OIA Passport and Visa Division

The Passport and Visa Division of the Office of International Affairs (INT) at the U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) assists employees in obtaining official passports and visas required for undertaking international travel on behalf of the U.S. government. The Division coordinates with foreign embassies and the Department of State to ensure that DOI employees have all the necessary documents to successfully complete their travel. Additionally, in conformance with Department of State policy and guidance, the INT Passport and Visa Division securely maintains and stores official passports until needed for official foreign travel. (Note: Employees at the Bureau of Reclamation and USGS are assisted by passport agents in their own bureaus. All other DOI employees are supported by the INT Passports and Visas Division.)

Official Passport Requirement: Please be aware that both DOI and State Department policy require that DOI employees use an official passport when undertaking international travel because it signifies that the bearer is traveling abroad on official government business. In an emergency or crisis situation, a government employee carrying an official passport will receive quicker access and priority treatment from both the U.S. embassy and the foreign government. 

If you are a new employee or have transferred from another agency and need our office to retrieve your official passport, please fill out our online DOI Request for Official Passport: New or Renewal. Once you have completed the form you will be notified with the next set of instructions. *You do not have to have firm travel dates to fill out the online Request form.

Passport and Visa Application Information: To obtain a passport (new/renewal), please complete the online DOI Request for Official Passport: New or Renewal form as soon as you know you will need to travel (to all countries, including Canada and Mexico). Alternatively, you may make an appointment for an in-person or phone consultation using the below icons. Please note that it will take at least 8-12 weeks to obtain an official passport from the Department of State, and up to three or more weeks to obtain each visa from foreign governments. 

Instructions:

1) Provide the information requested on the DOI Request for Official Passport: New or Renewal form (to obtain a passport) and fill out the information requested on the DI-1175 form (for all travel), at least eight weeks prior to the departure date. You do not need a DI-1175 to start the process of obtaining a passport.

2) Within two business days, the INT Passport and Visa Division will provide the traveler with the necessary guidance and instructions to apply for an official passport and/or visa, based on the traveler’s employment status and destination(s), among other factors.

Please note:

• Travelers seeking to obtain official passports will need to submit a current SF-50 and two passport photos with their application.  Detailed instructions will be emailed once we receive the DOI Request for Official Passport: New or Renewal form or see a draft/submitted DI-1175 indicating that you need a passport.
• It may take six to eight weeks to obtain an official passport and up to three or more weeks for each visa once all completed applications are submitted by the traveler to the INT Passports and Visas Division.
• Any completed applications submitted less than 60 days before departure for an official passport and/or less than four weeks for each visa will need to be accompanied by a justification memo provided to the Director of the Office of International Affairs, explaining the urgency of the pending travel. Even with this memo, please be advised that it might not be possible to process the official passport and/or visa for the traveler in the timeframe they seek.

Passport Safekeeping Information: The INT Passport and Visa Division recognizes there may be instances where DOI employees may need to temporarily store their official passport in their own office according to safekeeping protocols. For those DOI employees who wish to obtain such permission, please complete a Passport Safekeeping Memo (link provided) to document the need and we will send further information.

Important Note: For each official trip, the DI-1175 must have all approvals (including final approval by INT) and be provided to the INT Passport and Visa Division as soon as possible prior to travel departure. The final approved 1175 will be automatically routed to the INT Passport and Visa Division through the DI-1175 electronic system.

When not in use for official travel, the official passport must always be securely stored in either a locked fireproof file cabinet or in a fireproof safe located in a locked Department or Bureau office. Once the period of frequent or emergency foreign travel has been completed, the employee must return the official passport to the INT Passport and Visa Division within two weeks.

Exit from DOI Requirements: If you are transitioning out of DOI, whether it's retiring or leaving to go somewhere else, it is required that our office sign off on your exit clearance verifying if an official passport was issued and returned. Please note that you must return your passport to our office for processing by the State Department. If you are leaving the government, we will seek to have it returned as a momento (please provide us with a forwarding address and phone number). If you are going to another government agency, please let us know so that we can have the State Department store your passport for that agency.

Forms

DOI Request for Official Passport: New or Renewal Form
DI-1175 form
Passport Safekeeping Memo (external link)
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Appointments

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Last Updated December 2023