Military Spouse from the Philippines

[MimiCB 0]

hello!
i am from the Philippines and i am new here on VJ.
i have ready through a number of forums and specific topics but got confused on what i really need to do to. there are articles that i think are already outdated. and at this point, i don't even know what i really need to do to get to the US. lol.
my story is. 
i am married to an active duty military. we got married in March 2016 in the Philippines. He's currently stationed in Germany but we have plans to go visit his family in the US this coming June. Also, i may end up staying there for a few months as he will be deployed around that time. He has just recently filed the I-130 on January 3rd in Frankfurt (after 2 rejects due to misinformation and fee increase). we were advised that it it takes 60 days to complete.
what should be the next step? we were told about SOFA card processing after it's approved but i don't know if that will allow me to enter the US to visit his family. 
any inputs and information is greatly appreciated. 

thank you!

[MsCompE 50]

The SOFA status he applied for you in Germany applies only to that country. It means you won't need a visa to enter/stay in Germany. But, it doesn't allow you to enter U.S., you will need to wait for the processing of I-130 or apply for another U.S. visa. 

[MimiCB 0]

Wow. That is definitely enlightening. All along he has thought that it works anywhere. 

Do you know if the SOFA card applies to all "Shengen-visa required" countries?

And do you know what type of visa we can apply if the I-130 is still pending? 

 

Thank you so much for your answer.

[MsCompE 50]

Here's a related link for entering other countries with SOFA Card. 

 

About other types of visa, tourist visa is applicable since it's a temporary visit to see his family. But I am not sure of the likeliness of being approve as you got a pending immigrant application. But I would recommend to wait for I-130. Let's see what others will say.

Edited February 6, 2017 by MsCompE

[MimiCB 0]

Thank you. We'll wait for the i-130 yet then. Hopefully the next step is not gonna take a while.

[Lenchick 133]

On 2/6/2017 at 2:26 PM, MimiCB said:

Thank you. We'll wait for the i-130 yet then. Hopefully the next step is not gonna take a while.

I was wondering if you already figured out what to do. If not then you will be entitled to receive SOFA card as soon as you get your i-130 appoved. You will need to go to the passport office on the base with the NOA (Notice Of Approval), there are some other application to filled out and signed by your husband. Then the agent will send the documents to the IMCOM headquarters and you will be mailed your card which you will pick up from the passport agent.

 

 

[Lenchick 133]

On 2/6/2017 at 8:33 AM, MimiCB said:

Wow. That is definitely enlightening. All along he has thought that it works anywhere. 

Do you know if the SOFA card applies to all "Shengen-visa required" countries?

And do you know what type of visa we can apply if the I-130 is still pending? 

 

Thank you so much for your answer.

No, SOFA is only for Germany if your husband is stationed in Germany. If the passport of your country  is not shengen visa free, then you can't travel to other Shengen countries. I mean technically you can't but practically you might within SHENGEN since you are in Shengen and there are no borders, but if you are to connect through another Shengen country in order to fly out of Shengen or fly into Shengen, the passport control guys will most likely give you hard time as they did me once, since then I never have connection flights in another Shengen country while making international trips.

[Kevin089 0]

As a SOFA card holder working in Germany for US Government if I get married to someone in/from Africa would she also be able to obtain a SOFA card to join me in Germany? Or the only way she can come is on a Schengen Visa?