3 FAM 3740
EMERGENCY VISITATION TRAVEL (evt)
(CT:PER-1183; 04-08-2024)
(Office of Origin: GTM/ER/WLD)
3 FAM 3741 AUTHORITY
(CT:PER-925; 09-24-2018)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
The authority for this policy includes Sections 901 and 904 of the Foreign Service Act of 1980 (22 U.S.C. 4081 and 4084).
3 FAM 3742 PURPOSE
(CT:PER-925; 09-24-2018)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Emergency visitation travel (EVT) is a benefit that allows an eligible individual to travel at U.S. Government expense from the post of assignment to the United States or to other locations in certain situations of family emergency. This subchapter sets forth Department policy on this benefit.
3 FAM 3743 ELIGIBILITY
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. All Foreign Service employees stationed abroad, including Civil Service employees on limited non-career appointments (LNAs), and certain eligible family members (EFMs) residing at the employee’s post of assignment (with limited exceptions), are eligible for emergency visitation travel (EVT). (Note: References to domestic partners in this subchapter are subject to 3 FAM 1610). EVT is not authorized for travel within the country of assignment abroad. All EVT requests are required to be authorized on a case-by-case basis, pursuant to the procedures in this section and in 3 FAH-1 H-3740.
b. Employees assigned abroad who are away from post of assignment on temporary duty (TDY) assignments are eligible for EVT regardless of TDY location. Employees and certain eligible EFMs who are on other official travel (R&R or home leave) or on personal leave are eligible for cost-constructed EVT (see 3 FAM 3749.1) as long as the eligible individual’s EVT point of departure is not in the same country as the family member to be visited.
c. Employees temporarily assigned to Washington, DC for long-term training are not eligible for EVT.
d. Employees abroad who are away from post of assignment should make every effort to consult with the EVT authorizing office and post management officer before initiating EVT travel. This consultation is essential in determining the most appropriate course for continuation of travel, and will minimize employee liability for fare change penalties, etc.
e. A locally-employed staff member is not eligible for EVT unless the staff member is a spouse or domestic partner of an eligible employee.
f. Only employees performing official duties at a State Department-designated unaccompanied post are eligible for unaccompanied post EVT.
3 FAM 3744 GENERAL PROVISIONS
(CT:PER-1183; 04-08-2024)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. There are six categories of EVT; each may be authorized under the following circumstances:
(1) Medical: An immediate family member of the employee or the employee’s spouse or domestic partner is seriously ill or injured and death is imminent; i.e., expected within days. The Bureau of Medical Services (MED) makes this determination after consultation with the family member’s physician. Post approves medical EVT upon recommendation from MED and post provides the fund citations for medical EVTs in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2;
(2) Death: An immediate family member of the employee or the employee’s spouse or domestic partner dies; or the employee or an EFM resident at the post of assignment dies. Eligible individuals may travel to the funeral or to the place of interment in the United States or abroad. The Department of State’s Office of Employee Relations (GTM/ER) approves death EVTs and post provides the fund citations for death EVTs in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2.
(3) Eldercare: A parent of the employee or the employee’s spouse or domestic partner becomes temporarily or permanently incapacitated but is expected to survive and travel is necessary to assess the parent’s need for new living arrangements or other form of care. The Department of State’s Office of Employee Relations (GTM/ER) approves eldercare EVTs and the Department’s Division of Resource Management (GTM/EX/RMD) provides the fund citations for eldercare EVTs in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2;
(4) New Child: A non-birth parent departs post to care for a spouse or domestic partner who is giving birth in another country; or the non-birth parent(s) depart post to receive a new child/children through adoption, fostering, or born through surrogacy. Post provides the fund citation for New Child EVTs in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2. Approval procedures are outlined in 3 FAM 3746.6;
(5) Unaccompanied post: An employee on official duty at an unaccompanied post is seriously wounded or becomes critically ill, is subsequently medevaced to another medical facility, and a family member’s and/or agent’s presence is determined to be medically required during the emergency period. State’s Office of Casualty Assistance (GTM/OCA) approves and State’s regional bureaus fund unaccompanied post EVT for State employees in accordance with 3 FAM 3792.2.
