SOFA STATUS INFORMATION
SOFA status is not something that is granted or denied. It is based on belonging to one of the following categories:
(a) active duty service members in Japan, regardless of purpose or length of stay
(b) U.S. civilians who are in the employ of, serving with, or accompanying the military in Japan
(c) “dependents” of categories (a) and (b):
* spouse (same-sex or opposite-sex spouse)
* children, step-children, and adopted children under 21
* children, step-children, and adopted children over 21 (i.e., no maximum age) if dependent on the sponsor for over half their support
* parents and parent-in-law if dependent on the sponsor for over half their support and not ordinarily resident in Japan
Persons NOT qualifying for SOFA status:
o retirees unless they fall into either category (a), (b), or (c) above
o legal wards and foster children even if court-appointed
o parents or parents-in-law if ordinarily resident in Japan
o grandparents, regardless of support
o grandchildren, regardless of support
o family members of Art. XIV contractors
o non-DoD federal employees
o members of foreign armed forces
“dependent” for purposes of the SOFA is different than “dependent” for purposes of DoD regulations:
o being a SOFA “dependent” does not require that the person be “command sponsored”
o being a SOFA “dependent” does not require that the person have an “area clearance”
o being a SOFA “dependent” does not require DEERS eligibility
SOFA status gives an individual:
o visa exemption
o criminal jurisdiction procedures IAW Article XVII of the SOFA
o eligibility for a USFJ driver’s license (Commander may deny or place additional criteria on the application)
o eligibility for a USFJ vehicle registration (Commander may deny or place additional criteria on the application)
SOFA status, by itself, does not entitle an individual to:
o base access or use of base facilities
o exchange, commissary, or other similar benefits
o TRICARE enrollment
o DoD ID card
o military family housing
o OHA
o COLA
o funded travel
REFERENCES:
o Status of Forces Agreement
o USFJ Policy Letter 4-3
o USFJ Instruction 31-203
o USFJ Instruction 31-205