Because of a lapse in government funding, the information on this website may not be up to date, transactions submitted via the website may not be processed, and the agency may not be able to respond to inquiries until appropriations are enacted. The NIH Clinical Center (the research hospital of NIH) is open. For more details about its operating status, please visit cc.nih.gov. Updates regarding government operating status and resumption of normal operations can be found at opm.gov.

NIH Personnel Mandatory Training for Temporary Duty Travel for 30 Days or More

Page updated: February 5, 2021

To comply with U.S. Department of State security guidelines, NIH personnel who request country clearance at an overseas location to perform extended temporary duty for 30 days or more must complete mandatory training prior to travel.

This requirement applies to all NIH personnel (FTEs and non-FTEs; U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens). Arrangements to comply with the training requirement must be noted in the Notification of Foreign Travel (NFT) (i.e., date(s), course(s) completed or registered). The training will be valid for five years.

In addition, travel to some countries and regions may require additional training to meet State Department requirements.

Training Courses

Serving Abroad for Families and Employees (SAFE) Course
The Department of State's Foreign Service Institute (FSI) in Arlington, Virginia, provides the SAFE course, offered in two modules/courses, detailed below. To register, the FSI requires a completed OPM Standard Form SF-182. NIH's agency location code is 75080031.

Security Overseas Seminar - MQ911 - A two-day classroom course. Tuition is $585 for FY 2021.
Introduction to Working in an Embassy - PN113 - Available throughout the year, this online training covers safety and security issues overseas and the structure and mission of the U.S. embassies and consulates. Tuition is $80 for FY 2021.
General course and registration information from the Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Security Training.

Promoting International Religious Freedom (HHS Learning Portal, 00212762)
Executive Order 13926 requires staff deploying overseas to one location for more than 30 days to complete this training before the start of their overseas assignment.
Foreign Affairs Counter Threat (FACT) Course
This course is also required if travel will be for more than 90 cumulative days within a 12-month period.

Contact

Questions or concerns on NIH foreign travel? Please contact:

Passport/Visa Office at Fogarty International Center
Phone: (301) 827-5555
Email: FICVPO@mail.nih.gov

Page updated: February 5, 2021