding the timeframe for evacuation can be found in 12 FAH-1 Annex K Addendum 1.4.
2 FAM 441.5 AUTHORIZED DEPARTURE TO ORDERED DEPARTURE
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. Please refer to 12 FAH-1 Annex K Addendum 1.1 Temporary Drawdown Options for information on going from AD to OD.
b. Posts may not go from OD to AD unless M formally approves.
NOTE: Post has significant flexibilities regarding the duties that may be performed under OD and must present a strong substantiation regarding why moving from OD to AD is necessary.
2 FAM 441.6 TERMINATING AD/OD
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. Post must send a formal cable following deliberations by the EAC setting out the COM's request to terminate AD/OD. In making the request, the COM should consider whether conditions warrant a transition to restricted operations status pursuant to 2 FAM 442. The termination request will be packaged by the regional bureau EX via an action memo to M. Required documentation for terminating AD/OD includes:
(1) Action memo to M requesting termination of AD or OD approval – ensure it adheres to the Line's action memo template on InfoLink (regional bureau/EX is drafter);
(2) Tab 1 - Cable terminating AD/OD (regional bureau/EX is drafter);
(3) Tab 2 – Cable Return of Evacuees to Post (regional bureau/EX drafter);
(4) Tab 3 - Press Guidance (regional bureau/PD is drafter);
(5) Tab 4 - Travel Advisory (CA/OCS/ACS regional office is drafter); and
(6) Tab 5 - Post's cable officially requesting to terminate AD/OD status (post is drafter), to include any post request regarding restricted operations status.
b. Additional information may be found in 12 FAH-1 ANNEX K or via the CMS.
2 FAM 442 TRANSITION FROM DEPARTURE STATUS TO RESTRICTED OPERATIONS STATUS
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. The Department may decide to terminate AD/OD but retain operating restrictions on a post due to security and other specific circumstances at the post.
b. During the period when the post remains in restricted operations status, the travel restrictions of 3 FAM 3775 will apply.
c. Special evacuation allowances under DSSR 600 are not available for posts in restricted operations status.
d. Regional EX must prepare via action memo, for M approval, the revised operations model during restricted operations to include: establishment of an in-country staffing cap, limitations on family members at post, revised pay incentives, any implemented security mitigation measures, plans for the provision of consular services, any requested resources from Washington, reverse risk indicators, and other considerations as warranted (including any recommended changes to Locally Employed (LE) staff positions). The action memo to M must include a Travel Advisory Tab drafted by CA/OCS/ACS.
e. The Regional Bureau EX should consult with L, H, and CA on congressional engagement and any applicable Congressional consultation or notification requirements.
f. While this status (like AD/OD) is intended as a temporary measure to address safety and security, it may continue as long as necessary to ensure that adequate safety and security measures are in place given unique circumstances affecting post operations. Post should review this status at a minimum every six months.
2 FAM 442.1 TERMINATING RESTRICTED OPERATIONS
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. Post must send a formal cable following deliberations by the EAC setting out the COM’'s request to terminate Restricted Operations. In making the request, the COM should consider whether conditions warrant a return to normal operations. The termination request will be packaged by the regional bureau EX via an action memo to M.
b. Regional bureaus should consult CMS and DS with questions.
c. Required documentation for terminating includes:
(1) Action memo to M by Regional Bureau requesting termination of Restricted Operations; action memo should include any revised staffing request, changes in employee incentives, other applicable modifications to post operations;
(2) Tab 1 - Cable terminating Restricted Operations (regional bureau/EX is drafter);
(3) Tab 2 – DS assessment of security conditions;
(4) Tab 3 - Press Guidance (regional bureau/PD is drafter);
(5) Tab 4 - Travel Advisory (CA/OCS/ACS regional office is drafter); and
(6) Tab 5 - Post’s cable officially requesting to terminate Restricted Operations status (post is drafter) to include description of achievement of reverse indicators.
2 FAM 443 SUSPENSION OF OPERATIONS
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. The Department may decide to suspend operations in certain scenarios in which all U.S. direct-hire employees have departed post. The appropriate decision-maker will consider the specific circumstances at post to decide whether it is appropriate to suspend operations.
b. A decision to suspend operations, subject to applicable Congressional notification requirements, is typically made by M, but such a decision may also be elevated to the Secretary (S), the Deputy Secretary (D), or the Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources (D-MR).
c. Post and the regional bureau should coordinate with the decision-maker’s staff prior to circulating an action memo seeking approval to suspend operations. The regional bureau should also consult with L about applicable legal requirements related to suspending operations at a post and should coordinate with other relevant bureaus and offices, including DS, GPA, HR, OBO, Bureau of Legislative Affairs (H), Bureau of Budget and Planning (BP), CMS, CGFS/EDCS, and CA/OCS.
d. The Department is required to notify Congress at least 15 days before obligating funds to suspend operations at a post under section 7015 of the annual appropriations acts. The 15-day advance notification requirement may be waived if failure to do so would pose a substantial risk to human health or welfare. In those cases, the Department must notify the relevant Congressional committees as soon as practicable, but in no case later than 3 days after obligating funds to suspend operations. The notification must also include an explanation of the emergency circumstances.
e. The action memo seeking approval to suspend operations and the required congressional notification should be drafted by the regional bureau. The action memo should include the required Congressional notification as a tab and, if applicable, seek approval to waive the 15-day advance Congressional notification requirement, where applicable.
f. Refer to 3 FAM 7170 for instructions on employment of LE staff at posts in Suspended Operations.
2 FAM 444 RESUMING OPERATIONS
(CT:GEN-635; 06-04-2026)
a. The Department may decide to resume operations at a suspended post. The appropriate decision-maker will consider the specific circumstances at post to decide whether it is appropriate to resume operations.
b. A decision to resume operations when suspended for less than six months is typically made by M, subject to applicable congressional notification procedures, but such a decision may also be elevated to S, D, or D-MR as appropriate. The Department follows the 2 FAM 410 process to resume operations at a post that has been suspended for longer than six months or when operations will be resumed in a new facility.
c. The regional bureau should coordinate with the decision-maker’s staff prior to circulating an action memo seeking approval to resume operations. The regional bureau should also consult with L about the legal requirements related to resuming operations at a post.
d. The regional bureau should coordinate with other relevant bureaus and offices, including DS, GPA, HR, OBO, H, BP, CMS, CGFS/EDCS and CA/OCS.
e. A resumption of operations does not necessarily need to occur at the same facility where the post was located prior to suspending operations. Where appropriate, Post, in coordination with the regional bureau/EX, L/FA, DS, OBO, and M staff, should consider whether it may be appropriate to resume operations at an interim or temporary facility, which may be subject to additional congressional consultation and notification requirements. Refer to 2 FAM 411.3 for consideration.
f. The Department is required to notify Congress at least 15 days before obligating funds to resume operations at a post under section 7015 of the annual appropriations act. In addition, under section 105(b) of the Omnibus Diplomatic Security and Antiterrorism Act of 1986 (22 U.S.C. 4804(b)), the Department is required to notify Congress at least 30 days before opening or reopening a high risk, high threat post unless the Secretary determines that national security interests require the reopening in fewer than 30 days, in which case the Department is required to notify Congress not later than 48 hours before the opening or reopening of the post. The action memo seeking approval to suspend operations should be drafted by the regional bureau. The action memo should also include the required Congressional notification as a tab.
2 FAM 445 THROUGH 449 UNASSIGNED