Pictures

 By @Andrew Cole

 DMZ
 By @Andrew Cole

 DMZ
 By @Andrew Cole

   Busan subway
By @Andrew Cole

 

  By @Andrew Cole and I couldn't help but photo edit it 

   By @Andrew Cole

 By @Andrew Cole

SOFA stamps and ration cards

You will need to get a SOFA stamp 1-3 days after your arrival in Korea. All you have to do is go to MPF and they will help you out with this. Make sure to register in the DBIBS system while you are there. And make sure to get your ration card for the commissary too!

Clinic and Health concerns

A non-command sponsored spouse and other non-command sponsored dependents use the clinic on a first come first serve basis. Non-command sponsored dependents are automatically enrolled into Tricare Prime. There is a 20% deductible when you see a physician off base. You can use the ER on base whenever you want to though. It is easier to get a child in to see a pediatrician on base though because there are not as many children living on base. The dental clinic is harder to get into though. You have to continue to call and see if they have openings; eventually they will fit you in.

Off base housing

     The base requires any military member living off base to go through a real estate agent. Your real estate agent is the go between between you and base housing. They will be the ones to vouch for you when you have payed your rent etc. The housing office will have to come and inspect your living quarters before you are approved and you can get an advance in pay for rent and deposit money.

     There are manny real estate agents near the base that are very willing to help with housing arrangements. All it takes to find a real estate agent is to walk a few hundred yards off base. Two of the agents right off base are Happy Realty and Korea Realty. Manny of the apartments are furnished. My husband did some searching and found that utilities were often included in the rent which, for an E5 Airman, means an extra $700 a month. This number will fluctuate as the utility allowance is based on an average of what people pay for utilities in this region. Know that if you have to pay utilities they are based on increments not paid by kilowatt hour like here in the USA. So, for instance you may pay 200KW for you first increment of electricity but, if you go over your allotted increment your next increment will be double that price so, you automatically pay 4000KW regardless of weather or not you have used that increment or not. From there it doubles again so, 800KW and it continues to double. None the less, your bill can get quite expensive!

Make sure to tell your real estate agent what you need. If you see something missing that you feel will make you more comfortable ask and they can often negotiate prices.

Also, if you live off base make sure to stock water and canned goods. During monsoon season the power can go out or the water turned off.  During the winter pipes can freeze so, water won't be available. Also routine cleanings of the pipes will cause the water to get shut off. When the pipes are being cleaned it takes about 6 hours for the water to come back on again.

Official paperwork for non-comand sponsored spouces

First things first. You need a passport. You can take a trip to your local post office for the application or you can submit one online at the link provided previously (click on the first mention of the word passport). There are instructions with the applications that you turn in to the USPS but, you can also turn in your application online where a passport specialist will walk you through the rest of the process. If you are living OCONUS you can have your significant other bring you to the passport office for a military issue passport. They make them for civilians too they just are not 10 year passports like the civilian issue passports. Providing an ID and a proof of citizenship are two of the requirements for obtaining a passport.

Next you will have to get a visa (permit) from the Korean government to enter there country. The military visa for Korea is an A-3 visa. According to my friend, whom I call Dianna on this blog, you can be in Korea for 30 days without a visa. You can apply for a visa at the MAC terminal. A visa can also be submitted by going to the website (click on the underlined  word "visa" above) and filling out the required paper work. You can also go to the Korean consulate to apply for a visa. All you will need is a set of orders and your marriage certificate. You do not need to be on the orders (as a command sponsored spouse). All in all not too much work just a bit of patience.

If you are a citizen of the USA you do not need a visa to enter the country of South Korea. You can be in country for 90 days without a visa. Once you get to Korea, you can apply for a A-3 visa at the Suwon Branch of the Korean Immigration office. It is located at the passenger terminal of Osan AFB. The A-3 visa is valid for 5 years.

Fun links about Korea

Eat your Kimchi is a fun video blog about a Canadian couple who lives in Korea and their awesome adventures there. Check it out! My kids loved there video on Everland theme park. :)

More links to come!!

Customs information

I am currently resarching the restrictions going through customs from Korea but, here is a link from the US department of homeland security's website on what things must clear customs. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/restricted/restricted_goods.xml

Here is a list of personal items you might think about before bringing them home. http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml These are restrictions that apply to anyone regarless of what country they are entering the US from.

Here is a link with vehicle compliance regulations http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/clearing/automobiles.xml


Amimals that are on the endangered spices  list can not be imported or exported. Shellfish, marine animal, crustations, coral and the like MUST be declared through the US fish and wildlife service and a permit is required . Here is a quote from the code of Federal Regulations (referring to the exceptions to import declaration requirements and regarding the importation of animal fur/parts) And I quote:


(2) Wildlife products or manufactured articles that are not intended

for commercial use and are used as clothing or contained in accompanying 
personal baggage, except that an importer or his/her agent must file a 
Form 3-177 for raw or dressed furs; for raw, salted, or crusted hides or 
skins; and for game or game trophies; and
    (3) Wildlife products or manufactured articles that are not intended 
for commercial use and are a part of a shipment of the household effects 
of persons moving their residence to the United States, except that an 
importer or his/her agent must file a declaration

For a more intensive look at the regulations regarding import/export of animal goods follow this link http://www.fws.gov/permits/ImportExport/ImportExport.shtml