(6) Unusual personal hardship: Unusual circumstances, other than those outlined in subparagraphs (a)(1) through (a)(5) above, meriting urgent travel for family visitation with an immediate family member of an employee or employee’s spouse or domestic partner, in situations involving personal hardship. GTM/ER (State) approves and post provides the fund cite in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2 for unusual personal hardship EVT.
b. Authorizing and reporting offices: For all agencies, see 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3741(2).
c. Funding: For all agencies, see 3 FAM 3749.2.
d. Number of travelers permitted: Ordinarily, only one member of a family (the person directly related to the family member to be visited) may travel on EVT orders at U.S. Government expense. Exceptions:
(1) If an employee or EFM resident at post dies, the remaining EFMs resident at post may travel to the funeral or to the place of interment in the United States or abroad;
(2) All EFM children or other EFMs incapable of self-support as defined in 14 FAM 511.3 who are listed on the employee’s overseas travel orders may travel on a sole or single parent’s EVT authorization. A nursing child may accompany a nursing parent on EVT. When a nursing parent is away from post on TDY at the time EVT becomes necessary, the employee may utilize the authorized benefit of shipping breast milk from their EVT destination consistent with 14 FAM 562.1.
(3) In EVT cases involving children who require exceptional medical attention and where both parents reside at post, both parents may be authorized to travel under the EVT authority;
(4) For unaccompanied post EVT, the number of travelers may not exceed three except where the traveling party is comprised solely of the employee’s children (as defined in 14 FAM 511.3) and spouse or domestic partner. The Department of State’s Office of Casualty Assistance (OCA) will make a decision for additional travelers on a case-by-case basis.
(5) For New Child EVT, where the birth parent is not on obstetric medevac (OB medevac) travel orders, an EFM spouse or domestic partner may still be authorized to travel under New Child EVT orders, but children may only be added to the New Child EVT orders as defined in 14 FAM 511.3 and are listed on the employee’s overseas travel orders. Note: Where a birth parent is on OB medevac travel orders, EFMs incapable of self-care, including minor children, may be authorized to travel under the birth parent’s OB medevac orders, while an EFM spouse or domestic partner may be authorized to travel on separate New Child EVT orders. If the non-birth parent(s) reside at post, travel is authorized under the EVT authority to receive the new child/children that will be adopted, fostered, or born through surrogacy.
e. Relationship of EVT travelers: EVT benefits are not generally transferable. Only the employee, spouse, or domestic partner, directly related to the family member to be visited may be authorized EVT. Exceptions:
(1) In exceptional circumstances such as the critical illness or injury of the traveler who otherwise would be authorized for EVT, the chief of mission or head of the Agriculture, USAGM, Commerce, or USAID establishment abroad may authorize the employee, spouse, or domestic partner to travel in place of such traveler;
(2) For eldercare EVT, the employee may designate the spouse or domestic partner to travel in their place, and vice versa;
(3) For unaccompanied post EVT: If an immediate family member is not a suitable designee or if the employee has no immediate family, the employee may:
(a) Designate other member(s) of the employee’s extended family or the employee’s spouse’s or domestic partner’s family, subject to OCA approval; or
(b) Designate an agent (see definition in 3 FAM 3745) authorized to travel in support of a medevaced employee.
3 FAM 3745 DEFINITIONS
(CT:PER-1134; 06-07-2023)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Adoption: A legal process in which an individual becomes the legal parent of a child. The source of an adopted child, e.g., whether from a licensed placement agency or otherwise.
