PCS to Germany: Military Official Passports, No-Fee & Tourist Passports - What's the Difference?

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  • Опубликовано: 3 фев 2025

Комментарии • 84

  • @DTVDanielTelevision
    @DTVDanielTelevision  4 года назад +9

    **Update: I noticed I referred to the Official Passport as an "Official Tourist Passport." The Official Passport is NOT a "Tourist" Passport. The only "Tourist" Passport is the Fee (Tourist) Passport.
    So to be clear, there are only three types of Passports that I covered:
    1) No Fee Passport (Blue)
    2) Official Passport (Red/Maroon)
    3) Tourist Fee Passport (Blue)

    • @deontemerritt91
      @deontemerritt91 3 года назад

      how do I get my Official Passport that is color red/maroon and how much does cost.

    • @AA_BB_CC_D
      @AA_BB_CC_D Год назад

      4) Diplomatic Passport
      5) Emergency Passport

  • @deliverance1991
    @deliverance1991 3 года назад +5

    Thank you for this EXTREMELY helpful video. As an active duty member, I've been misinformed by many that I need an additional passport other than my fee (blue) passport. There is a lot of misinformation about this subject despite it being somewhat clear that your orders and your military ID are sufficient. Thank you again for your work!

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад +1

      You're welcome! I'm really glad you found some value out of it. I spent quite a bit of time gathering passport information so that it's crystal clear when transitioning over here. Thanks again for your support, let me know if I can help out with any other videos!

  • @helsinkisuomi
    @helsinkisuomi 3 месяца назад +1

    If you have Global Entry, make sure that your account has the information from ALL of your passports! For example, if you have an official passport and a regular tourist passport, then be sure to upload the information from BOTH passports into your Global Entry account.

  • @helsinkisuomi
    @helsinkisuomi 3 месяца назад

    This is how we used the passport when my husband was a DoD civilian employee in Germany. If Germany was part of the itinerary (origin, destination, layover, doesn't matter), we used the official passport (red) for the whole trip. For example, we flew from NYC to Istanbul, had a 4-hour layover, flew to Lisbon, had another 2-hour layover, and finally flew to Frankfurt. We started using the official passport when we were at NYC...checking in for the first flight.

  • @Squall1800
    @Squall1800 4 года назад +2

    Thanks for the help!!

  • @christianhamilton342
    @christianhamilton342 2 года назад +2

    Please help! Daniel, I have yet to get a confident answer anywhere.
    My wife wants to live with me while I am TDY at Ramstein for 6 months. Does she just need a SOFA card with her blue tourist fee passport?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  2 года назад +1

      Hey Christian. I’m pretty confident they won’t give your wife a SOFA card for 6 months. She would need to be command sponsored on the base and they don’t provide that for folks on TDY. Command sponsorship also provides all the benefits of moving expenses, tax free gas, drivers license, etc.
      This short video explains all the benefits:
      ruclips.net/user/shortsFfPw8qSKCA4?feature=share
      However, these benefits don’t fall under TDY status. The only option I’m aware of is a 3 month visa on your blue US tourist passport (assuming she’s American). This is the known as the Schengen rule.
      “Spend three months in the Schengen area (Germany and 26 other countries) during any six-month period, you must wait another three months from the last date of departure from the Schengen area before you can apply to enter the Schengen area again without a visa.”
      There seems to be exceptions to this rule, but it’ll have to be made through the embassy, so your chances of a SOFA stamp are unlikely 😕
      travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-you-go/travelers-with-special-considerations/schengen.html

  • @Adrianne316
    @Adrianne316 4 года назад +1

    Can you make a video listing what's required when traveling with a pet ? Noticed you mentioned a pet passport. 🐾🐕😄

  • @alexishall4105
    @alexishall4105 3 года назад +2

    I just got my orders last week and we weren’t told anything about a SOFA / no fee passport until I going this military spouse group on Facebook. I just applied as of today for a SOFA/ no fee, my husband said housing will take about 2 weeks or less. I was told I could still go to Germany as long as I’ve applied to the SOFA/ no fee and that they can mail it to my home address there. Is this true ? I know it said it’ll take 10-12 on the application email that was sent to me. Throughout our whole process we’ve been having trouble. We’re new to this stuff and nobody isn’t really helping us. It’s basically us trying to find answers on our own.

