Assignments to Germany

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Travelling to Germany on a posting from your country of origin

When travelling from Country of Origin to join the serving person in Germany all non-British dependants* are required to transit through the UK first. This is to ensure that all non-British dependants undergo full UKBA checks prior to entering the overseas location and aims to avoid potential immigration issues further down the line**.

Dependants who are non-visa nationals (i.e. from countries which are not required to get visas for a visit of 6 months or less) will need to ask their unit to staff the case to GSG. GSG will request a basic immigration check to be done by UKBA.

*Dependants from Fiji are able to come direct to Germany as the British Army Support Officer in Fiji is able to issue them with a temporary SOFA stamp. Soldiers will need to liaise with their unit to ensure that all required documents are supplied. Full guidance can be found by clicking here.

To apply for a visit visa:

Firstly you need to go to the Visa Application Centre (VAC) website of the country in which you live to find out what the specific requirements are. For an alphabetical list click here.
Once you have found the relevant Centre, you will find all the information about how to apply, some countries only accept online applications, others only take paper-based applications. Follow the instructions given.
You will need to make an appointment to attend the VAC, you will need to ensure you take the form and all supporting documents with you to this appointment.

Supporting documents: Click here for the UKBA guide to supporting documents as a visitor. A letter should accompany all applications for visas for travel to Germany via the UK from the sponsoring soldier’s unit UWO, stating the reasons for travel via the UK and verifying the details of the soldier including: the date of enlistment, final date of service and confirmation of entitlement to Service Families Accommodation (SFA).

** IMPORTANT - It is very important that you inform your unit of your intention to bring your spouse or child to Germany. Your unit have to initiate the ‘call forward’ procedure and will give you the letter of support once all details have been verified. If your spouse or child comes to the UK without a letter of support then they may be required to return to their country of origin or they may have to apply for a further visa once in the UK. This costs an extra £550 and could take up to three months to be processed so it will be necessary for your family member to have somewhere to stay during this time.

As you may have to stay in the UK for a few days or more whilst your SOFA stamp and ongoing flight to Germany is arranged, you will need to organise accommodation in the UK. If this is with a family or friend then you will need to provide evidence from them that they are happy for you to stay with them for this period of time. You will also need to provide evidence that you have the means to support yourself financially during this time.

What happens once I have a visa? An application for a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement*) Status stamp, via the Defence Passenger Reservation Centre (DPRC), should be instigated by the Unit at the same time as the visa is applied for. Once the dependant is in the UK (or has his/her visa and can provide a copy to the Unit) the Unit is to liaise with DPRC to ensure the Status stamp is issued, this will allow the spouse to continue his/her journey. It may take a few days or more to organise the onward journey but whilst in the UK, you are responsible for your own accommodation arrangements. A status stamp cannot be issued without a valid UK visa.

* The SOFA Stamp affords an individual and his dependants (where applicable) certain entitlements under the Treaty of Establishment, including access to tax-free goods. More importantly, it also provides exemption from passport/visa regulations and in-depth immigration inspections on entering or leaving Germany. In respect of F&C dependants, this means that a UK dependants visa is not required for Germany. Should a F&C dependant wish to apply for a UK visa for any other reason than on posting, the cost is to be met at private expense. Only in the case of a move for Service reasons (an official assignment order) will a visa be paid for at public expense.

Travelling to Germany from the UK

SOFA stamps: The unit will arrange for passports to be submitted to DPRC in advance of travel to Germany where a SOFA Status Stamp will be issued. This process is to be triggered by the losing Unit Admin Staff following receipt of the assignment order for an individual or, in the case of a Unit move, by the Admin Staff and/or Welfare Office Staff of that Unit. The Status Stamp affords an individual and his dependants (where applicable) certain entitlements under the Treaty of Establishment, including access to tax-free goods. More importantly, it also provides exemption from passport/visa regulations and in-depth immigration inspections on entering or leaving Germany. In respect of F&C dependants, this means that a UK dependants visa is not required for Germany. Prior to being assigned to Germany, all dependent family members of military personnel must also have a valid passport (valid for at least six months).

Flying to Germany: once you have the SOFA stamp, the soldiers unit should arrange onward flights to Germany.

Driving to Germany: if you wish to travel to Germany by car then you may need to obtain a Schengen visa from the Embassy of the first country in Europe you will arrive in on your journey over. If you will be arriving in France, then it will be necessary to get a Schengen visa from the French Embassy, click here. We have been informed that they would need to see the SOFA stamp and a letter from your Unit confirming the posting to Germany, as well as the other documentation requested on the form. Click here to read the experience of a spouse who recently went through this process.

However, a spouse recently drove from Harwich to Hook of Holland, she tried to get a Schengen visa from the Netherlands Embassy prior to travelling but was informed that she did not require one. At the port she was told that F&C dependants of NATO personnel travelling under a NATO travel order are allowed to pass through provided they are accompanied by the serving HM personnel and that the dependant holds a SOFA stamp. I would therefore recommend travelling to the Netherlands first as it would seem to be much easier!