<b>YONGSAN GARRISON, Republic of Korea</b> - Garrison leaders and Korean immigration officials reaffirmed their commitment May 6 to continue providing Status of Forces Agreement and A-3 Visa stamp services to the Yongsan community through a satellite office on post.
In July 2007, the garrison opened the office in the Community Services Building in Bldg. S-4106 for the immigration office. Immigration officers provide stamp service the second and fourth Tuesday of each month from 2-5 p.m.
"We are very happy to continue to provide this service," said Won Hyung-gyu, chief of the immigration office, during a meeting with garrison leaders.
He said the service will increase to every Tuesday afternoon during June, July, August and September to accommodate the increase in newcomers during the peak moving season.
"Eventually I would like to have our staff here all day long," he said. "We will continue to work together to see if we can do this."
Anyone entitled to SOFA status - mainly Civilian employees and their Family members and Family members of active-duty Servicemembers - who entered the Republic of Korea with a passport must obtain a SOFA verification stamp in addition to a category A-3 Visa. Both must be obtained within 30 days after arriving in country.
Having the satellite office saves applicants from the trip to one of the immigration offices in Seoul, which could turn into an hours-long affair depending on traffic and lines.
"We genuinely appreciate the fact that you are providing this service to us," Col. Dave. Hall, USAG-Yongsan commander, told the officers. "It saves time and money; it's invaluable. We've come to rely on the service."
The office can process up to 50 passports per session on an appointment basis. Application forms are available at Army Community Service located in the Community Services Building. ACS representatives will pre-screen application forms to expedite the process.
For information, call ACS at 738-7505.
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