FAQ'S

I AM GOING ON OFFICIAL TRAVEL FOR NOAA, DO I NEED A PASSPORT? Yes, Per NOAA Travel regulations 306-5.2 “All NOAA employees traveling to a foreign location on official business must obtain an official passport and official visas, if required, before leaving the United States” (reference section 4, Official Passports). Travelers may not use personal passports for official travel.

HOW CAN I APPLY FOR A NEW OFFICIAL PASSPORT? You may apply for a new passport by filling out a passport application form along with two 2x2 photos and submit to

WHO WILL PAY FOR MY OFFICIAL PASSPORT? NMFS will pay for your official passport, this passport is NOAA property and must be surrendered upon permanent departure from NOAA.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO OBTAIN AN OFFICIAL PASSPORT? It takes 4-6 weeks to process the application so please allow sufficient time for processing.

WHAT IS HTSOS/FACT TRAINING? High Threat Security Overseas Seminar (HTSOS) training is required for all TDY employees with travel fewer than 45 cumulative days in a calendar year at any one or combination of FACT-mandatory posts. High Threat Security Overseas Seminar is considered valid for five years. The cost for HTSOS training is $80.00.

FACT is required for all TDY employees who are on official travel of 45 or more cumulative days in a calendar year at any one or combination of FACT-mandatory posts.

HOW DO I SIGN UP FOR HTSOS TRAINING? Send training request on SF 82 training request form (link below) to FSIRegistrarH T401@state.gov High Threat Security Overseas Seminar is considered valid for five years. The cost for HTSOS training is $80.00.

HOW CAN I FIND OUT IF A VISA IS REQUIRED FOR MY UPCOMING FOREIGN TRIP? Click the Visa link above to determine if your destination country requires a Visa.