Visa application information for most TDY travelers avaliable from the International Travel Office.

TCS/PCS

If you are moving (PCS/TCS) overseas you probably need an Embassy-sponsored Visa. This requires working with the International Travel Office, JSC Expatriate Manager, and HQ/Code I.

The first thing you should do is complete the Russian visa application. You can give this to either the JSC Visa Office, or the HR/Expat. Mgr. to forward to HQ/Code I. The HR/Expat. Mgr. will also prepare and send to HQ/Code I a copy of your SF 50, a copy of your PCS/TCS travel orders, and a brief description of your new duties.

Code I will prepare a draft assignment cable. The assignment cable is the means to obtain approval from the DoS and the Embassy for you to go to your foreign assignment and obtain an Embassy-sponsored visa.

Information required for the assignment cable:

• Formal name
• Type of assignment: PCS or TCS
• Length of assignment dates
• Brief PD description & position number they will encumber
• TS Security Clearance 346 Form
• U.S. Dept. of State Medical Clearance Information
• SSN
• Diplomatic Passport Number
• Expiration Date
• DOB/POB
• Housing Information
• If family accompanying individual: Need passport data on them.

The draft assignment cable is emailed by Code I to the DoS (OES/O/SAT) who, in turn, prepares the official cable and sends to the Embassy, who, in turn, prepares a cable which states they approve the assignment and welcomes you to Post.

Embassy cable provides the following info:

• Welcomes to Post
• Grants country clearance for length of assignment
• Check-in procedures
• Passport registration procedures
• State Dept. medical clearance information for use of Embassy medical unit.
• Housing confirmation

The Embassy cable is sent back to DoS who, in turn, copies Code I. Code I takes the Embassy cable along with the official assignment cable and a cover letter to the Diplomatic Travel Branch to the DoS. The cover letter, prepared by Code I, includes a brief statement of the type of assignment, the dates of the assignment, and the Code I point of contact.

The Diplomatic Travel Branch at DoS office takes the two cables along with your visa application to the foreign Consulate to secure an embassy-sponsored visa. A foreign Consulate can take anywhere from 6-10 days to complete an embassy-sponsored visa.

Code I will notify you and HR/Expat. Mgr. when the visa is completed.