Under the Office of Foreign Missions’ Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program, qualifying foreign officials can be assigned a Department of State escort officer who is authorized to assist such dignitaries with their departure from certain airports in the United States.
Foreign officials who are considered to be the functional equivalents of members of the Cabinet of the United States are eligible for the services provided under the Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program, when not being escorted by a United States Secret Service, Diplomatic Security Service protective detail or other recognized USG official protective detail. Further, the dignitary’s accompanying spouse and their children under the age of twelve, may also receive services under the Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program. Members of the delegation accompanying the escorted official will be subject to customary screening.
The Department of State’s escort officer will work with the departing dignitary’s designated point of contact to coordinate the extension of the departure from a domestic airport. The escort officer will set up a meeting point at the airport and proceed to escort the VIP through the security screening process. In most cases, the escort duties will not end until the VIP is on the plane and it has left the airport. In order to ensure that they can be accommodated, it is important to alert OFM as soon possible, following any travel changes.
The Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program addresses departures from designated U.S. Airports and does not affect the Expedited Port Courtesies Program for arriving dignitaries. The Expedited Port Courtesies Program is administered by the Department of State’s Office of the Chief of Protocol.
Therefore, missions requesting a protective detail for a foreign dignitary from the United States Secret Service or the Diplomatic Security Service through the Expedited Port Courtesies Program should not also request services for the same individuals under the Office of Foreign Missions’ Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program.
Further, if the dignitary is traveling with armed security, foreign missions should not submit a request for assistance under the Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program. In such instances, foreign missions should instead contact the Bureau of Diplomatic Security’s Protective Liaison Division at (202)895-3600. Also, foreign missions should not submit requests for assistance under the Airport Escort Screening Courtesies Program for a head of state traveling under the protection of the U.S. Secret Service.
Questions concerning escort screening should be directed to the Office of Foreign Missions by electronic mail to escortscreening@state.gov or by telephone at (202)895-3500 x 4.
