USAID Per Diem

USAID per diems are regularly adjusted and any new change applies immediately, even in the middle of a contract. They may be increased or decreased at any time. Therefore, it is necessary to check them regularly on the US State Department web site.

USAID Official Per Diem

Per Diem Information for Federal Agencies and Travelers

The foreign travel per diem allowance is a payment in lieu of reimbursement for actual subsistence expenses. The payment is provided to an employee and eligible dependents for daily expenses while on temporary travel status in the listed localities on official business away from an official post or assignment. The established rates are maximum amounts. Under travel regulations implemented by the General Services Administration and individual Federal agencies, authorizing officials are required to reduce the maximum rates when necessary to maintain a level of payment consistent with necessary travel expenses.

All travelers are advised to request information on hotel discounts for U.S. Government employees when arranging for hotel reservations. They should also seek information on the possible avoidance of taxes or their refund upon return to the United States or their post of assignment.

Separate amounts are established for lodging and meals plus incidental travel expenses (M&IE). The maximum lodging amount is intended to substantially cover the cost of lodging at adequate, suitable and moderately-priced facilities. The M&IE portion is intended to substantially cover the cost of meals and incidental travel expenses such as laundry and dry cleaning.

The maximum per diem rates for foreign countries are based on costs reported in the Hotel and Restaurant Section (Form DS-2026) submitted by foreign posts. This report includes prices for hotel rooms and meals at facilities representative of moderately priced and suitable hotels and restaurants most frequently used by typical Federal travelers. The lodging portion of the allowance is based on average reported costs for a single room, including any mandatory service charges and taxes. The meal portion is based on the costs of an average breakfast, lunch, and dinner at facilities typically used by employees at that location, including taxes, service charges, and customary tips. The M&IE rate is based on these meal costs plus an additional amount, equal to 10% of the combined lodging and meal costs, to cover incidental travel expenses.