Courtesies of the Port

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“77th UNGA Briefing Book” (PDF 12 MB)    “77th UNGA Arrivals Departure Briefing” (PDF 6 MB)

The Host Country Affairs Section of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations offers its services to the United Nations Community in arranging Airport Courtesies for; “Courtesies of the Port” on arrival, “Escort Screening Courtesies” on departure and “Overflight and Landing Request” for diplomatic (special) aircraft.   This airport assistance is limited to only “high-ranking” foreign officials arriving and/or departing from New York City area airports and other major airports in the United States. A high-ranking foreign official is defined as:  “An official at the ministerial rank or higher, who is considered the senior-most officer of state appointed to head an executive or administrative department or agency of that government.”

COURTESIES OF THE PORT

This airport courtesy provides for expedited entry through airport customs and border control on arrival at first port of entry at major U.S. airports. If authorized, a special lane moves “high-ranking” dignitaries through the normal airport arrival process without waiting in the general arrivals line. All requests for Courtesies of the Port must be made through the e-Gov system. In order to use the e-Gov Port Courtesies module, you email OFM Web Site Account request form to the Office of Foreign Missions. You may contact the Office of Foreign Missions help desk by e-mail at ofmgovhelpdesk@state.gov or by telephone at 202-895-3564 for more information. They will add the Port Courtesies module to your e-Gov account. For non-technical questions you may contact Office of the Chief of Protocol at portcourtesies@state.gov or 202-647-2663.  After hours, please contact DOS Operations Center at 202-647-1512 and ask for the Port Courtesy Officer. USUN Host Country Affairs section will still be available to assist if needed.

If you are unable to obtain an e-Gov account please contact the United States Mission’s Host Country Affairs Section at HostCountryOffice@state.gov

OVERFLIGHT AND LANDING CLEARANCES

This airport courtesy provides for authorization to enter and/or overfly U.S. air space and to land at U.S. airports for dignitaries that are arriving by “diplomatic (special) aircraft” (3).   All such aircraft must request Overflight and Landing Clearance prior to entering U.S. airspace.  This “Overflight and Landing Clearance” form must be submitted at least two (2) business days prior to entering U.S. airspace.  This courtesy is specifically arranged through the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. For assistance contact:  202-736-7158.

Overflight and Landing Clearance Request Form (DOCX 15 KB)

  1. Head of State, *  Head of Government, *  Cabinet Officers,*  Deputy Cabinet Officers,*  Members of Parliament, Governors and Mayors,  Chiefs of Mission , High-Ranking Military Officers,  Immediate Members of Royal Families and High-Ranking Officials as designated by Chief of Protocol.*(and their traveling parties)
  2. Ministerial or Cabinet rank is defined as a senior-most officer of state appointed to head an executive or administrative department or agency of  government.
  3. A Diplomatic “special” Aircraft is defined as a military, government or state owned aircraft or aircraft chartered by a foreign country or organization to carry a government official or dignitary.

For “OverFlight and Landing Clearances”, save the form as a “Word Doc” (yourcountry.doc) and e-mail as an attachment to:  betheard@state.gov or print a copy and fax to:  202-647-4055 (For non-DCAS account holders)

If your return e-mail does not automatically open upon “clicking” on the above link, copy the address line, open a new e-mail, paste the address line into the e-mail and send the completed form as an attachment.

Please ensure that all the requested information on the forms is complete and accurate. Incomplete or inaccurate information will delay the processing of your request.

“Courtesies of the Port” and “Escort Screening Courtesies” forms should be e-mailed to the U.S. Mission at their respective e-mail addresses, Monday thru Thursday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM and Fridays from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM. “Overflight and Landing Clearances” forms should be e-mailed or faxed (For non-DCAS account holders) Monday thru Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

To submit any of the three Airport Courtesy request forms on a weekend, holiday or after hours, contact the “Protocol Duty Officer” through the U.S. Department of State (Operations Center) at:  202-647-1512.

CONTACT INFORMATION

For arrival “Courtesies of the Port” assistance. Call: 212-415-4037 or 212-415-4144

For departure “Escort Screening Courtesies” assistance. Call: 212-415-4037 or 212-415-4144

For aircraft “Overflight and Landing Clearances” assistance. Call: 202-736-7158

BRIEFING BOOK

Please “click” on the link at the top to download a copy of the “Airport Courtesies” Briefing Book.  This document covers all aspects of “Airport Courtesies” to include applying for “Courtesies of the Port” on arrival, “Escort Screening Courtesies” on departure and “Overflight and Landing Clearances” for diplomatic (special) aircraft arriving in the United States.

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