SF-86 Foreign Contacts and Foreign Activities: Sections 19 and 20
Sections 19 and 20 cover the people, money, and trips outside the U.S. that touch your life. Here's what they ask and how to get the details ready.
The Short Answer
Section 19 of the SF-86 asks about close and continuing contact with foreign nationals. Section 20 asks about foreign activities: financial interests, business or government contacts, and foreign travel. Read each question's exact wording on the form; the scope and time periods differ by question.
What Each Section Covers
| Section | Topic | Details to gather |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Foreign contacts | Name, citizenship, how you met, how often you're in touch, and the nature of the relationship |
| 20A | Foreign financial interests | Accounts, property, or investments held abroad, with approximate values |
| 20B | Foreign business and government contacts | Work, consulting, or offers involving a foreign person or government |
| 20C | Foreign travel | Countries, dates, and purpose of each trip outside the U.S. |
How to Rebuild the Details
- Trips. Passport stamps, airline and hotel confirmations in old email, and credit card statements give you dates and countries.
- Contacts. Messaging apps and social media show when you met someone and how often you talk.
- Accounts and property. Bank statements and tax records help with foreign financial interests.
- Official travel. Check the form's instructions on how to treat travel done for the U.S. Government.
Common Snags
- Guessing dates. Approximate only when the form allows it, and say so.
- Leaving out a contact because it feels minor. Read the question's definition, then ask your FSO if you're unsure.
- Mixing up sections. Relatives are covered in Section 18; Section 19 is about other foreign contacts.
- Forgetting ongoing reporting. Cleared people may also have reporting duties under SEAD 3. See our foreign travel reporting guide.
Keep a Running Log
Log each trip and new foreign contact when it happens. ClearanceTrail keeps travel and contacts in one private, encrypted timeline, so the details are ready before you open NBIS eApp. Also see Common SF-86 Mistakes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does having foreign friends disqualify me?
This guide can't predict any outcome. The form asks you to disclose certain contacts accurately; ask your FSO or security office about your situation.
What counts as close and continuing contact?
Use the definition in the SF-86 instructions for Section 19. If a relationship is borderline, ask your FSO how to handle it.
How do I find old foreign travel dates?
Check passport stamps, airline and hotel emails, and card statements, then list each trip with countries and dates.