§2735 Foreign Relations Exchange Programs

Summary

The Secretary can set up exchange programs that let State Department officers and employees, including people hired under title 5 and members of the Foreign Service, be assigned to a job with a foreign government or an international organization for up to 1 year, if that government or organization allows such assignments. A Foreign Service member on exchange keeps the salary and benefits they would have had otherwise. Other State Department employees are treated the same as if detailed to an international organization under section 3343(c) of title 5. Employees sent from a foreign government or international organization must be paid by their employer while on the exchange, and the Department of State will not reimburse that pay. The Secretary can also approve one-way assignments (no swap) and can require or waive reimbursement for all or part of salary and other costs if it serves U.S. interests. The law does not allow hiring someone whose allegiance is to another country, or anyone who does not meet the eligibility rules in sections 3331, 3332, 3333, and 7311 of title 5.