| Foreign travel is defined as travel to, between, or within
countries 'outside' the United States and its territories and possessions,
including Canada and Mexico. Canada is always considered Domestic travel.
All foreign travel will be reimbursed using Federal Foreign Travel
Reimbursement Rates (OCONUS).
For travel outside the U.S. travelers should
check the entry requirements for the specific country to which they are
traveling. This information is available on the U.S. Department of
State web site at
http://travel.state.gov/
The foreign travel process is almost identical
to the process for domestic travel. The same travel forms (i.e.
Travel Authorization Form)
are used for foreign travel as are for domestic travel. Some additional
miscellaneous expenses that are reimbursed by ISU for foreign travel are
passports, immunizations, and currency exchange charges.
Grantees of federal
funds must abide by the guidelines of the Fly America Act that is
instructed in FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulations) 47.402 requiring “…
the use of United States Flag carriers for U.S. Government – financed
international air travel and transportation of their personal effects or
property, to the extent service by these carriers is available.” To
decide if availability or non-availability exists the U.S. flag carrier
cannot provide the international air transportation needed or if the use
of U.S. flag air carrier service would not
accomplish an agency’s mission, foreign flag air carrier may be deemed
necessary.
Most federally funded
grants require all persons traveling under federal grants must travel by
United States-flag carriers.
Travel
Cash Advances
are allowed for foreign travel. Any money the University gives you in
advance, or after your trip will be paid in U.S. currency. You are
responsible for exchanging those dollars for the currency of the foreign
country you visit. Keep track of the exchange rates you receive as you
travel, (e.g., from Thomas Cook, a bank, hotel receipts, your notes on
meal receipts, or even your AMEX bill). Complete your
Travel
Reimbursement Request
(TRR) when you return and document the source for the exchange rates.
The
Oanda 164 Currency Converter
is a terrific resource, which converts
currencies from today back to
1/1/90.
Another source of rates is the "World Value of the Dollar" in each Monday
edition of the Wall Street Journal.
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