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Bidding, Travel, and Moving
BIDDING
- Hardship Differential Posts
- Post Info to Go (PITG): Research tool specifically designed to assist foreign affairs employees and their family members in the bidding and assignment process. Managed by the Overseas Briefing Center. Here’s how to access it: – If you have an OpenNet account, PITG is available online on the OBC OpenNet and GO Browser . – If you don’t have access to OpenNet, email PostInfotoGoExternal@state.gov to request access to Post Info to Go external, a password-protected website for family members and FSOs.
- Tales from a Small Planet: Anonymous “Real Post Reports” and “Real School Reports” from cities all over the world, mainly written by Foreign Service community members.
RESEARCHING OVERSEAS SCHOOLS
- AFSA School Lists and Education Articles Archive
- Education Allowances
- International Schools Review
- Office of Overseas Schools (OOS)
- Regional Education Officers
- Tales from a Small Planet Real School Reports
RESEARCHING HEALTH OVERSEAS
MOVING
GENERAL
- Book: Realities of Foreign Service Life Vol. 1
- Book: Realities of Foreign Service Life Vol. 2
- Book: The Foreign Service Companion: Moving Your Household Without Losing Your Mind
- HHE & UAB Allowances
- Packing to Go Guide: How to pack a bag to go or stay.
- PCS Advice and Links from the U.S. military community
- State Department - It's Your Move
- State Department Office of Logistics Management
- Transition Center (TC), Foreign Service Institute
CONSUMABLES
ALLOWANCES
- Allowances for Transition
- Office of Allowances
- Shopping and Shipping Consumables
- Tips from Hardship Homemaking blog
MOVING INSURANCE
MOVING WITH PETS
- AFSA List of Pet Resources (members only)
- Hardship Homemaking blog Pets Posts
- OBC Post Info to Go Resources on Moving with Pets
- Pet Certification Requirements
- Pet Shipping Tips
- Pets and International Travel
NOTE: Airline requirements are constantly changing; contact the Overseas Briefing Center at fsiobcinfocenter@state.gov for updated information.
TRAVEL
- FAM Regulations
- Hardship Homemaking blog Travel Tips
- Per Diem Regulations
- State Department Travel Advisories
UNACCOMPANIED TOUR RESOURCES AND SUPPORT
GENERAL EXPAT RESOURCES
- Career in Your Suitcase: Books and information for expats, especially spouses/partners.
- Families in Global Transition: Yearly conferences and information sharing for expat families and those who serve them.
- Interchange Institute: Non-profit researching expat issues and offering cross-cultural training.
- Permits Foundation: A non-profit working to improve work permit opportunities for expat spouses/partners, including a list of permit info by country.
- Reports on Family Member Employment and Childcare by Post: Check OpenNet (employees) or email the Overseas Briefing Center at FSIOBCInfoCenter@state.gov. Only available to employees.
- State Department Country Information and Bidding Resources
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND ABUSE GUIDANCE FROM GCLO
Domestic violence, also known as intimate partner violence, is a pattern of behaviors used by one partner to gain or maintain power and control over another in an intimate relationship and can manifest in many different ways. If you feel unsafe at post due to domestic violence concerns, please contact the Regional Security Officer, Family Advocacy Officer (FAO), and/or the Health Unit. In an emergency, call Post One for assistance.
If you have concerns about domestic violence occurring at post, please reach out to the FAO (3 FAM 1815). The FAO is normally the deputy chief of mission (DCM), or the second-in-command at posts where there is no DCM (3 FAM 1812.3-1). For additional resources and information, visit GCLO’s Domestic Violence and Abuse webpage or email GCLOAskSupportServices@state.gov.
For more resources see AAFSW's Spouses in Transition page.