Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 10/20/2010

Question
Hi, & thanks for reading! I wanted to a plan a visit to see my fiance who is in the army, he lives on base in Germany. I'm not sure if he lives in the barracks or somewhere else on base. On this visit, I plan to marry him. After we get married, could i stay with him? Or is there a time limit? Thank you so much for any information!

Answer
Kim:
The answer to your question is kind of involved so I'll explain as best I can and if you have further questions please follow up with me.

First, assuming your future husband is enlisted he is most likely living in the barracks and, therefore, not authorized overnight visitors.  This means during this visit you will have to stay in a hotel (he can stay there with you).  The only time limit on your visit will be the standard 90 day visitors' visa authorized by Germany. Seeing as you are not married yet, German immigration regulations apply.  This is where the complications come in.  Once you get married your husband will need to start a lot of paperwork in an application for command sponsorship.  Command sponsorship is a situation unique to overseas assignments that essentially gives you most of the same rights (immigration, customs, taxes) as your military husband.  You need this in order to legally live in Germany past 90 days and for him to get off post housing allowance and other benefits.  Your staying there this time is probably a long shot as it takes a while to process all of the paperwork and get you the stamps needed to make you legal in Germany for  the duration of your husband's tour. Also, by command sponsoring you he will incur an additional one year obligation there in Germany.  The best course of action is for him to get the packet prepared before you visit him (he can have most of the paperwork filled out) and then once you get the marriage certificate and final documents together (more if you have kids that he will be assuming a sponsorship role over) .. he can turn it in.  The time on this paperwork varies but it is rarely a quick process.  I would estimate 6-10 weeks.  The best thing for you to do would be to get married, enjoy a honeymoon, and then return to your home in the US to get everything situated.  Once you get the command sponsorship paperwork you'd be better off returning.  This will be less costly for you since it wouldn't involve your husband and you paying for lodging out of pocked until he's given the proper benefits for it.  I hope this helps and please dont hesitate to ask more questions if you need.