Agent: For purposes of unaccompanied post EVT, an agent authorized to travel in support of a medevaced employee ordinarily will be an individual other than a family member, who holds a medical power-of-attorney for the employee. On a case-by-case basis, State’s Office of Casualty Assistance (GTM/OCA) may authorize the travel of another appropriate individual who does not hold a medical power-of-attorney to serve as an employee’s agent.
Domestic Partner: See definition in 3 FAM 1610.
Eligible family members: See definition in 14 FAM 511.3.
Family member: For purposes of unaccompanied post EVT only, the term includes eligible family members as defined in 14 FAM 511.3 and may include other immediate family (parents/guardians or siblings, including stepparents or stepsiblings, and nondependent children), regardless of whether such individuals are designated on the employee’s assignment travel orders.
Foster: Foster care is defined as: providing 24-hour care for children in substitution for, and away from, their parents or guardian. Such placement is made by or with the agreement of the State or relevant authority as a result of a voluntary agreement by the parent or guardian that the child be removed from the home, or pursuant to a judicial determination of the necessity for foster care, and involved agreement between the State and foster family to take the child. Although foster care may be with relatives of the child, State action is involved in the removal of the child from parental custody (3 FAM 3531.5). The legal agreement must permit travel of a foster child with the foreign service officer non-birth parent.
Immediate family member: For EVT purposes, this term applies to an individual with any of the following relationships to the EVT traveler:
(1) Spouse or domestic partner;
(2) Children, including stepchildren, adopted children, and those who are or were under legal guardianship; and
(3) Parents.
In the case of death EVT, the term “immediate family member” also includes siblings, including stepbrothers, stepsisters, half-brothers and half-sisters of the traveler.
An EVT traveler’s “in-law” (i.e., the parent of that individual’s spouse or domestic partner) is not considered an immediate family member for EVT purposes.
Incapacitation: A physical, mental, emotional, or post-surgical condition whether temporary or permanent, that is severely impairing a parent’s ability to continue with current living arrangements.
Medical power of attorney: A legal document signed by a competent adult, i.e., "principal," designating a person whom the principal trusts to make health-care decisions on the principal's behalf should the principal be unable to make such decisions.
New Child: The newborn, adopted, fostered, or surrogate child of an employee or employee’s spouse / domestic partner.
Parent: The mother, father, stepparent, or legally adoptive parent of the EVT traveler, or individuals who have stood in place of a parent for the EVT traveler during a significant portion of the individual’s childhood prior to age 18. For purposes of EVT, an employee, spouse, or domestic partner cannot be deemed to have more than two parents under any circumstances. For example, if an employee, spouse, or domestic partner has identified two birth parents as “parents” and traveled on medical, eldercare, or unusual personal hardship EVT to assist them, the employee cannot request EVT for a third parental individual, for example death EVT, upon the death of a stepparent.
Post: The administrative officer (AO), human resource officer (HRO), or delegate who carries out post human resource responsibilities including EVT.
Surrogacy: The process by which the birth parent of the newborn bears and gives birth to the child for a person or a couple who then adopts or takes legal custody of the child.
Unaccompanied post: The Under Secretary for Management is responsible for designating as an unaccompanied post, those imminent danger areas at which family members are not authorized to reside, and from which family visitation travel may be authorized. Designations may change from time to time to reflect changing circumstances (see 3 FAM 3735.1).
3 FAM 3746 CATEGORIES OF AUTHORIZED EVT TRAVEL
3 FAM 3746.1 Medical Emergency Visitation Travel
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Medical EVT is reserved for those emergency situations in which an immediate family member of the employee or employee’s spouse, or domestic partner is seriously ill or injured and where death is imminent, i.e., expected within days.
b. Eligible travelers are limited to one round-trip for each serious illness, medical condition, or injury of each immediate family member. However, if the traveler returns to post from a medical EVT visit and the ill or injured immediate family member subsequently dies, death EVT may be requested and authorized in accordance with the provisions of 3 FAM 3744, subparagraph a(2).
c. The traveler may be eligible for a subsequent medical EVT if the immediate family member survives the emergency and faces imminent death due to another, unrelated medical emergency.
