Title 22, Foreign Relations and IntercourseRelease 119-102
§2699 Employment Opportunities for Family Members
Title 22 › CHAPTER 38 — DEPARTMENT OF STATE › § 2699
Summary
The Secretary of State must try to make agreements with other countries so family members of U.S. government staff posted abroad can work there. Family members of Foreign Service employees may take paid jobs overseas unless the work would break U.S. or host-country law, or the U.S. chief of mission (the top U.S. official at the embassy) puts in writing that 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
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102