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      Hi! Yes this is true. You can still go to Germany as long as you are on orders through command sponsorship (I'm assuming your husband is the military member?) and you've applied for the no fee passport. Make sure you also get your tourist passport. This one is a lot easier to get. No stress though! Many people have trouble with this overseas PCS to Germany, which is why I created a comprehensive checklist to make sure you don't forget anything! Hopefully this can help you and your family: www.dtvdanieltelevision.com/2021/05/03/pcs-checklist/

  • @nanaakuaahenkan5136
    @nanaakuaahenkan5136 Год назад +1

    Hello Daniel, thank you for all you’re doing. Please I have a quick question, please my husband has orders in Germany, but I’m in Ghana, west Africa. Will I be able to join my husband in Germany when I’m on his orders? I haven’t been in the US before. Thank you.

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  Год назад

      Hello 👋🏾 You’re welcome. Yes you can join him. Just make sure you have your marriage license. You will need to be command sponsored AND on his orders. This will give you SOFA status (even if you haven’t been to the US).

    • @nanaakuaahenkan5136
      @nanaakuaahenkan5136 Год назад

      Thank you sir.

  • @teddyauwae8125
    @teddyauwae8125 Год назад +1

    Hi Daniel, Do you need a new no-fee passport as a dod civilian , if you are going from a job from us army to a job with us air force? The reason I ask is when you fill out the DD1056, it asks what component, you are working for and it should match your official orders? Thanks!

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  Год назад

      Good question. The short answer is yes, you do need a no-fee passport. As far the details on branch of service, I’m not 100% sure about the matching requirement. Who’s telling you it has to match? If you’re concerned with this, i would contact the passport office of your gaining base to ask the question, or get your tourist (fee passport) to initially PCS to Germany, and then get your no fee when you arrive so you’re 100% certain on the requirements. However, you can probably get a fairly quick answer from the passport office over here in Germany so you can get started on applying for the no fee before arrival.

  • @Jerricaaaw
    @Jerricaaaw 2 года назад +1

    Hi i’m just now seeing this video! i’m a military spouse and im currently in Korea, I don’t have my tourist passport i only have the no fee and I want to go back to the states. can i just use my no fee passport?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  2 года назад +1

      Hi! Thanks for watching! If you’re command sponsored and on orders in Korea, then yes, bring your no fee passport, ID Card, and orders when you travel to/from the states.

  • @ericaharris5331
    @ericaharris5331 Год назад +1

    So if we get the no fee passport first and we need supporting documents to apply for the tourist passport as well...how do we ensure we get the documents back in time for the tourist passport ?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  Год назад +1

      Hey 👋🏾 Is there a reason you’re applying for the no fee first? If I were you I’d get the tourist passport first (easiest). You could get that stateside at your local USPS. Then apply for your no fee when you arrive here. Spangdhalem I’m assuming based on your other comment? It’s much easier to apply for the no fee in person there. Especially if you haven’t gone through EFMP or received hard orders/command sponsorship yet. I hope that makes sense 😊

    • @ericaharris5331
      @ericaharris5331 Год назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision thanks for getting back to me on both questions. And yes it does make sense. 👌

  • @riserburn1
    @riserburn1 4 года назад

    Ever thought about putting a class together for people in graf and vilseck on video editing or production? I know a lot of people that have lots of gopro footage but don't know what to do with it or even what computers or software to use. Me being one of them lol. Your videos are always helpful!!