3 FAM 3746.2 Death Emergency Visitation Travel
(CT:PER-1183; 04-08-2024)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Death EVT may be authorized when:
(1) An immediate family member of the employee has died; or
(2) An immediate family member of the employee’s spouse or domestic partner has died; or
(3) An employee or an eligible family member residing at the post of assignment has died.
b. An employee, spouse or domestic partner, may be authorized one round-trip from post in case of death of their immediate family member (including siblings).
c. Only the individual directly related to the deceased may be authorized death EVT. However, in case of death of an employee or eligible family member stationed abroad (whether death occurs at post of assignment or elsewhere), one round-trip to the place of interment is allowable for the remaining eligible family members resident at post. Travel to a country other than the United States is cost-constructed (3 FAM 3749.1).
d. In keeping with the emergency nature of this benefit, travel should commence as soon as practical, upon notice that the immediate family member has died.
3 FAM 3746.3 Eldercare Emergency Visitation Travel
(CT:PER-1183; 04-08-2024)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Eldercare EVT: Reserved for those situations in which an employee, spouse, or domestic partner needs to assist a parent who has recently become temporarily or permanently incapacitated, and may not be able to continue living independently. Examples of circumstances in which eldercare EVT may be approved include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) The physical, emotional or mental condition of a parent has deteriorated to the extent that they may no longer be able to continue living independently;
(2) A parent may not be able to continue living independently either temporarily or permanently as a result of recent surgery, injury, or accident; or
(3) A parent must leave their living facility because they urgently require medical or other care that is not available at that facility.
b. Eldercare EVT limitations: Eldercare EVT may not exceed two round-trips for the employee and two round-trips for the spouse or domestic partner during the career abroad of the eligible employee. The employee, spouse or domestic partner, may choose to use both eldercare EVTs in connection with the needs of only one parent. For eldercare EVT only, an employee may designate the spouse or domestic partner to travel in their place or vice versa (see 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3746.1 for an example).
c. Death of parent being visited: If the parent dies after the employee, spouse or domestic partner commences eldercare EVT, but before the traveler returns to post, the eldercare EVT status remains unchanged. If the parent dies prior to the employee, spouse or domestic partner commencing eldercare travel, the eldercare EVT request must be revised to death EVT. In this situation, post would approve and fund the death EVT pursuant to 3 FAM 3746.2.
3 FAM 3746.4 Unusual Personal Hardship Emergency Visitation Travel
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
Unusual personal hardship (UPH) EVT is reserved for situations involving unusual circumstances, other than those provided for in 3 FAM 3744, subparagraphs a(1) through a(5). For State Department employees, GTM/ER evaluates requests on a case-by-case basis. Procedures for requesting UPH EVT are detailed in 3 FAH-1 H-3745.1.
3 FAM 3746.5 Unaccompanied Post Emergency Visitation Travel
(CT:PER-925; 09-24-2018)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Unaccompanied post EVT: Reserved for emergency situations in which an employee is seriously wounded or becomes critically ill at an unaccompanied post, and in which the employee is subsequently medevaced to another medical facility and where a family member’s and/or agent’s presence is determined to be medically required during the emergency period:
(1) The Foreign Service medical provider (FSMP) is responsible for making this determination;
(2) Post human resource officer (HRO) is responsible for requesting unaccompanied post EVT via emergency phone call to State’s Office of Casualty Assistance. See 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3741(2) for other foreign affairs agencies’ emergency offices; and
(3) State’s Office of Casualty Assistance (GTM/OCA) authorizes the unaccompanied post EVT request; contacts the family member(s) and/or agent; and arranges for transportation and per diem at U.S. Government expense from their home or current location to the bedside of the employee. See 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3741(2) for other agencies’ EVT authorizing and reporting offices.
