Foreign Travel Information

Foreign Travel Reporting Driver is Security Executive Agent Directive 3 (SEAD3)

For many, foreign travel involves the usual steps such as planning the trip, making reservations and packing luggage. However, with global threats constantly evolving, personnel employed by the federal government who hold a security clearance have the added responsibility of being vigilant and protecting sensitive information crucial to the mission while avoiding potential personal harm. The new Security Executive Agent Directive 3 requires All covered individuals (individuals who have been found eligible for access to classified information regardless of whether or not the person has been indoctrinated and has access to classified national security information) must report ALL foreign travel. For USDA, the designed office for reporting foreign travel to is PDSD.

Prior to foreign travel, it is a requirement under SEAD3 that covered personnel report their travel, review travel advisories or attend a travel briefing if needed where they can receive information on counter-intelligence, force protection, anti-terrorism and what to do in case of emergencies on foreign soil. The briefings discuss current security trends, and the things we want people to watch for while they’re out and about. They also inform travelers on what situations they need to report when they come back, if anything reportable does happen. By making reporting foreign travel and briefings a requirement we can send our people out to enjoy the world with the most current information fresh in their minds.

Please note : U.S. government employees with a national security clearance are required to travel on their U.S. issued passports. Failure to use a U.S. passport when entering or exiting the U.S. is a security concern.

Have a Security Clearance and Traveling Abroad?

ALL foreign travel is required to be reported. Click here and complete this form at least 14 days prior to travel.
All travel should be considered approved from a security perspective once submitted. PDSD will contact the traveler if there is a concern with their travel destination.
Upon return from personal or official travel, please complete the Foreign Travel Debriefing Form and the other reporting requirements, if any of the following conditions apply or as appropriate.

(1) If you were questioned, searched, or otherwise detained (other than for normal customs requirements) by the local customs or security service officials when entering or leaving the foreign country;
(2) Involved in any encounter with police;
(3) Contacted by, or in contact with any person known or suspected of being involved or associated with foreign intelligence, terrorist, security, or military organizations;
(4) Involved in any counterintelligence or security issues not reported;
(5) Contacted by, or in contact with anyone exhibiting excessive knowledge of or undue interest in you or your job;
(6) Contacted by, or in contact with anyone attempting to obtain classified information or unclassified, sensitive information;
(7) If you were threatened, coerced, or pressured in any way to cooperate with a foreign government official or foreign intelligence or security service; and,
(8) If you established continuous contact with a foreign national as described under foreign contact.

• Forms should be sent to pdsd@dm.usda.gov or fax to 202-720-1689. Please do not transmit your forms through an unsecure network, only use networks you trust.

Employees are also encouraged to register in the Smart Traveler Program (STEP); STEP is a program that allows travelers to register their travel plans with the U.S. Department of State. The program sends users contact information for their nearest U.S. Embassy while notifying the U.S. embassies of American citizens within their areas. Another added benefit to the program is that it notifies users of suspected terrorist threats in their area, based on up-to-date intelligence.” STEP Video.

The Foreign Travel Resource Library is designed to provide you with links to the appropriate department, agency or site that will aide you in the initial requirements for your overseas travel requirements:

Travel Advisories and Useful Information:

Travel to High-Risk Areas: There are certain countries and areas where people are warned not to go. In these high-risk areas, the U.S Embassies, Consulates and State Department are limited in their ability to provide services. We want you to know the danger of traveling to high-risk places and to strongly consider not going to them at all. Traveling to high-risk locations puts your life, and possibly the lives of others, in jeopardy. Traveling to high-risk areas puts you at risk for kidnapping and hostage-taking – this should be a consideration before travel. Individuals traveling to High Risk areas may be contacted by PDSD for additional safety information and briefings.

State Department Rolls Out New Global Travel Alert System: The U.S. State Department on Wednesday (10 Jan 2018) rolled out a new system that seeks to clarify travel advisories for Americans abroad. The new system includes four levels of advisory - the first for "normal" conditions, the second for "increased caution," the third urging citizens to "reconsider travel" and a fourth with a "do not travel" warning.

Health:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

This link will take you to the CDC web page that will provide you with the latest information on vaccines, medicine and advice to support domestic and overseas travel.

World Health Organization

This link will take you directly to the World Health Organization International Travel and Health web page that will provide the latest updates and other links to national travel and health websites.

In The Event of Emergencies

USDA Operations Center: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 202-720-5711 or 877-677-2369 (877-OPP-CEN9)

To reach a recorded emergency information line (updated daily), call 800-932-1902. For TTY services, call 800-877-8339
Department of State Citizens Emergency Center Assistance to Travelers (for current travel advisories), 202-647-5225
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (for list of English-speaking doctors practicing in foreign countries), 716-754-4883
U.S. Customs 24-hour Emergency: 800-522-5220
Office of Overseas Citizens Services at 1-888-407-4747 (from overseas: 202-501-4444)
Department of Agriculture Counterintelligence Office at 202 205-2335 or CI@dm.usda.gov
Department of Agriculture Personnel & Document Security Division (PDSD), 202-720-7373 or PDSD@dm.usda.gov

Useful Links for Foreign Travel and Security:

Security Awareness Training Links and Videos:
FBI Law Enforcement Bulletin
Agro terrorism Threats to America’s Economy and Food Supply
FBI Private Industry Notification
Smart Farming May Increase Cyber Targeting Against US Food and Agriculture Sector
Counterintelligence & FBI Brochure:
Foreign Travel Brief
Agricultural Economic Espionage - A Growing Threat
Safety and Security for the Business Professional Traveling Abroad
Intellectual Property Protection: Safeguard Your Company's Trade Secrets, Proprietary Information, and Research
Elicitation Techniques
Espionage Brochure
Recruitment Brochure
Internet Social Networking Risks
Counterintelligence News
National Counterintelligence and Security Center (NCSC):
Training Videos
YouTube Video:
The Company Man: Protecting America’s Secrets
Focus on Security June 2017 Travel Cyber Security
Customer Service Notification: International Travel Service Request

Other:

Washington Area Airports:

Reagan National Airport: http://www.flyreagan.com/dca/reagan-national-airport
Dulles International Airport: http://www.flyreagan.com/dca/reagan-national-airport
Baltimore Washington International Airport: http://www.flyreagan.com/dca/reagan-national-airport

Currency Converters:

http://www.xe.com/
https://www.oanda.com/

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