Title 22 — Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-73
§2699 Employment opportunities for family members
Title 22 › Chapter CHAPTER 38— - DEPARTMENT OF STATE › § 2699
Summary
Require the Secretary of State to try to make bilateral and multilateral agreements that help family members of U.S. government staff working overseas get jobs in the countries where they live. Allow family members of Foreign Service employees to take paid work abroad unless the job would break the laws of that country or the United States, or the top U.S. diplomat in that country sends a written statement saying the job could harm U.S. interests.
Full Legal Text
Title 22, §2699
Foreign Relations and Intercourse — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In order to expand employment opportunities for family members of United States Government personnel assigned abroad, the Secretary of State shall seek to conclude such bilateral and multilateral agreements as will facilitate the employment of such family members in foreign economies.
(b)Any member of a family of a member of the Foreign Service may accept gainful employment in a foreign country unless such employment—
(1)would violate any law of such country or of the United States; or
(2)could, as certified in writing by the United States chief of mission to such country, damage the interests of the United States.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Feb. 15, 1981, except as otherwise provided, see section 2403 of Pub. L. 96–465, set out as a note under section 3901 of this title.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
22 U.S.C. § 2699
Title 22 — Foreign Relations and Intercourse
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73