b. Criteria for authorization of unaccompanied post EVT: Emergencies of this nature are major medical cases with serious implications. The injury or illness must either be seriously life threatening or have a high probability of resulting in a permanent life-changing condition. Subsequent treatment may potentially involve additional risk. A designated agent may serve as surrogate to an employee who has become medically incompetent; however, the FSMP may determine the presence of an agent to be medically required irrespective of whether an employee has become medically incompetent. The family member or agent may provide support to an employee whose condition has a choice of treatments, each with its own set of considerations or risks. The FSMP determines those medical and hardship emergencies in which the agent or family member’s presence is necessary at the bedside of the injured or ill employee for assistance as described, as well as for providing personal comfort and support.
c. Designation of agent, family member(s): The employee is responsible for designating emergency family members and/or agents prior to deployment. Contact information for designated emergency family members and/or agents will be placed on file in Department of State’s Employee Services Center (ESC) database. At the time of an emergency, the Operation Center will provide this information to GTM/OCA. If, at the time of medevac emergency, the employee asks that a family member or agent other than previously designated be authorized to travel, the request will be conveyed by the HRO in the initial emergency phone call to GTM/OCA.
d. Limitations on the number of travelers: The number of travelers may not exceed three unless the number of dependent children, as defined in 14 FAM 511.3, plus the spouse or domestic partner exceeds this limitation. State’s GTM/OCA will make a decision for additional travelers on a case-by-case basis. See 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3741(2) for other agencies’ EVT authorizing and reporting offices.
3 FAM 3746.6 New Child Emergency Visitation Travel
(CT:PER-1183; 04-08-2024)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. New Child EVT: A non-birth parent may be authorized to depart post to care for a spouse or domestic partner who is giving birth in another country; or non-birth parent(s) may depart post to receive a new child/children in another country who will join the family, through adoption, fostering, or surrogacy. New Child EVT acknowledges the significant personal hardship that Foreign Service families may face if they are unable to be present when a new child joins the family. Travel may be authorized under this section in connection with childbirth, adoption, fostering, or surrogacy regardless of whether the birth parent is on OB medevac travel orders. New Child EVT travelers are eligible for one round-trip ticket per birth or per instance of welcoming a new child through adoption, fostering, or surrogacy. There are no lifetime or yearly caps on the number of New Child EVTs a traveler may take. There are three types of New Child EVT:
(1) New Child EVT in Connection with OB Medevac: The birth parent departed post on OB medevac and the traveler is visiting the birth parent at the medevac location; or
(2) New Child EVT for Non-Medevac Births: The birth parent and non-birth parent are in different locations, and the birth parent is not on OB medevac travel orders. The New Child EVT traveler is visiting the birth parent at the birth location. Examples include but are not limited to: tandem couples where the birth parent is assigned domestically and the non-birth parent is assigned overseas, or a non-birth parent serving at an unaccompanied post visits the birth parent at the birth location; or a non-birth parent travels to the location of the adopted, fostered or surrogate child/children.
(3) New Child EVT for Adopted, Fostered, and Surrogate Children: The parent(s) and new child are in different locations. The New Child EVT traveler(s) will travel to receive and welcome a new child into the family, through adoption, fostering, or surrogacy.
b. New Child EVT travel limitations: The following provisions apply specifically to New Child EVTs:
(1) When traveling to receive a new child in the United States, New Child EVT provides for one round-trip ticket between post and the location of the child
(2) When traveling to receive a new child overseas, New Child EVT is cost-constructed against an authorized itinerary between post and Washington, DC (similar to 16 FAM 315.2 Travel for Obstetric Care).
c. Leave and work status: Employees on New Child EVT must either request leave during the EVT period per 3 FAM 3747, or make arrangements to perform work while away from post (e.g., telework, detail, training). Telework in a third country is not permitted.
d. New Child EVT in connection with OB Medevac: This type of New Child EVT is tied to OB medevac for childbirth. It may not be used in connection with earlier trips for 12 week or 20-week OB check-ups. New Child EVT may authorize the concurrent or non-concurrent travel of the non-birth parent to the OB medevac location, subject to the authorized travel provisions in subsection (a) above and regular Foreign Service travel provisions.
