How long does command sponsorship take to get accepted for Germany?

Amanda Taylor — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 20:09:53 -0400

How long does command sponsorship take to get accepted for Germany? My husband turned in the paperwork a month ago and nothing yet. I am not on EFMP as I have no medical issues.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2023 8:13 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 20:13:14 -0400

Contact one of these three gentlemen... they are very knowledgeable in Military related questions/issues.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 22 at 2023 9:25 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 22 Oct 2023 21:25:46 -0400

I believe before a family can be approved for Command Sponsorship, each family member must complete an EFMP Screening of their medical records to ensure that the new unit can support any of the family’s needs. I think that process can take up to 90 days. Also Command Sponsorship of dependents is not guaranteed. COL Randall C. can you help with this question.

Response by COL Randall C. made Oct 23 at 2023 10:27 PM

COL Randall C. — Mon, 23 Oct 2023 22:27:20 -0400

Amanda Taylor, it could take as long as three months for an approval/denial to be issued which is why they always recommend it be initiated as soon as possible (assuming that the packet is accurate and complete).

From your message to me, your husband is already in country, so it should cut down on the processing time (still could take 4-6 weeks if all goes well).

I don't know if someone has explained all the steps AFTER Command Sponsorship is approved, but one of the 'long poles in the tent' on time is that you'll need to obtain a no-fee passport with a SOFA stamp. Generally, it was "4-6 weeks" to have a no-fee passport processed (the Department of State put out at the beginning of last year that it's now 6+ weeks) unless you pay to expedite it, and you can't apply for one until Command Sponsorship is approved.

One thing that you can start on now (if you don't have one) is a tourist passport. You can only use the no-fee passport for your travel entering Germany and not for personal travel (some people 'roll the dice', but if you come up 'snake eyes' because a border control agent reads the amendment page, they won't let you cross the border with it). If you plan on leaving Germany to visit other countries while overseas, you'll need a tourist passport. That can take up to 12 weeks normally - less if you pay to have it expedited.
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* https://media.defense.gov/2019/Aug/06/ [login to see] /-1/-1/0/AER55-46.PDF
* DoDI 1315.18 (just for reference) - https://www.esd.whs.mil/portals/54/documents/dd/issuances/dodi/131518p.pdf
* https://www.army.mil/article/38435/valid_passport_the_key_to_summer_travel

AER55-46.PDF