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Intermational Services

The Visa/Passport Office

Updated July 2002

Fogarty International Center (FIC), processes applications for official and diplomatic passports and visas for employees of the NIH and other DHHS agencies.

In general, when applying for an official passport, the following must be provided to the Visa/Passport Office:

* Application for Passport (DSP-11), completed except for signature

* Two photographs, taken within the last six months, measuring 2x2 inches on a light background

* Picture identification, such as a driver's license

* Proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate with an embossed seal or original naturalization papers

* Legal documentation of name change, i.e. a marriage certificate, if the name of the applicant is different from that on the birth certificate or naturalization papers

* Dates, destination, and purpose of proposed travel

* Applicant's title, grade, or CO level

The applicant must appear in person at the Visa/Passport Office. If the applicant already has a passport (personal or official) which was issued within the last 12 years, he or she may apply for a passport using Form DSP-82. In this case, the expired passport may be used as proof of citizenship and the applicant need not appear in person at the Visa/Passport Office.

The requirements for obtaining visas are specific for each country and subject to frequent changes. Therefore, it is recommended that travelers contact the Visa/Passport Office several weeks in advance of each trip to request application forms and other instructions.

Questions concerning passports and visas may be directed to the Visa/Passport Office:

Visa/Passport office
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C08, MSC 2220
Telephone: 496-3441
Fax: 402-1135

Information useful for international travelers can be found at:

The Universal Currency Converter

U.S. Department of State Foreign Per Diem Rates

The CIA World Factbook

U.S. State Department - Services - Travel Warnings & Consular Information Sheets

The World Clock 

Notification of International Travel by NIH Employees

All NIH employees planning to travel abroad on official Government business must submit a Notification of International Travel (see attached format) to the Fogarty International Center for transmittal and approval through designated Departmental channels. The Notification is required for all official international travel regardless of the source of funding for the travel.

Upon receipt of a Notification of International Travel, staff of the Visa/Passport Office prepare a cable requesting clearance from the American embassy of the country to be visited. For most countries, the traveler may assume that clearance will be granted. However, in those countries that are politically sensitive or where American citizens may be in danger because of terrorism or crime, the traveler should not depart until informed by the Visa/Passport Office that a positive response has been received from the American embassy.

Notifications must be received by the FIC at least three weeks prior to travel to allow time for review by DHHS officials and for the cables requesting clearance to be sent. Travelers are urged to fax their Notifications to the Visa/Passport, FIC, as soon as they begin to make travel plans rather than waiting until IC or OD approvals are obtained. If the travel is later disapproved or canceled, the Visa/Passport Office can be notified by telephone of fax.

Questions concerning Notifications of International Travel may be directed to the Visa/Passport Office:

Visa/Passport Office
Fogarty International Center
Building 31, Room B2C08, MSC 2220
Telephone: 301-496-3441
Fax: 301-402-1135

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Notification of International Travel form

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We welcome your questions and comments about FIC and its research programs. Please send e-mail inquiries to the Office of Communications. Telephone: 301-496-2075 Fax: 301-594-1211.
Office of Communications • Fogarty International Center • National Institutes of Health
Building 31, Room B2C29 • 31 CENTER DR MSC 2220
Bethesda, MD 20892-2220
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