Foreign travel log
Log each country you visited outside the U.S. in the last 7 years, with the same fields Section 20C asks for.
Not affiliated with DoD, DCSA, OPM, or any government agency; not legal advice. Free and unofficial. Always follow the official form and your sponsor's instructions.
Passport stamps, airline accounts and old email confirmations help you rebuild dates.
Section 20C: Foreign travel SF-86, PDF p. 84
How far back?
Seven years. The section asks whether you have traveled outside the U.S. in the last 7 years. SF-86, PDF p. 84
My only trips abroad were on official orders.
If all of your travel was solely for U.S. Government business or a military assignment on official orders, with no personal trips tied to it, the form lets you answer Yes and move on to Section 21. SF-86, PDF p. 84
I took leave or a side trip during official travel.
List it. The form asks about all such trips, "including personal trips made in conjunction with official U.S. Government business." SF-86, PDF p. 84
Do Puerto Rico, Guam or other U.S. territories count as foreign?
The form's instructions treat U.S. states and territories as U.S. locations and use the Country list only for places "outside of the U.S. and its territories." If you are unsure about a trip, ask your security officer. SF-86, PDF p. 1
How do I count days?
Pick a range: 1-5, 6-10, 11-20, 21-30, more than 30, or "many short trips." SF-86, PDF p. 84
What else does it ask per country?
Whether you were questioned, searched or detained (beyond normal customs), had a police encounter, or were contacted by anyone showing undue interest in you or your job, among other things. Note anything like that as you log the trip. SF-86, PDF p. 84
Source: Standard Form 86, Questionnaire for National Security Positions (Revised November 2016, OMB No. 3206-0005), published by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. Checked 2026-11-13.