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  4 года назад

      Yes, I’ve thought about that but didn’t think there was a huge demand to actually learn in our small community. I’m currently working on a PCS course since I know it’s a hot topic, everyone has to go through it, and there’s a huge demand to get questions answered about it. Maybe once we all start traveling again I’ll throw in a few editing tutorials. Thanks for supporting the channel 🙏🏽

  • @Adrianne316
    @Adrianne316 4 года назад +2

    Can you only apply for your no fee and official passport once orders are received?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  4 года назад

      Yes you can! Go here to start the Adult Official Application process: home.army.mil/bavaria/index.php/passports

  • @cokieloverl
    @cokieloverl 3 года назад +1

    I’m Canadian and my fiancé is a US citizen living in Germany as a military member. If I don’t have a green card yet is there anyway once were married I can still get the SOFA stamp?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад +1

      Yes absolutely. You need to get command sponsorship from your fiancé. This will allow you to live with her in Germany and it enables you to get a SOFA stamp - but I'm not sure if she can apply before you're actually married (have her check with her unit). You can learn more about it here: media.defense.gov/2019/Aug/06/2002167117/-1/-1/0/AER55-46.PDF

  • @kelseyb.5706
    @kelseyb.5706 3 года назад +1

    So I am trying to obtain a passport to get to my husband. I am army reserves and have orders to transfer to a unit in Germany but we are told because he’s getting command sponsorship over me I need to get a passport. So I can get a tourist passport and a sofa stamp and then worry about the official passport/ no fee passport when I get there?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      Hi! Yes correct. You will need a passport regardless of “who command sponsors over who.” If you have orders, tourist passport and sofa stamp then you’re gtg. However, I would definitely start the paperwork for the official passport before you fly out. The sooner you can get that passport the better :)

    • @kelseyb.5706
      @kelseyb.5706 3 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision thank you for the reply, but I’ve heard that I need a no-fee passport because I’m a dependent on my husbands orders. Is that true?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад +1

      Hey, yes this is one of the most common questions that people ask. If you already have your Fee Passport (tourist) and orders, you can still fly over without a No Fee Passport (even if you're a dependent). Once you arrive, you can apply for it, but I would apply for it now to get the ball rolling. If you want to triple check that answer, call the passport office at the base you're moving to just to make sure :)

    • @kelseyb.5706
      @kelseyb.5706 3 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision okay makes sense thank you so much

    • @kelseyb.5706
      @kelseyb.5706 3 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision and last questions sorry! 😂 if I have my tourist passport and orders/ military ID am I required to get a sofa stamp before I get to Germany or can I get it when I get there?

  • @chelseachen5419
    @chelseachen5419 3 года назад +1

    Hi Daniel, my husband in the air force, he just got his order today, we are pcsing to Japan, and I am a dependent with a green card, can I apply for a no-fee passport? I'm so confused and stress.

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      Hi! Don't stress! You can apply for your no-fee passport if you are on his orders. Contact the passport office at his new duty station to apply. Let them know you have a green card because you may have to apply for it with your own consulate 👍🏾. And remember, you don't necessarily need it to PCS.

    • @chelseachen5419
      @chelseachen5419 3 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision thank you so much for your reply.

  • @arnaudkouemi2539
    @arnaudkouemi2539 4 года назад +1

    Can depends with green card travel inside and outside Germany with their foreign passport Sir?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  4 года назад +1

      I'm not 100% sure, but if you're a dependent with a green card I would bring my foreign passport as well as your SOFA card/stamp just to be safe.

    • @arnaudkouemi2539
      @arnaudkouemi2539 4 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision Thank you Sir.

  • @joanlorenzo7934
    @joanlorenzo7934 5 месяцев назад

    My son is trying to get the passport, but he was told he has to have a German phone number. Is this true?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  5 месяцев назад

      That doesn't sound right. Which passport?

    • @helsinkisuomi
      @helsinkisuomi 3 месяца назад

      Is your son in Germany right now?

    • @joanlorenzo7934
      @joanlorenzo7934 3 месяца назад +1

      We finally got the office info, and he is good to go. Thank though for trying to help. I appreciate it.

