Temporary quarters allowance. When temporary quarters are obtained in a foreign area or in the United States prior to transferring to a foreign area, the employee may be eligible for an allowance under the SR prescribed by the Department of State. When the cost of a furnished meal is stipulated, the employee shall deduct that amount. Lodging and meals furnished. When there is no charge to the employee for lodging and meals, the per diem rate shall not be reduced lower than the prescribed incidental expense rate in Appendix B of FTR, Chapter 301-7.
New appointees are eligible for the per diem applicable to the location.
Actual subsistence rates for official travel may be authorized or approved when due to special or unusual circumstances the lodging costs absorb all or nearly all of the applicable maximum per diem rate. When rounding to the next dollar, do not go over 300 percent. You may need to round downward. The maximum daily rate for subsistence expenses shall not exceed the greater of 150-300 percent of the applicable maximum per diem rate for nonforeign and foreign areas. Approval of actual subsistence rates, after the conclusion of travel, should be done sparingly.