10 In accordance with the provisions of Staff Rule 810.5, internationally recruited staff members whose spouse has not joined them under Staff Rules 820.2.1, 820.2.2 or 820.2.3 may be entitled to return travel from the duty station to the place where the spouse is residing once in each interval between home leave due dates.
20 Alternatively the spouse, but not the children may visit the staff member at the duty station and return in accordance with the provisions of Staff Rule 820.2.6. The rule refers to a spouse and therefore a single staff member (i.e. divorced, widowed or a single parent) is not entitled to spouse visit travel.
30 Normally, the duration of the stay should not be less than one (1) week excluding travel time; however, exceptions may be granted by the appropriate HRO(GHR)/RHRM if the staff member has valid reasons. The assignment is to continue for at least six (6) months after return.
40 The minimum duration of appointment for eligibility for this travel corresponds to that of the home leave cycle of the duty station concerned (see computation of qualifying service).
50 Because of the requirement for six (6) months' service after return from this travel, authority for the travel may have to be given slightly before the normally-required twelve (12) credit points have been accumulated. The exercise of this travel (unlike that on home leave) does not entail debiting the required twelve (12) credit points: the use of the points only serves the purpose of identifying when the staff member will have acquired full eligibility.
60 When a staff member has waived the entitlements which may have been due to the spouse on appointment or subsequent to appointment or on change of duty station, the staff member may apply for travel under Staff Rule 810.5 or 820.2.6. This waiver remains in effect for the remainder of the home leave cycle of the duty station, i.e. until the next home leave due date.
70 However, in the event a staff member who has exercised an entitlement to travel under Staff Rule 810.5 or 820.2.6 and who wishes, within the period covered by the waiver to exercise "appointment travel" for their spouse under Staff Rules 820.2.1, 820.2.2 or 820.2.3 may do so in exchange for twelve (12) home leave credit points. This will result in delaying the due date of the next home leave by half a cycle.
80 Any special leave without pay taken or sick leave under insurance cover in excess of thirty days does not count towards completion of the period mentioned above.
90 Note that if the above requirements are not fulfilled and the staff member nevertheless goes ahead with planned travel, they should keep all relevant receipts and tickets so that if entitlement exists at a later date the cost of the travel could be reimbursed.
100 For general information on travel see also eManual section VII.
