FAQs — International

DCSA does not approve visit requests, it is up to the Foreign Government to accept and approve the request. However, it is the contractor’s responsibility to certify that the information to be released during each visit has been approved for release by the appropriate designated authority and an export authorization has been granted. To verify approval of the visit request, please coordinate with the foreign site POC prior to departure.

Each country’s NSA/DSA establishes its own requirements regarding RFV lead times. DCSA requires five (5) business days in addition to the Foreign Government’s lead time requirement in order to process each RFV. DCSA will only accept visits 90 days or less from the start date

Note: Foreign Governments can change their RFV lead times without notice. For the most current information regarding country lead times and requirements associated with international classified visits email dcsa.rfv@mail.mil.

DCSA will only accept the forms located on our website as the forms contain specific requirements. All other versions of the forms will be rejected.

DCSA processes outgoing visit requests for U.S. cleared contractors. DCSA only accepts visit requests from the security office of a cleared DOD contractor. The visitors listed on the form must be employed by the cleared facility submitting the request. We do not process visit requests for military or government employees.

Only visit requests for NATO Headquarters in Brussels are to be submitted in DISS directly to the NATO HQ Security Manager. Please coordinate with your site POC to determine which SMO code is needed for your visit.

All other NATO sites require a visit request form to be submitted to DCSA for processing.

Once DCSA has processed the visit request and submitted the form to the appropriate Foreign Government, DCSA will notify the FSO via email the visit has been processed. DCSA will not provide the facility the stamped copy of the visit request.

NSCC’s are only processed by DCSA if they accompany a valid visit request. NSCC’s are site specific and must only be for the duration of the visit.

A facility is required to submit an amendment to remove a visitor upon separation, removal from a contract, or loss of eligibility.

LAA access is limited to a specific U.S. Government contract. A new LOJ is required.

To comply with 32 CFR § 117.19(d)(6), you must meet the following key requirements:

• Authorization: Confirm an approved export authorization is in place.
• Package Size: Ensure the proposal is small enough to always remain in the courier’s personal custody (it cannot be checked luggage).
• Courier Rules: The courier must be a cleared, full-time employee. You must brief them and issue a formal Courier Certificate.
• DCSA Notification: Submit a Hand Carriage Request to DCSA at least 5 working days before the trip.
• Foreign Approval: Wait for DCSA to coordinate and receive approval from the foreign government's security authority.
• Travel Restrictions: The courier must fly on a U.S. or recipient-government airline using a direct route. No overnight layovers and no stops in third countries are permitted.
• Visit Requests: If the courier plans to stay and brief the proposal, a separate DCSA Visit Request must also be submitted.

Foreign classified information CANNOT be mailed to a Diplomatic Post Office address. However Secret and Confidential material may be transmitted by registered mail through U.S. Army, Navy, or Air Force postal facilities. Reference 32 CFR §117.15 (f)(3).
 

Is there an approved export authorization? Is the size such that it can be maintained in the personal possession of the courier? Notify your IS Rep and provide a "Hand carriage request" that includes the necessary information (cite export authorization, courier data, date & itinerary, identity of foreign recipient, etc.,) Reference 32 CFR §117.19(d)(6). The request has to be submitted to DCSA at least 5 work days in advance of the transfer date. DCSA has to coordinate the arrangements and obtain approval from the recipient government's security authority. The courier has to be a full-time cleared employee. Brief the courier on his/her responsibilities. Complete a Courier Certificate. The courier is to travel a direct route with no overnight layover, no stops in 3rd countries and should be traveling on a US or the recipient government flag airline. If the courier is going to stay and brief the proposal, than a visit request should have been submitted to DCSA International with the required amount of lead-time.

If a visit is non-sponsored, the visit can still occur if your facility is in receipt of an approved export authorization to subject country. The response from the visit office would contain the security clearances of the visitors and it is the notification that the requesting government has provided the required security assurances to the U.S. Government. If a classified visit is sponsored by a US gov’t/military activity, then an export authorization is not required, as the sponsored visit authorization provides the disclosure guidance. If the visit is denied, the visit can occur, but only information in the public domain can be discussed. The process is initiated when the foreign government submits a visit request into the DoD Foreign Visits System (FVS). The foreign contractor facility or foreign government entity usually sends the visit request through their embassy in Washington, D.C. The request should be submitted 21 working days prior to the visit to allow for processing. Once their embassy enters it into the FVS, it is forwarded to the applicable Defense Visit Offices for review. The visit will either be sponsored (government approved), non-sponsored or denied. Notification of the approval will be forwarded to your facility and it will contain disclosure instructions on the classified and unclassified information involved, and any limitations.

An improper receipt of foreign government material that is not received through government channels must be reported to DCSA per 32 CFR §117.19 (c)(12). The foreign visitor failed to submit the hand carry request through his government security authority for approval. When hand carrying classified material internationally, the security authorities of the receiving government (DCSA) must first be notified of the plan from the sending government (32 CFR §117.19 (d)(6)). It's the same as when one of your employees requests to hand carry classified material, the arrangements have to be coordinated and approved by both governments prior to being allowed to proceed with the plan.

No. Refer to 32 CFR §117.19 (f)(2)(v). U.S. contractor employees assigned to foreign government or foreign contractor facilities under a direct commercial sales arrangement will be subject to the host-nation's industrial security policies.

No, unclassified material should not be shipped out under a DSP -85 "Application/License for Permanent/Temporary Export or Temporary Import of Classified Defense Articles and Related Classified Technical Data." It is unlawful for anyone to ship unclassified commodities on a classified license. Unclassified material is to be shipped on a Form DSP -5, "Application/License for Permanent Export of Unclassified Defense Articles and Related Unclassified Technical Data." The mixing of classified and unclassified items on a license is not allowed. What is permitted is when unclassified items are part of an assembled unit or system (actually bolted on at time of export).

Additionally, only items specifically listed on the license may be shipped. A statement such as "associated infrastructure" does not justify acceptance of unlisted items. It can only refer to a list that must be approved with the license application. Only those items on the list are approved for export.

If your facility is performing on classified contract, you should have a TCP unless your cognizant DCSA Field Office determines that procedures already in place at your facility are adequate. A TCP is required to control access by foreign nationals assigned to, or employed by, cleared contractor facilities ((32 CFR §117.19 (e)(4)(v)). The TCP shall define what needs to be protected. Controls are necessary to ensure that no transfer of export-controlled information occurs unless authorized.

The TCP outlines the specific information that has been authorized for release to the foreign personnel or visitors, and provides disclosure guidelines for access. The use of badges, escorts, or segregated work areas would be examples of the types of access controls that can be used by your facility. These efforts will make the foreign employee or visitor more visible, thus reminding employees of their presence. All foreign persons should be briefed on the provisions of the TCP. U.S. citizen employees should be knowledgeable of the information that can be disclosed or accessed by foreign nationals. They should receive a copy of the TCP and be briefed on the contents of the plan.