  • @emmamckee4787
    @emmamckee4787 3 года назад +1

    Do you know how to apply for a tourist passport when I already have my no fee passport?

  • @ericaclark5097
    @ericaclark5097 2 года назад +1

    Hi! So I am here in Germany now with my husband and our kids but we are going back to the state to visit and me and the kids only have the noFee passport are we aloud to go to the US and back with just that?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  2 года назад

      Yes you should. As long as you’ve been here less than 90 days. That’ll restart when you come back into Germany from vacation

    • @ericaclark5097
      @ericaclark5097 2 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision what if we have been here more then 90days?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  2 года назад

      @@ericaclark5097 do you have your SOFA stamp/card inside your no fee passport? If you’ve been here for more than 90 days they will “probably” ask to see it. I would bring that and orders. If you don’t have a SOFA stamp, you need to apply for it and show that you’re waiting on it. I just got back from the states and they asked for my no fee with SOFA stamp. The rule says you need the SOFA if here more than 90 days, but sometimes it depends on the actual customs agent and what they feel like asking for. I hope that helps 😬 It’s complicated I know 🤦🏽‍♂️

    • @ericaclark5097
      @ericaclark5097 2 года назад +1

      @@DTVDanielTelevision yes I have my sofa stamp!

  • @Jonathan-jv9df
    @Jonathan-jv9df 2 года назад +1

    Hello ! Such a good video. Very informative. I do have a question tho. Filipino here, I’m a DOD civ and I have a green card from the states and I have the sofa card with my Philippine passport. Can I just use these to travel all around Europe like France?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  2 года назад +1

      Hi 👋🏽 Good question. You never want to travel around Europe with your SOFA (although some do it anyway). You will only use that coming in and out of Europe from another continent. You’re gonna need a tourist passport to travel around with. Double check with your ID office overseas, but you may have to get that through the nearest embassy. You can however, PCS to Germany with your SOFA card.

    • @Jonathan-jv9df
      @Jonathan-jv9df 2 года назад

      @@jarcshaynecabangon5909 I don’t live in the Philippines. I live in Europe so I wouldn’t know about the immigration officers in the Philippines, sorry :/

  • @baileygower1967
    @baileygower1967 3 года назад

    Hey! I’m about to go to Germany for a month this December. Have my U.S. passport and vaccine documentation. Do I really need to prove a sufficient proof of funds? I’ve heard from people I don’t but I’ve read different things that say I don’t. Some say that I do.

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад +1

      Hi. A proof of funds? Never heard of needing that. Why would they need to see a proof of funds if you’re just visiting? I just had my family out here last month from the states and they didn’t need that. Just passport and vaccination docs 👍🏾

  • @michaelperez5126
    @michaelperez5126 3 года назад +1

    Thank you for the clarification and information on all 3 passports!! I'm getting stationed there in a month so I was kinda freaking out on which one is needed. I have the "Fee" passport(which expires in 3 years) but do you recommend getting the "No Fee" and "Official" passports as well or will I be fine with just the "Fee" passport to travel there?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      Hey man, yes I would definitely apply to get the no fee and official passport. You’re good to travel with the tourist (fee) passport when PCSing here (along with your orders), but you’ll want to have all of them to be on the safe side. Don’t stress if it doesn’t get to you on time, but definitely apply for it and keep the documentation that says “you applied for it.” Call the passport office here for further clarification and to relieve some stress 👍🏾 Also, if you’re coming in a month, you’ll probably want to just send it to your new CMR box. Again, speak with the passport office to double check. See ya soon 🍻

  • @zaira.jarquin
    @zaira.jarquin 3 года назад

    Do you know if i need a sofa stamp on my mexican passport?
    As far as we've been told i cant get a sofa stamp until i arrive to germany? Im a green card holder of USA. And my husband is active duty.

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      You don’t need it to PCS to Germany, you can get it when you arrive :)

  • @Lets_DoWhatWeWant
    @Lets_DoWhatWeWant 3 года назад

    Can you PCS with weapons and put them in unit Arms room in Germany.

