Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) are America's advocates, promoting peace and supporting prosperity as they advance our interests and protect American citizens throughout the world. Since our work has global impact and is carried out around the world, FSOs are located at over 265 embassies, consulates and other diplomatic missions in The Americas, Africa, Europe, East Asia and the Pacific, Middle East and North Africa, and South and Central Asia.
To successfully address the many needs of our mission, Foreign Service Officers are hired into five specific career tracks. If you’re interested in becoming an FSO, you’ll first need to select the track you want to pursue from one of the following:
- Management Officers run our embassies and make diplomacy work
- Consular officers protect Americans abroad and strengthen U.S. border security
- Economic Officers promote U.S. economic and trade interests abroad
- Political Officers interpret events and situations related to U.S. interests
- Public Diplomacy Officers broaden understanding of American values and policies
To be eligible, all applicants must be:
- U.S. citizens on the date they submit their registration package
- At least 20 years old and no older than 59 years of age on the day the candidate submits the registration
- At least 21 years old and not yet 60 on the day the candidate is appointed as a Foreign Service Officer
- Available for worldwide assignments*, including Washington, D.C.
Even though you are not required to know a foreign language to qualify, proficiency in one or more languages may enhance your competitiveness for selection.
If you are a capable, adventurous, and dedicated candidate who is prepared to step up to the challenges that face our country, we want to talk with you.
* Members of the Foreign Service must be willing and able to serve anywhere in the world, sometimes even in cases where family members cannot go to post due to political instability or other concerns, or when family members must leave post as conditions deteriorate (evacuations).