Going to Korea to be with my fiancee...?

Question

My fiancee is in the army stationed in korea. He wants me to move other there with him since he'll be there for a while and we can get married. i'm only 18 and i know i'll be sacrificing a lot if i go. will someone please help me on what exactly i need to do like how to get a passport and anything else i need to know or do before i go. we will be living outside the base, i guess. i'm not too sure. and yes, i know we're young but please be a little more supportive. i know it's gonna be hard but i love him and i want to be with him. we are not some young adults who are doing stuff on impulse so pls take this seriously.

my fiance is a pfc in the army and he is in yongsan, korea. he plans to stay for another year so altogether it will be 2 years. there is no doubt i would wait for him, but if possible, i would like to be with him.

Answer 1

Before you go, both you and your future husband need to do some research and preparation. Where is he stationed? Area I. II, III, IV? If he lives in Area I in Korea, I doubt you could live with him because it is a restricted area for family members to live. If he lives in Area II, III, IV then it's possible for you to live with him. They would have to counsel him first to make sure that he can support both of you. As for you, you would need a passport and a Visa. You would have to be married first to claim an A-3 status (military) for your Visa. When you arrive the first thing you need to do is apply for a SOFA stamp which can be taken care of at the Legal Office. After you get that get your Ration Control card so you can shop at the commisary. Then go to ACS (Army Community Service) they offer services to families that are arriving or departing Korea. They have a Lending Closet, you can borrow sheets, kitchen appliances, utensils, basically everything you need until you settle and buy things of your own. They also have AFTB (Army Family Team Building) it teaches you about the Army life, Employment Services, Volunteering, and many more.
There are a lot of non-command sponsor families in Korea. I've seen it all. There are disadvantages of being non-command like not being able to go to the military clinic if you are sick. You would have to go to a Korean hospital, the military clinic has a list of hospitals and clinics that you can go to. And you and your husband may not be able to drive but your husband can try and an Exception to policy to drive on post. There are buses and taxis you can take to get from point A to Point B. Employment may be an issue for you on base but you can work off-base and teach English. I heard they pay pretty good.
It's awesome experience. Why should you stay in the states? You should definately take the opportunity to experience another country and learn about their culture. Have fun! I did.

Answer 2

First of all, you won't be able to "move over there with him" because you are not married. It may not be possible for him to get permission to marry you in a foreign country, which must be given by his commanding officer. The most likely scenario is that YOU would be living off base and he would be living on base since he is only a PFC. As a PFC he will not have any time to be with you since you will not be allowed on base and he will have duties to perform. As a PFC he will make very little money which will make things harder on you both since there is some question if you will be allowed to get married and if he is not allowed to live off post you will not get a housing allowance or cost of living allowance.

A year is a very short time. If you really love each other, wait until he returns, get a job and save your money. Even if you get married at home while he is on leave, stay here and plan what you will do when he returns.

If you cannot be without each other for as little a time as a year, you should not be getting married to a military man in the first place. Think about this really hard, although I realize that is difficult to do at your very young age. Personally I would wait until I was at least 22 before getting married and he was at least a Sergeant.

Answer 3

He needs to go to JAG and get things squared away ASAP as well as talking to his 1SGT and/or CO! Then you can work on your end of things once he's actually in Korea - it may or may not be an unaccompanied tour but even if it is that doesn't mean your marriage is over. Just that you will have to be seperated and honestly it may take that long for all your papers to be in order. You can go to Korea on your own but will have no access to military health care, commisary/px, etc without orders.

Answer 4

First of all, does your fiancee have command approval to live off post? I am just asking because if he is like a PFC, he probably won't be able to live off post. Unless its just on the weekends and he still keeps his room in the barracks. I was stationed in Korea in 1991 and again in 1995, it was that way when I was stationed there. I believe you will need to get a passport (which is not difficult at all). How long are you planning to stay? Go to www.statedepartment.org or com and get the passport application. You can fill it out and then check out on-line local post offices in your area where you can get a passport. It will take 4-6 weeks to get it in the mail, unless you pay extra. You can even get a passport photo there, for an additional $10. I can't say that I know what it is like living off post in Korea, I only lived in the barracks. I think its fairly expensive to get an apartment. Depending on the area he is in. If you want any other info about Korea e-mail me. [e-mail]

Answer 5

Yongson is a pretty cool place considering its Korea. Try taking a two week vacation over there before making any long term plan. Passports are available at some Post Offices, check yours and good luck.

Answer 6

I don't really think that you should go to a different country when you're so young. Plus if he's in an army station he won't have as much time for you as you'd like. But if you're sure about it, then I guess so....

I'm from Korea and it's a pretty good country, especially in the better neighborhoods of Seoul (like NYC has Upper East, etc.). And it's not true that they eat dog there (at least I don't think so? I've never seen a dog-eating restaurant in my entire life, not even on TV). That's really gross.

Answer 7

Is he already over there? It might be difficult to join him, but I know it is possible. They will extend his duration there if you join him too, but you'll be together so that wont really matter. You'll be able to hop for nearly nothing (I think I paid like $15 when I hopped from Okinawa to the states (and it goes through Korea.)

Don't worry about what others have said about being able to afford it. You'll get COLA (cost of living allowence) and if you finance right you'll end up with more money than if you lived in the states. The shopping there is very inexpensive. You'll have a lot of fun.

Answer 8

Yeah, how about finances, who the hell's going to pay for this venture ? Are you going to work when you get there ? Where will you live? Can you afford the rent ? You are not covered by military health care, so do you have hospitalization ?

I'll tell you, what my mom told me. If this relationship is meant to be, it will survive the test of time ! Stay home and enjoy life as it was intended. You really don't need these kind of challenges at your young and tender age ! Neither of you have thought this thing through, I mean beyond the hormones banging into each other. Trust me darlin, even that doesn't last forever !

Answer 9

OH god, I've been to Korea. if your going to go I'll tell you ahead of time. the country smells pretty badly, in fact i rate it a 10 out of 10. if possible try to wait for him. but what do i know, love is a complicated thing. people would kill for it or even in your case give up there nose for a year. i don't know you or know where you live but how often do you get a chance to live in Asia or another country if you lived your whole life in the US. God speed and good luck.

Answer 10

First of all, be sure that you can go. Some assignments do not allow for spousal accompaniment. If you are really serious, get married first and if you are allowed to travel, it will be better for both of you if you travel as a military spouse. Korea is very different fromt he USA so make sure you do your homework on its culture, food, etc... You have to go to the Post office and get a passport application, and Walmart (or another store) to get passport photos. Passports are taking many months to be processed these days, so get on it. He may need to get one as well, his Command will know for sure. I am a Navy girlfriend of 3+ years, trust me on this.