Employees recruited for overseas duty from the United States and who may accumulate 45 days of annual leave under section 6304(b) of title 5, United States Code, are entitled to earn, and may be granted home leave. Home leave may be used only in the U.S., the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or the territories and possessions of the U.S.

An employee is eligible to use home leave entitlements when he/she has completed 24 months of continuous service abroad. Home leave is earned and credited on a monthly basis.

Earning rates range from:

•  5 days per 12 months at posts with Foreign Post Differential rates of less than 10 percent (All MFEA employees)
• 10 days per 12 months at posts with Foreign Post Differential rates of 10-15 percent 
• 15 days per year at posts with FPD rates of 20 percent and higher.

Home leave may be used in combination with other leaves of absence, but cannot be used as terminal leave or as the basis for a lump-sum payment. Employees follow regular leave request procedure to request Home Leave. There is no limit on accumulation of home leave.

     •  Submit completed SF-1190 to:  SMB HQMC HROM OVERSEAS