Any British Military spouses? - question

[ukreal1]

Hello all,

I am a British citizen living in the states as a permanent resident. I am married to a US Marine who has overseas orders for 3 years in Okinawa. I would like to know if I have to get a visa. I have 'heard' that I get a SOFA stamp in my British passport since my name will be on the orders, but then someone else stated that I would most likely need a visa from my consulate. Needless to say, I am slightly confused and would appreciate some help. I have some website addresses, but it feels like I am entering a black hole of cyber info that makes no sense to me! If there are any Brits out there on military orders, please throw some light on this subject!

Thank you,

Pamela

[Asshat]

Hello all,

I am a British citizen living in the states as a permanent resident. I am married to a US Marine who has overseas orders for 3 years in Okinawa. I would like to know if I have to get a visa. I have 'heard' that I get a SOFA stamp in my British passport since my name will be on the orders, but then someone else stated that I would most likely need a visa from my consulate. Needless to say, I am slightly confused and would appreciate some help. I have some website addresses, but it feels like I am entering a black hole of cyber info that makes no sense to me! If there are any Brits out there on military orders, please throw some light on this subject!

Thank you,

Pamela

No. Does the UK allow tourism here without a visa? Visa on arrival? If so, your husband's orders will suffice. You will not need any stamps to arrive here with those orders having your name in them. You will want to get a SOFA stamp once you are here though for multiple entry.

[ukreal1]

UK allows 90 days as a tourist, most people say SOFA stamp and name on orders is enough but someone had mentioned to me that I might need a VISA, the Military don't seem to know either way!

[thistle]

I'm British but am not married to military.
If you are getting sofa status stamped in your passport you will not be getting a visa as well. As far as I know, you cannot get a visa of any kind if you are sofa status. It is not necessary. So, don't worry.
I do have a student/friend who works in immigration office here in Naha and I can ask her if you are still worried.

[Tony Stacks]

The SOFA stamp on your passport acts as a visa and your dependant ID acts as a Geijin To. You are good in the country with these.

The reason you don't get a visa is because you are not a legal resident in Japan if you are SOFA status.