(1) Timing: Must begin during the OB medevac travel period;
(i.) Generally, New Child EVT traveler may depart post up to 45 days before the expected date of delivery and up to 45 days after date of delivery.
(ii.) New Child EVT traveler may return to post at any time, including outside the OB medevac travel period (example: if parents want to bond with baby at birth location after medevac period ends).
(2) Eligible travelers: employees assigned to or on long-term TDY at an overseas post and the EFM spouses or domestic partners (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of such employees.
(3) Authorization procedures when the New Child EVT is tied to an OB medevac:
(i.) After MED issues the OB delivery medevac travel cable, the non-birth parent must notify post HR and request post authorization prior to commencing New Child EVT travel.
ii.) Employee may request HR approval of the New Child EVT at the same time they choose to notify management about the OB medevac.
(iii.) Post HR is responsible for approving New Child EVTs (except for non-State employees, this is approved by the assigned agency). Prior to arranging travel, post HR must confirm that the non-birth parent is assigned to post (if employee) or on orders and residing at post (if EFM) and is thus eligible for EVT. No New Child EVT request cable is needed, although post must send a notification of travel cable as described in sub-paragraph (v).
(iv.) Post FMO must provide the fund cite in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2.
(v.) Posts must notify GTM/ER and MED Foreign Programs (MED FP) when the non-birth parent travels on New Child EVT via template cable (see 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3747.1).
e. New Child EVT for Non-Medevac Birth: May be authorized for eligible travelers in situations where a birth parent is giving birth in a location away from post and is not on OB medevac travel orders. Examples include, but are not limited to: tandem couples assigned to different posts where the birth parent is giving birth in their country of assignment; tandem couples where the birth parent is assigned in the U.S. and the non-birth parent is assigned overseas; or non-birth parent is assigned overseas, but the birth parent is living in another country and is not on orders (e.g., non-birth parent at unaccompanied post or birth parent is on separate maintenance allowance).
(1) Timing: Generally, New Child EVT traveler may depart post up to 45 days before expected date of delivery and up to 45 days after date of delivery;
(i.) Traveler may return to post at any time (example, if parents want to bond with baby at birth location).
(2) Eligible travelers: New Child EVT for non-medevac birth will only be authorized for employees and employee spouses or domestic partner (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) assigned overseas. In keeping with general EVT policy (3 FAM 3743(a)), New Child EVT will not be authorized for the following people:
(i.) Non-birth parent employees who are not assigned overseas;
(ii.) Non-birth parent employees who are in long-term training in DC;
(iii.) Non-birth parent EFM spouses or domestic partners who are not on an employee’s orders but are residing at post.
(3) Authorization procedures:
(i.) Upon a traveler’s request to travel under New Child EVT, post HR must determine traveler’s eligibility as described above and approve or disapprove the EVT request accordingly (except for non-State employees, this is approved by the assigned agency). If approved, post HR must send a Statement of New Child EVT travel to GTM/ER/WLD (see exhibit 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3747.1.
(ii.) Post HR may require that the traveler provide documentation verifying the birth parent’s expected delivery date, such as a doctor’s note.
f. New Child EVT for Adopted, Fostered, and Surrogate Children: This type of New Child EVT allows for travel of the non-birth parent(s) to depart post in order to receive a new child in another country who will join the family through adoption, fostering or surrogacy. It may not be used in connection with other trips associated with the adoption, foster, or surrogacy process.
(1) Timing: Travel may begin no earlier than 30 days prior to the date the non-birth parent(s) form a legal relationship with the new child;
(i.) New Child EVT traveler may return to post at any time. (example: if parents want to bond with the new child at the received location).
