International travelers are normally reimbursed at the applicable Meals and Incidental Expenses (M&IE) rate of the U.S. Department of State without receipts, or at actual cost with receipts, if funds are available and exceptional circumstances warrant a higher rate.

Travelers are not required to provide individual meal receipts or show a per meal breakdown for daily travel using the U.S. Department of State M&IE rate. A partial day's travel is eligible for the appropriate meal(s) consumed when travel time encompasses a period of two hours before and two hours after that (those) meal(s). A partial day's per diem will be calculated based on the total M&IE rate as follows: Breakfast-15%, Lunch-25%, and Dinner-60%. Travelers should clearly identify, on their Travel Expense Statement, the foreign locale visited. Reimbursement is based on the rates in effect at the time of travel.

Travel approving authorities are responsible for determining which circumstances may warrant a higher level of reimbursement and the procedure for approval. Such transactions must be accompanied by receipts.