Emergency Visitation Travel (EVT)

What is EVT? Emergency Visitation Travel (EVT) allows eligible employees and/or family member(s) at an overseas permanent duty station to travel at Government expense in certain situations of family emergency.

Who is eligible? Employees who have a signed transportation agreement.

Who may travel? Either the employee or a member of the employee’s household who is on the employee’s orders. Only one ticket is normally authorized under EVT, although in some special circumstances, additional tickets may be authorized.

What is covered? Airfare only from the permanent duty station to the authorized EVT location. No transportation to/from airport to the employee’s home or destination is authorized. In cases where transfer between airports is required en route, taxi cost is covered. No other travel costs are covered.

In what circumstances may an employee qualify for EVT?

1) Serious illness or injury of an immediate family member in the US.

2) Death of an immediate family member.

3) Incapacitation of employee’s parent or employee’s parents-in-law in the US. (Effective May 4, 2006)

What documentation is required?

1) For travel related to a serious illness, serious injury, or death of a family member, the Principal must receive a message from the Red Cross which contains enough specific information about the injured/ill family member’s medical condition to authorize EVT. Serious illness or injury is defined by the regulation as being one from which death is imminent or likely to occur within 6 months.

2) For travel related to incapacitated parents, the Agency must receive adequate medical documentation demonstrating that the parent’s medical condition requires a change to their current living situation. Additionally, employees must identify parents for whom they will be taking EVT trips.

Are there limitations on the number of EVT trips I can take?

1) For EVT related to ill or injured family members, employees are limited to one trip per illness or injury. If an employee takes EVT to visit an ill or injured family member and the family member subsequently dies, the employee is entitled to an EVT trip to return for the funeral.

2) For EVT related to incapacitated parents, each employee is entitled to two (2) trips during their lifetime. Eligible employee’s spouses are also entitled to two (2) trips during their lifetime.

Can I buy my own ticket and be reimbursed later? EVT authorizes travel at government expense, on funded travel orders. If an employee chooses to purchase their own ticket prior to receiving orders, they will only be reimbursed to the maximum cost that the government would have incurred had the tickets been purchased through SATO. Reimbursement for self-procured tickets must be made within 30 days after the employee’s return to the permanent duty station. Self-procured tickets must be on US flag carriers in order to be reimbursed.

Where can I get more information about EVT?

1) Your principal is your primary source to assist you with any questions you have about EVT.

2) The complete regulation related to EVT can be found in the Joint Travel Regulation (JTR), Chapter 6, Part O. The JTR can be located on the internet at: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/Docs/perdiem/JTR.pdf

Updated: 12/16/2019