(2) Eligible travelers: employees assigned to or on long-term TDY at an overseas post and the EFM spouses or domestic partners (as defined in 3 FAM 1610) of such employees.
(3) Authorization procedures:
(i.) the non-birth parent must notify post HR and request post authorization prior to commencing New Child EVT travel.
(ii.) Employee may request post HR approval of the New Child EVT at the same time they choose to notify management about the request.
(iii.) Post HR is responsible for approving New Child EVTs (except for non-state employees, this is approved by the assigned agency). Prior to arranging travel, post HR must confirm that the non-birth parent is assigned to post (if employee) or on orders and residing at post (if EFM spouse or domestic partner) and is thus eligible for EVT. No New Child EVT request cable is needed, although post must send a notification of travel cable as described in sub-paragraph (v).
(iv.) Post FMO must provide the fund cite in accordance with 3 FAM 3749.2.
(v.) Posts must notify GTM/ER and MED Foreign Programs (MED FP) when the non-birth parent travels on New Child EVT via template cable (see 3 FAH-1 Exhibit H-3747.1).
g. A traveler’s use of New Child EVT does not preclude the traveler from subsequently taking a different kind of EVT following their return to post, if eligible.
(1) Example 1: Traveler returns to post on New Child EVT and birth parent remains at birth location. If birth parent subsequently becomes critically ill, traveler may return on MED EVT or UPH EVT, if qualifying.
(2) Example 2: Traveler returns to post on New Child EVT and birth parent remains at birth location. Birth parent subsequently passes away. Traveler may return on Death EVT.
h. Death of birth parent while traveler is on New Child EVT: If the birth parent dies during the New Child EVT and the traveler is still on New Child EVT, the traveler may remain at the location on New Child EVT and may not subsequently take a Death EVT trip.
(1) If the birth parent was an EFM or employee at post, any remaining EFMs at post may travel under Death EVT to the interment site.
3 FAM 3747 CHARGE TO LEAVE
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Consistent with 3 FAM 3463, employees are granted transit time while in travel status during EVT, i.e., they are not charged leave while traveling to and from the destination of emergency visitation travel. Travel status will be calculated up to a maximum amount of time, which equates to the most direct and usually traveled route from post of assignment to the place of emergency. The return trip to post is treated the same.
b. Time away from post (other than while in travel status) for emergency visitation is charged to annual leave, sick leave, compensatory time, or leave without pay, as appropriate. For information on using sick leave to care for an immediate family member or the maximum amount of sick leave that may be used, etc., see 3 FAM 3423 and 3 FAH-1 H-3424. For information on invoking the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), see 3 FAM 3530.
c. Employees traveling on New Child EVT may also be eligible to invoke their entitlement to FMLA leave and paid parental leave in accordance with 3 FAM 3530.
3 FAM 3748 Effect of Emergency Visitation Travel on Home Leave, Family Visitation Travel, and Post Differential
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Time spent in the United States delays date of home leave eligibility only if the employee has not already accumulated 12 or 18 months of continuous service abroad, as applicable, by the time EVT is initiated (see 3 FAM 3430 and 3 FAH-1 H-3430).
b. If an employee is eligible for family visitation travel, there must be a waiting period of at least 3 months following the employee’s return to post from emergency visitation travel before the employee may depart on family visitation travel to the same location. Exceptions to the waiting requirements may be made for valid reasons by principal officers and heads of Agriculture, USAGM, Commerce and USAID establishments abroad or their designees if post workload and scheduling considerations permit.
c. Post differential that was terminated during a period of absence from post, is re-instituted as of the date of return to the differential post (see Department of State Standardized Regulations [DSSR] 531.2).
