Who qualifies for a no fee passport?

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Eligible family members of military personnel stationed in countries with Status of Forces Agreements can obtain a standard passport without charge. This streamlined process simplifies travel for dependents, eliminating passport fees and expediting international movement.

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No-Fee Passports for Family Members of Military Personnel

Eligibility:

Dependents of military personnel stationed in countries with Status of Forces Agreements (SOFAs) are eligible for no-fee passports. SOFAs are agreements between the United States and host countries that grant certain legal protections to U.S. military personnel and their families.

Countries with SOFAs:

The following countries have SOFAs with the United States:

  • Afghanistan
  • Albania
  • Australia
  • Bahrain
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Canada
  • Croatia
  • Djibouti
  • Egypt
  • Estonia
  • Germany
  • Greece
  • Honduras
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Iraq
  • Israel
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Jordan
  • Kosovo
  • Kuwait
  • Latvia
  • Lebanon
  • Lithuania
  • Luxembourg
  • Macedonia
  • Montenegro
  • Morocco
  • Netherlands
  • Niger
  • Oman
  • Pakistan
  • Philippines
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Qatar
  • Romania
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Serbia
  • Singapore
  • Slovakia
  • Slovenia
  • Spain
  • South Korea
  • Tajikistan
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • Uzbekistan

Types of Passports Eligible:

Eligible dependents can obtain a standard passport, which is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for children under 16.

Application Process:

To apply for a no-fee passport, dependents must submit the following documents:

  • Completed passport application form (DS-11)
  • A signed letter from the military member stating the country of assignment, SOFA status, and the dependent’s relationship to the military member
  • Proof of citizenship (e.g., birth certificate, naturalization certificate)
  • Two passport photos

Processing Time:

No-fee passports are typically processed within 10 business days.

Benefits:

Obtaining a no-fee passport for dependents provides several benefits:

  • Eliminates passport fees, saving money.
  • Expedites international travel by reducing the time it takes to obtain a passport.
  • Simplifies travel arrangements for dependents, making it easier for them to visit family and friends back home or accompany their military member on assignments.

Conclusion:

No-fee passports are available to eligible family members of military personnel stationed in countries with SOFAs. This streamlined process erleichtert travel for dependents, making it easier and more affordable for them to accompany their loved ones overseas.