U.S. Department of State

What U.S. Department of State does

The U.S. Department of State, headquartered at the Harry S. Truman Building (2201 C Street NW, Washington, D.C.) and established on July 21, 1789, is the oldest federal executive department and the lead foreign affairs agency of the United States. It serves four primary constituencies: U.S. citizens abroad requiring consular protection and passport services; foreign nationals seeking visas to enter the United States; foreign governments engaged in bilateral diplomacy, sanctions coordination, and humanitarian response; and multilateral bodies such as the United Nations. The Department operates the world's largest diplomatic network with embassies and consulates in 170+ countries and executes a portfolio including the Artemis Accords (68 signatories), the Pax Silica AI supply chain pact (24 signatories), and approximately $50+ billion in annual foreign assistance programming.

Core products include passport issuance and renewal, non-immigrant and immigrant visa processing, traveler advisory services, and a suite of internal and inter-governmental technology platforms. Notable technology deployments include State Chat, an internal NLP AI tool serving 60,000+ users across 97% of posts and processing roughly 5,000 daily communications; Pax Silica, an AI supply chain credentialing and provenance platform integrating with customs, port operator, and shipper tracking systems to expedite vetted shipments of semiconductors and critical minerals; and the FIFA PASS visa priority scheduling system for the 2026 World Cup. IT modernization is being executed through the Evolve IDIQ contract awarded to Leidos, with a $10 billion ceiling covering cloud, application development, network, and end-user support services for diplomatic posts globally.

The Department's funding model is overwhelmingly appropriations-driven: FY2026 congressional appropriations totaled approximately $58.9 billion. Secondary revenue streams include transaction-based fees from visa processing (a standard $185 B1/B2 fee, with a new $750 expedited interview pilot running July–December 2026) and passport services. The go-to-market model is direct-to-citizen and direct-to-government through the physical embassy/consulate network and the state.gov digital platform, supplemented by authorized visa application centers. Leadership comprises Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau, and Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, with a career civil service and political appointee structure overseen by the President and Congress.

Name

U.S. Department of State

Legal name

United States Department of State

Website

https://state.gov

Company type

Public

Founded year

1789

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

5,001–10,000 employees

Short description

The U.S. Department of State, founded in 1789, is the U.S. federal executive department that conducts American foreign policy, operates the world's largest diplomatic network of embassies and consulates in 170+ countries, and delivers consular services including visa processing, passport issuance, and citizen assistance to U.S. nationals and foreign nationals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic Services

NAICS

International Affairs (928120), International Affairs (92812), Public Administration (92)

SIC

International Affairs (9721), Foreign Governments (8888)

akta.pro primary industry

Diplomatic Missions & Embassies (Bilateral Relations) (BPAIAIAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Immigration, Citizenship & Border Administration (Civil) (BPAIAAAN), Consular Services & Citizen Assistance (BPAIAIAB), Bilateral Development & Aid Agencies (HLAJAKAB), Country Development Assistance Programs (Bilateral ODA) (BPADABAA)

Keywords

• Diplomatic services
• Consular services
• Passport services
• Visa processing
• Foreign affairs

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Visa and Passport Fees: The Department collects fees for visa processing (standard B1/B2 visa fee of $185) and passport services. A new expedited interview service pilot program charges an additional $750 fee for appointments within 10 business days.
2. Congressional Appropriations: Primary funding through congressionally appropriated funds for diplomatic operations, foreign aid, and national security functions

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

The U.S. Department of State is the lead U.S. foreign affairs agency, functioning as the principal diplomatic arm of the federal government. It issues U.S. passports and adjudicates visas, provides 24/7 consular assistance to American citizens abroad, and conducts bilateral and multilateral diplomacy through embassies and consulates in more than 170 countries. The department also coordinates U.S. foreign policy, sanctions implementation, humanitarian assistance, and international development cooperation on behalf of the United States.

