VZCZCXRO5229
OO RUEHIK
DE RUEHC #2461/01 3032138
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
O 302117Z OCT 09
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RUEHTRO/AMEMBASSY TRIPOLI IMMEDIATE 0587
RUEHRY/AMEMBASSY CONAKRY IMMEDIATE 2141

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 112461 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: MGMT ASEC AFIN APER
SUBJECT: COUNTRY CLEARANCE REQUIRED FOR TRAVEL TO 
AFGHANISTAN 
 
Ref: A. EXECUTIVE SECRETARIAT MEMORANDUM 200919301 
      ¶B. STATE 1015191 
 
STATE 00112461  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1.  Summary.  All USG travelers to Afghanistan who 
will serve under Chief of Mission authority must 
have approved Electronic Country Clearance (eCC) 
before their arrival at post.  The eCC Request must 
be made at least ten days before arrival, and must 
confirm that required training has been completed. 
These rules apply to travelers from all Federal 
agencies, whether on permanent change of station 
(PCS) or TDY assignments.   Visitors without 
approved Country Clearance must leave on the next 
available transport.   The State Department's 
Orientation and In-Processing Center (OIP) will 
assist travelers from all Federal agencies with 
their eCC requests.   End Summary. 
 
¶2.  Working and living accommodations at Embassy 
Kabul remain at capacity levels.  There are 
literally no spare beds or desks available.  In 
order to manage the high volume of arrivals, it is 
essential that all travelers request and receive 
advance Electronic Country Clearance (eCC).  The eCC 
request enables the Mission to focus immediately on 
the purpose and timing of the visit, and to 
determine if appropriate accommodations are 
available. 
 
¶3.  The State Department Orientation & In-Processing 
Center (OIP) serves as the unique point of contact 
for all Afghanistan eCC requests from travelers of 
all agencies.  Country clearance requests may be 
submitted through OIP as follows: 
- Those with access to State OpenNet may go to 
ecc.state.gov and complete a Country Clearance form 
for Afghanistan, which will be automatically 
transmitted to OIP. 
- Those without access to State OpenNet may request 
a paper copy of the Afghanistan Country Clearance 
form from OIPAfghanistanOrientation@state.gov.  It 
should be completed and submitted to OIP per the 
instructions on the form. 
 
¶4.  The country clearance request must include the 
following information: 
- Point of Contact for TDY visitors:   A control 
officer at post must confirm that the TDY travel is 
essential. 
- Mandatory Training: 
a.      Employees assigned to, or visiting, Embassy 
Kabul for more than 29 cumulative days in 
any 365 day period must include the dates 
they completed the required security and 
orientation training (RS415 and OT610) at 
the Foreign Service Institute. 
b.      Those assigned to field positions, 
including Provincial Reconstruction Teams, 
must state completion dates for required 
field training (AR421 and RS510) in 
addition to(a)above. 
c.      If waivers for mandatory training have been 
received in accordance with ref B 
guidelines, the required authority must be 
cited. 
- Meetings:  Visitors must list any requested 
meetings, with either host government or Mission 
officers. 
 
¶5. If the control officer confirms that a travel 
request is valid, the Assistant Chief of Mission 
will adjudicate country clearance requests that 
include high level meetings; the Management 
Counselor or designee will adjudicate all other 
requests.  After conditional approval is given, the 
Housing Office must confirm that a bed is available. 
Assigned personnel receive the highest priority for 
beds.  If no suitable accommodations are available, 
the visit must be cancelled or re-scheduled. 
 
¶6. Post normally will deny any TDY eCC request 
received less than 10 days before the planned 
arrival.  TDY travelers who arrive without an 
approved eCC must depart by the next available 
flight. 
 
 
STATE 00112461  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶7. Please contact OIP at 
OIPAfghanistanOrientation@state.gov with any 
questions. 
 
¶8. Minimize Considered 
CLINTON