Blocks 1 to 5: candidate and post
Name, Social Security number, actual place of residence in the U.S. (with a box if there is none during the tour), location of the overseas post and its 9-digit duty station code.
GSA5040
Overseas Employment Service Agreement
- Agency
- GSA
- Revision
- Rev. 9/2026
- Fillable fields
- 51
- Pages
- 4
- Official source
- GSA form page
- Checked
- October 20, 2026
GSA Form 5040: Overseas Employment Service Agreement
GSA Form 5040, Overseas Employment Service Agreement, is a four-page General Services Administration (GSA) form printed as GSA 5040 (REV. 9/2026), with OMB Control Number 3090-0329 and an expiration date of 9/30/2029. GSA hosts it in its forms library, and GSA's page lists HRM 9301.1 as its authority or regulation.
The instructions say the form should be completed by the human resources specialist filling the position, and that the selected job candidate may need to provide more information or documents. It brings together, in one place, the information used to determine the foreign allowances for the position, budget estimates and permanent change of station relocation expenses.
The agreement covers the overseas post, the length of assignment, travel and transportation, home leave, differentials and allowances, and a 12-month service requirement. The job candidate and the selecting official sign it. You can fill it out free in your browser on this page and download the result without an account.
What's on GSA Form 5040
Blocks 6 to 8c: post, sponsor and organization
Type and name of the overseas post, the sponsoring agency under the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), arrival and tour end dates, the appointee's GSA organization and the U.S. post after the final tour.
Blocks 9 and 10: assignment and travel
The length of assignment in months, and the terms for GSA paying travel and transportation to the post and back to the place of actual residence.
Block 11: home leave and 45-day leave accrual
The eligibility conditions under 5 U.S.C. § 6304(b) and home leave, with one box to check: eligible or not eligible.
Blocks 12 and 13: allowances and failure to fulfill
Check boxes for post allowance, post hardship differential, danger pay, educational allowance, living quarters allowance and other, then the effect of not fulfilling the agreement.
Blocks 14 and 15: certification and cancellation
The certification signed and dated by the job candidate and the selecting official, and a cancellation section for GSA.
How to complete GSA Form 5040
- 1
HR fills in the post details
The instructions say the HR specialist enters the country and city of the overseas post, and every duty station has a 9-digit duty station code.
- 2
Determine the actual place of residence
The instructions list factors from Comptroller General Opinion, Rafael Arroyo, B-197205, May 16, 1980, such as physical residence, agency records, employment history, family association with an area, voting and taxes.
- 3
Set the length of assignment
The instructions say it should match the time in the MOA between the agency and GSA, and that the initial assignment is typically 3 years and renewals are 2 years (up to 3 years).
- 4
Mark eligibility and allowances
Check one box in block 11 for home leave and 45-day leave accrual, and every allowance in block 12 approved for the position.
- 5
Candidate reviews and signs
Block 14 asks the job candidate to read the full form as completed by HR. The candidate and the selecting official each sign and date it.
- 6
A new agreement on renewal
The form says that upon renewal of the tour of duty, or reassignment to a different overseas post, a new agreement should be completed and signed.
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Service, cancellation and privacy
12-month service requirement
Block 13 says the job candidate agrees to remain an employee of the U.S. government for at least one year (12 months) after signing, to qualify for reimbursement of relocation costs.
What the form counts as a breach
Failing to relocate, voluntarily retiring or resigning before the 12 months end, or transfer to an international organization or a deferred resignation program. Transfer to another agency and separations beyond your control, such as a reduction in force, are not.
Debt
The form says that if the agreement is breached, the agency (or the U.S. Treasury Department) may establish, and then collect, a government debt, citing 31 U.S.C. Chapter 37 and 5 U.S.C. § 5514.
Cancellation
Block 15 says GSA can cancel the agreement for circumstances beyond the employee's control, such as a personal or family medical emergency, medical evacuation or approval for disability retirement, citing 41 C.F.R. § 302.215.
Time and comments
GSA estimates 1 hour to read the instructions, gather the facts and answer the questions. Comments on the estimate go to U.S. General Services Administration, Regulatory Secretariat Division (MVCB), 1800 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20405.
Related forms
GSA5039
Living Quarters Eligibility Questionnaire
40 fields, 2 pages
GSA5047
Actual Place of Residence Determination
52 fields, 4 pages
GSA5041
Overseas Employment Agreement Assignment to a Foreign Area (Without Return Rights)
9 fields, 1 page
GSA5042
Overseas Service Agreement - Home Leave and Renewal Agreement Travel
32 fields, 4 pages
GSA5045
Overseas Employment Onboarding Checklist
82 fields, 5 pages
SF1190
Foreign Allowances Application, Grant and Report
199 fields, 2 pages
Who fills out GSA Form 5040?
The instructions on pages 3 and 4 describe who completes and signs each part.
Official sources and the blank
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Questions about Form GSA5040
Who issues GSA Form 5040?
It is a General Services Administration form, printed as GSA 5040 (REV. 9/2026) with OMB Control Number 3090-0329 and an expiration date of 9/30/2029. GSA's page lists HRM 9301.1 as its authority or regulation.
Who fills out GSA Form 5040?
The instructions say it should be completed by the human resources specialist filling the position. The selected job candidate may need to provide more information or documents, then signs the certification.
How long is the service requirement?
Block 10 says GSA pays travel and transportation to the post with the understanding that the employee remains in service outside the United States for one year (12 months or 26 pay periods) after arriving overseas.
What happens if the agreement is breached?
The form says the agency (or the U.S. Treasury Department) may establish, and then collect, a government debt. Block 14 says an employee who does not complete the service period is considered indebted for the relocation expenses.
Can GSA cancel the agreement?
Yes. Block 15 says GSA can cancel it for circumstances beyond the employee's control, relieving the employee of financial responsibility. Its examples include a medical emergency, medical evacuation and approval for disability retirement.
How long is a typical assignment?
The instructions say the length should match the MOA between the agency and GSA, and that typically the initial assignment is 3 years and renewals are 2 years (up to 3 years).
How long does GSA Form 5040 take?
GSA estimates it will take 1 hour to read the instructions, gather the facts and answer the questions.