What benefits does CSP provide?
Only Command Sponsored dependents are authorized:
- No-Fee U.S. Passport
- On-base housing, if available
- Travel Allowance: DoD members receive travel allowances and reimbursements for their families
- USFK Driver’s License
- Household Goods Shipment: DoD members receive their full accompanied JTR weight
Note: All dependents, regardless of CSP status, are authorized base access and use of the Base Exchange, Commissary, Fitness Center, and Recreational Programs.
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Non-Command Sponsorship (CSP)?
All incoming personnel should carefully consider the following information before making a financial commitment of bringing non-command sponsored dependents to Korea.
HOUSING: On-base housing is not authorized for non-command sponsored dependents. Therefore, dependents that live on the economy may be faced with heating and water problems, having to arrange for potable water, insufficient water pressure, and having to come on base to use the Laundromat. Personnel could experience substandard living conditions from what they may be accustomed to in the States; perhaps no yard for children to play in and depending on the sponsors’ grade (E-6 and below), possibly no car. Local transportation (taxi, bus) is available, but gets expensive after repeated use and is not available 24 hours a day.
FURNITURE: Furniture is not available for non-command sponsored dependents or those serving an unaccompanied tour living off base.
DUTY HOURS: Frequently, military members stationed in Korea are subject to long duty hours and numerous military exercises, often restricting personnel from leaving the base. Members and their dependents should realize time together might be limited because of military necessity.
FINANCIAL CONSIDERATIONS: Military members who elect to bring their non-command sponsored dependents to Korea should realize that additional transportation beyond the CONUS port is not reimbursable. In addition, the service member’s household goods shipping allowance is limited to either unaccompanied hold baggage allowance or 10% of the sponsor’s JFTR weight allowance. Service members who live on the economy are sometimes not entitled to full overseas housing allowance or, if entitled, are only provided at the single rate. EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES: Employment opportunities for American spouses, both command-and non-command sponsored are very limited.
CHILDCARE FACILITIES: Kunsan AB does not have available childcare.
DEPENDENT EDUCATION: There are no schools available for non-command sponsored children.
MEDICAL CARE: Availability of medical care is based on a space availability. Additionally, many of the specialties, for example, cardiology, neurosurgery, plastic surgery, endocrinology, and pulmonology are only available through air evacuation.
TRI-CARE: There are no guaranteed payment reimbursements–NCS dependents are only authorized to participate in Tri-care standard. Off base treatment must be paid in full at the time of service. The sponsor then files a claim with the original home area primary care manager. Reimbursements are decided on a case-by-case basis.
DENTAL CARE: Most dental services are offered to active duty.
USFK DRIVERS LICENSE: Non-command sponsored dependents whose sponsor is E-7 and above are permitted to obtain a USFK driver’s license. For E-6 and below, NCS dependents require an exception to policy to obtain a USFK driver’s license. FAMILY
MEMBER PASSPORTS AND VISA: As a military member, you are not required to have a passport and visa in Korea. However, all family members, fiancées, or friends visiting Korea must have a valid passport and visa BEFORE entering Korea, although Korea does allow visitors without a visa to enter the country for less than 30 days. Visas should be obtained in Korean Consulates outside Korea. If a visitor stays past 30 days, he or she will fall under the jurisdiction of Korean Immigration. There is no guarantee Korean Immigration will permit residence beyond the original 30 days. People staying past 30 days without obtaining proper authorization from Korean Immigration are subject to fines and possible legal action. The process for obtaining a resident visa must be done in person at the Korean Immigration Office in Seoul.
WE CANNOT STRESS ENOUGH THE IMPORTANCE OF OBTAINING THE CORRECT VISA BEFORE ENTERING THE COUNTRY. STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA) STAMP IN DEPENDENT PASSPORTS: Except for Korean Nationals who have no need of the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), all dependents of active-duty military who are residing here should have their passports SOFA stamped.. The sponsor will be given a Verification of Assignment Letter which, accompanied with the passport, must be taken to the Immigration Office. The passport will then be SOFA stamped. Some dependents in this category are not aware of this requirement. This passport entry should be obtained as soon as possible after entering the ROK since dependents may not leave the country without it. Without this passport entry, delays may result when it’s time to leave the ROK. If not already included as an item in your unit’s in-processing checklist, you may wish to do so. Additionally, any dependents not in possession of a passport or who require a visa should contact Military Personnel Flight Passport Office at 782-7220 for guidance.
Outpatient Mental Health care is routinely available to Active Duty military only. Mental Health needs are addressed much differently off base than in the United States. Carefully consider all options with your current mental health provider to determine if relocation to Korea is able to meet your specific needs.
Note: All dependents, regardless of CSP status, are authorized base access and use of the Base Exchange, Commissary, Fitness Center, and Recreational Programs.
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