3 FAM 3749 TRAVEL LIMITATIONS AND FUNDING
3 FAM 3749.1 Travel Limitations
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Direct travel: EVT must comply with applicable requirements in 14 FAM 580 and 14 FAM 585. The traveler’s authorized itinerary is the most direct, usually traveled and economical route between the post and the EVT location. If an employee is on TDY at the time EVT is authorized, the employee’s authorized itinerary is from the TDY location to the EVT location and back to the TDY location (if the employee will resume duties at that location) or from the TDY location to the EVT location and returning to the post of assignment (if the employee will not resume duties at the TDY location at the conclusion of the EVT). However, if the EVT destination is outside the United States, EVT will be cost-constructed as stated in paragraph d of this section.
b. Indirect travel: A traveler may engage in indirect travel (i.e. cost-construct) against the value of the authorized direct itinerary, but airfare costs in excess of the value of the direct itinerary must be paid by the traveler. The Fly America Act applies to indirect (cost-constructed) travel. Seat selection policy (SSP) is not authorized for cost constructed travel.
c. Fare Type: The employee’s post of assignment determines the authorized fare type (restricted or unrestricted) for EVTs commencing from that post.
d. Cost-constructed EVT outside the United States:
(1) In the event that the EVT destination is outside the United States, the traveler’s authorized itinerary, which is what appears on the travel authorization, is from the post to the employee’s service separation residence address and back to post. The employee will need to cost-construct (i.e. engage in indirect travel) against the value of the authorized itinerary (see 14 FAM 536.2-4).
(2) Employees are not required to cost-construct if the location of the person being visited is abroad due to the employee’s assignment abroad; for example, if the employee is on long-term TDY to an unaccompanied or partially unaccompanied post (see 3 FAM 3735.1) and an eligible family member experiences an emergency at the post of assignment (e.g., employee is on long-term TDY to Post A and EFM is safe-havened at Post B. Employee would be authorized round-trip direct travel from Post A to Post B).
(3) For New Child EVT travel for overseas births, New Child EVT is cost-constructed against an authorized itinerary between post and Washington, DC (similar to 16 FAM 315.2 Travel for Obstetric Care) as described in 3 FAM 3746.6(b)(2).
e. Reimbursement: Reimbursement may not exceed allowable transportation expenses actually incurred.
f. Class of service: Economy class is the authorized class of service for EVT. A traveler may, however, elect to cost-construct to actually use a class of service other than the one authorized. First-class and business-class accommodations are not authorized, regardless of trip length, unless the Medical Director approves a specific exception, under 14 FAM 523.2.
g. Carriers: U.S.-flag carriers are to be used under the conditions described in 14 FAM 580. Exceptions may be authorized, as appropriate, under 14 FAM 582. For USAID employees, see Automated Directives System (ADS) 523.
h. The following EVT expenses are authorized:
(1) Round-trip airfare;
(2) Mandatory airport taxes;
(3) Connecting transportation between airports; and
(4) Per 14 FAM 568.1, two pieces of checked luggage which weigh up to 50 lbs (23 kg) each
(5) Seat selection policy (SSP) may be authorized by the funding office (see 3 FAM 3749.2) under the provisions set forth in 14 FAM 567.2-1.
i. Unauthorized expenses: Excess baggage or unaccompanied baggage charges are not authorized. Except for unaccompanied post EVT, other expenses such as local transportation to and from the airport and per diem are not authorized.
3 FAM 3749.2 Funding
(CT:PER-1075; 01-13-2022)
(Uniform State/USDA/USAGM/Commerce/USAID)
(Applies to Foreign Service Employees)
a. Transportation costs for employees of the Department of State are funded as follows:
(1) Medical EVT, Death EVT, Unusual Personal Hardship, Unaccompanied post, and New Child EVT are funded at post using funds from the employing office/bureau;
(2) Eldercare EVT is centrally funded by GTM; and
b. Other agencies: Transportation costs for employees of the Department of Agriculture, USAGM, and USAID are paid by the employee’s agency using a fund citation provided to post. Costs for employees of the Department of Commerce are paid centrally.