Product overview

The U.S. Department of State provides core diplomatic and citizen services including passport issuance, visa processing, and international travel guidance. The department operates AI-enabled platforms including Pax Silica for AI supply chain credentialing and State Chat for internal diplomatic communications. Infrastructure modernization is supported through the Evolve contract with Leidos for embassy and consulate IT systems worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Passport Services U.S. passport issuance, renewal, and travel documentation services for American citizens traveling internationally; delivered through U.S. embassies and consulates and the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
• Visa Services Adjudication and processing of immigrant and non-immigrant visas for foreign nationals seeking to travel to the United States for tourism, business, work, study, or immigration; including a new FIFA PASS priority appointment service for FIFA World Cup 2026 attendees.
• Traveler Services (Travel Advisories and Country Information) Travel advisories, country-specific information, safety alerts, and international travel guidance for U.S. citizens and foreign nationals planning international travel.
• Pax Silica AI Supply Chain Platform AI supply chain credentialing and provenance platform designed to expedite customs and logistics for vetted shipments of semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and critical minerals through trusted trade routes across 24 signatory countries including Argentina, Chile, the EU, Germany, Kazakhstan, and the Netherlands.
• FIFA PASS Visa Priority Appointment Service Visa priority appointment scheduling system offered to FIFA World Cup 2026 attendees to streamline their visa appointment experience through U.S. embassies and consulates.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 60,000 internal AI users across 97% of posts handling 5,000 daily communications
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability5 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Starlink (SpaceX)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Partnership to restore satellite internet connectivity in Venezuela earthquake-affected areas, marking one of the first major activations of a two-year MOU between the State Department and Starlink for disaster response communications
• Angel (media and technology company) and Wonder ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 June 2026Strategic partnership to screen the film 'Young Washington' at U.S. embassies worldwide as part of America's 250th anniversary celebration, engaging audiences including students, emerging filmmakers, cultural leaders across approximately 80 countries
• Leidos HoldingscoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 23 June 2026Four awards under the State Department's Evolve contract to assist in modernizing IT systems for American diplomats globally, covering cloud services, application development, network telecommunications, and customer support. IDIQ contract has a $10 billion cap
• Foreign Military Sale - IndiacoreOthers · 22 June 2026Proposed Foreign Military Sale worth $482.2 million to provide sustainment support services for India's AH-64E Apache attack helicopters and M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers
• UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026Global sports diplomacy partnership signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and UFC CEO Dana White, establishing a public-private partnership to enhance sports diplomacy initiatives and collaborate on the global growth of mixed martial arts as part of America's 250th anniversary celebrations (Freedom 250 event)
• CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 June 2026$50 million commitment to accelerate development of medical countermeasures against Bundibugyo virus, supporting vaccine candidates through emergency authorization for epidemic response in DRC and Uganda
• Catholic Relief Services (CRS)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 June 2026$240 million grant for disaster and humanitarian assistance, marking the first in a planned series of grants to vetted organizations for rapid crisis response, supporting humanitarian aid in Ethiopia, Haiti, Nigeria, Sudan, and Ebola response efforts
• Port Management Association of the Caribbean (PMAC)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 20 April 2026$10 million grant for regional coordination and environmental feasibility studies for Caribbean port infrastructure modernization, with additional $5 million digitalization grant for upgrading CCTV systems and Terminal Operating Systems
• ZiplinecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Partnership to expand autonomous drone medical delivery network across Africa, backed by up to $150 million in U.S. funding and up to $400 million in African government utilization fees, scaling from 5,000 to 15,000 health facilities and reaching approximately 130 million additional people

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Others

• Leidos Holdings: Major federal IT contractor holding the State Department's Evolve IDIQ contract (up to $10 billion ceiling per source) for cloud, application development, network telecom, and customer support across U.S. diplomatic posts globally. Closest private-sector counterpart supplying State with mission-critical technology infrastructure.
• Starlink (SpaceX): Satellite internet operator that signed a two-year MOU with the State Department for disaster response communications, activated during the 2026 Venezuela earthquake relief effort. Adjacent infrastructure provider supporting State's emergency consular and humanitarian response capabilities.
• U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) - dissolved functions now under State: The recently dissolved U.S. bilateral development agency, whose foreign-assistance functions were transferred to the State Department. Historically the State Department's principal implementing partner on humanitarian aid and development grants; now functionally merged into the State Department.

Direct peers

• German Federal Foreign Office (Auswärtiges Amt): Germany's central foreign affairs ministry, headquartered in Berlin, running a wide embassy/consulate network across all continents. Closely comparable to the State Department's consular, visa, and bilateral diplomacy functions, including recent leadership on sanctions related to Russia and Iran.
• French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs (Ministère de l'Europe et des Affaires étrangères): France's foreign affairs ministry, operating one of the world's largest diplomatic networks with cultural diplomacy (Institut Français, Alliance Française) as a core pillar. Comparable to the State Department in consular services, visa issuance, and bilateral/multilateral negotiation.
• Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT): Australia's combined foreign affairs and trade ministry, headquartered in Canberra, with responsibility for consular services, passport issuance, visa processing, and bilateral aid programs. Operates on a similarly integrated consular-plus-policy model as the U.S. State Department.
• UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO): The United Kingdom's lead foreign affairs ministry, headquartered in London. Runs a global network of embassies and consulates, delivers consular services to British nationals, processes visas, and administers overseas development assistance — directly mirroring the State Department's mandate on a smaller geographic footprint.
• Global Affairs Canada (Affaires mondiales Canada): Canada's foreign affairs ministry, integrating diplomatic, consular, trade, and development assistance functions under one department. Operates a smaller global network but mirrors the State Department's portfolio structure, particularly for consular services, visa processing, and international development.
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (外務省): Japan's foreign ministry, a long-standing U.S. treaty ally with extensive consular and diplomatic operations in 170+ countries. Directly comparable consular, visa, and bilateral diplomacy functions, and a key counterpart in Pax Silica-aligned technology and supply chain diplomacy.

Broad incumbents

• European External Action Service (EEAS): The EU's diplomatic corps, headquartered in Brussels, representing the European Union's combined foreign policy, security, and trade interests. Operates EU delegations analogous to U.S. embassies in 170+ countries and is a counterpart to the State Department on issues like Pax Silica and global sanctions coordination.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/StateDept
• YouTubeyoutube.com/statedept
• Facebookfacebook.com/usdos
• Instagraminstagram.com/statedept
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/3100

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments3 records

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Frequently asked questions about U.S. Department of State