  • @fasto4720
    @fasto4720 2 года назад

    What about the black passport (diplomatic)?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  2 года назад

      Hey there, black passports are not required for military living on orders in Germany, only blue and red/maroon

  • @vzp5138
    @vzp5138 3 года назад +1

    how long did it take to get the no fee passport? Thanks

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      They say up to “4-6 weeks” which can be true, but I wouldn’t hold my breath. Get this taken care of right away and plan on 6-8 weeks to be on the safe side.

  • @Reaper1RRTS
    @Reaper1RRTS 10 месяцев назад

    so weird i am PCS'ing out and they told me to get my no-fee but they told me it is red/whatever. So I put in for my no-fee. Hope its the right color. how about a red/white/blue passport America.

    • @helsinkisuomi
      @helsinkisuomi 3 месяца назад

      The red one is the official passport, and I think it doesn't have a fee. There is a regular (blue) no-fee passport, which looks just like the regular blue passport, but is only valid for 5 years.

  • @jennialvarado6395
    @jennialvarado6395 3 года назад

    I came to Germany without a passport (PCS Active Duty) I just made an appointment to get my Passport… but I want to take leave back to the States. I wouldn’t be getting it in time of my travel dates. Will I be required to have the Blue Fee Passport? Or can I just used my CAC and the original orders that brought me to Germany to leave and return

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      Ouuu. That’s a good question. Haven’t heard that one yet. I want to say you’d be ok if you have orders but they might ask for your passport since you already arrived. I would call the passport office just to double check. Let me know what they say!

    • @wubist6982
      @wubist6982 2 года назад

      Please let me know what happened I’m about to do the same thing

    • @wubist6982
      @wubist6982 2 года назад

      @@DTVDanielTelevision can you please look into this for me I’m about to do the same thing

    • @Majestykgrace
      @Majestykgrace Месяц назад

      Replying two years late but I always stationed in Korea and I came to the US on Leave and I only used my CAC, Orders and signed DA form 31…

  • @emreyes1971
    @emreyes1971 Год назад

    I was born in Germany & I need a passport to travel overseas. I only have a SF 545 “Certificate of Birth”, and no other documents. I was an Army brat and my old passport which is now lost was dated 1983. I don’t have an actual birth certificate with all my parents info on there. I need help getting a passport!! I’m going to USPS this week to see what they’ll accept. I’m super nervous!

    • @emreyes1971
      @emreyes1971 Год назад

      Also, do you live in “temps”? We lived in a full apartment in Frankfurt with 8 bedrooms because we were a family of seven and they had to put us there because they didn’t have an apartment ready for us to move into! I remember the walls that looked like yours with the roof area like that in 1979! I miss it!!

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  Год назад

      I’ve never heard the term “temps” but this is actually our old home. Privately owned by Germans. I was not a fan of those slanted walls. I’m pretty tall so that didn’t work out with the top of my head. I’ve cursed those walls on several occasions :)

  • @richardomendez6480
    @richardomendez6480 3 года назад

    Can i use official passport for personal travel ie vacation

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      I would not rely on the official passport for personal travel, you can get into some trouble. Use your No Fee passport instead.

  • @requiemphotography4792
    @requiemphotography4792 3 года назад

    Can you do this online?

  • @amandapark2494
    @amandapark2494 3 года назад +1

    How can you have the same name for your marriage certificate passport and birth certificate if you have been married and changed your last name to your spouses last name?

    • @DTVDanielTelevision
      @DTVDanielTelevision  3 года назад

      Good question. Sorry for not getting back to you sooner. Your birth certificate name will most likely be different, that's ok. If you have a passport with your maiden name and now you have a new last name, I would apply for a new passport with your new last name. It's not mandatory but it may cause less stress when traveling. Bottom line is if you changed your last name, I'd also look into changing any official ID's to that new last name (passports, military ID, driver's license). I hope that helps :) Here's a link to passport name changing requirements (#3): travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/forms.html