§2735 Foreign relations exchange programs

Summary

The Secretary of State can create exchange programs that let Department of State officers and employees, including certain title 5 appointees and members of the Foreign Service (see section 3903), be assigned for not more than 1 year to jobs with foreign governments or international organizations that allow assignments to the State Department. A Foreign Service member on such an exchange keeps the pay and benefits they would have had. Other State employees are treated as if detailed to an international organization under section 3343(c) of title 5. Foreign government or international organization employees must be paid by their own employer and the State Department will not reimburse them. The Secretary may allow non‑reciprocal assignments, with or without reimbursement, if it serves U.S. interests. No one may be made a U.S. officer or employee if they owe allegiance to another country or do not meet the eligibility rules in sections 3331, 3332, 3333, and 7311 of title 5.