This is an unofficial guide based on student experiences. For the most authoritative, up-to-date information, see the official orientation website.
A non-local hire is someone hired from an address outside a 50-mile direct line radius from the Washington Monument.
It’s Your Move is the Department of State's official guide to international and domestic moves. More information about domestic travel (including luggage and seat selection allowances) can be found here (latest 2023 version).
Still have questions? E-mail TransportationQuery@state.gov
Note: During orientation, you will have the chance to learn more about the nuances of traveling to post.
Ahead of orientation, you will receive an appointment order (also known as a travel authorization) from the Bureau of Global Talent Management Executive Office (GTM/EX) that contains all of your travel allowances and transportation entitlements and provides the required funding for your assignment to D.C. for training. You may not receive this document until a few weeks before your scheduled travel day. While you need your travel orders to finalize many steps in the moving process, you can start some of these processes before you receive your travel orders.
We recommend you review this document carefully to ensure all of your eligible family members (EFMs) are listed and that all of your entitlements and allowances are correct. If you have questions, concerns, or corrections, contact PCS (Permanent Change of Station) Customer Support at GTM-EX-IDSD@state.gov.
Pro Tip: Review the "Understanding your Travel Authorization" information on the official orientation website so that the various entitlements and allowances are clear.
Even before you have received your official orders, we recommend you contact TransportationQuery@state.gov to schedule a pack-out of your UAB (unaccompanied air baggage) and HHE (household effects) as soon as possible. Detailed information about UAB and HHE and how to plan for pack-out day is in It's Your Move (latest 2023 version). You will need your travel orders to confirm the final pack-out details but can schedule your pack-out date. Your moving company may request a pre-screening call where you will discuss the details of the items you are moving.
If you are being hired from a location overseas, you will have to wait until after you have received your orders to schedule your pack-out. Instead of working with Transportation in D.C., you will work with the Human Resources Officer (HRO) or General Services Officer (GSO) at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to make arrangements.
Pro Tips!
Keep your UAB and HHE pack-out documentation, including the first and last pages and the inventory list.
You will receive your UAB after you arrive in D.C. for training. You may need to reach out to your DOS pack-out point of contact (POC) to receive information on how to schedule your UAB delivery. Your HHE will remain in storage until you travel to your first post.
Review suggested steps for managing your move here!
You will have an opportunity to learn more about and meet with companies during orientation who specialize in how to best protect and insure your goods during transit and once you are at post, including your POV, UAB, and HHE. We suggest you take advantage of these meetings to learn about what is offered and what works best for your individual needs and circumstances.
Bicycles generally do not fit in UAB unless they fold or are disassembled, but as the saying goes, "if it fits, it ships!"
Prior to departing from your “point-of-hire” (as noted on your travel orders) you and your eligible family members (EFMs) may be eligible to receive up to 10 days of lodging and M&IE reimbursement for expenses made after packing household effects (HHE) out of your residence. Pre-departure MUST be authorized on your orders.
Please reach out to GTM for more information on the pre-departure allowance if you have questions regarding your travel orders.
Note: DS and those hired from points outside the United States are not eligible for pre-departure expense reimbursement.
Air travel for domestic non-local hires must be arranged and ticketed by a Department travel agent. You should receive appropriate contact information for the Department's travel agency in your final "Entrance on Duty" letter. You can also call the Department’s travel agency CWT Sato (866-654-5593) to reserve your tickets before you receive your travel orders. Once you have your travel orders, you will e-mail them at DOSTA@cwtsato.com to receive your tickets. Be sure to check your airline's baggage allowance - if they only allow one checked bag, you will only be reimbursed for one.
Travel to D.C. by privately owned vehicle (POV) will be reimbursed based on the distance you travel to D.C. (mileage) and for lodging. More information about domestic travel can be found in It's Your Move (latest 2023 version).
If you are being hired from a location overseas, you will work with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate to arrange and ticket your travel to D.C. More information about international travel can be found in It's Your Move (latest 2023 version).
The National Cherry Blossom Festival will be held in DC from March 23rd to April 15th, 2025. Keep this in mind when your friends and/or family are planning their stays.
If you are a non-local hire, you have access to the Department's PCS Lodging Program (Facebook page). If you are interested in participating, we recommend you notify GTMPCSLODGING@state.gov as soon as possible to register. GTM PCS Lodging will provide more information about the housing vendors and provide information on how to contact your preferred vendor.
DO NOT contact the provider directly via their booking form or e-mail address to reserve a location. GTM PCS Lodging must authorize your stay and enroll you in the program first. They will put you in contact with the provider you prefer. Additional information about housing options near FSI is available on the official orientation website and the State Department website. Keep in mind, the only shuttle to FSI from the DC area leaves from Main State (HST). You can also reach out to members of the previous class via the WhatsApp channels if you have questions about the pros and cons of various neighborhoods.
Note: If you participate in the program, please ensure that it is included on your travel orders.
Travel with pets can be complicated, especially internationally. We recommend you start your research and begin preparations as early as possible. See It's Your Move (latest 2023 version) for more information.
You can request reimbursement of your travel expenses after you receive your first paycheck (typically about 4-6 weeks after your entry on duty/first day of orientation). Before that time, there will be an entire orientation session dedicated to vouchers and reimbursement.
Pro Tip!
Keep track of the following receipts during your travel to orientation:
Hotel receipts (must include your name, date/dates of stay, and a breakdown of room rates and taxes)
Airline itinerary and boarding passes
Receipts for checked bags paid out of pocket (generally up to two bags per person listed on your travel authorization)
Note: You do not need to save gas or toll receipts. Taxi/Uber/Lyft receipts are not required unless you spend more than $75.
As a non-local hire, you will receive per diem for lodging and MI&E (meals and incidentals). You will file for your first 30 day per diem voucher after you receive your first paycheck (typically about 4-6 weeks after your entry on duty/first day of orientation). A recording of a previous orientation session dedicated to vouchers and reimbursement will be provided in your digital course materials.
Link to CONUS Per Diem Information
Note: You do not need to keep receipts unless you are paying for your own lodging outside the PCS lodging program.
Following orientation, you will have additional training outside of the D.C. area. During that period, housing for family is not authorized. As such, many special agent candidates decide not to move their families to the Washington area for orientation.