You would have seen from the CLO update released on Wed 13 Mar 19 that I was going to release information to all personnel on the way forward for the issue of the SOFA Stamps/NATO Travel Orders/Dependency Status Letter.
I can now confirm that commencing from Mon 18 Mar 19 the SHAPE NSE will now commence the issue of the above. It is kindly requested that all personnel in station are issued with their necessary documentation. We will commence issuing the documentation from 0930hrs from the NSE located in Building 309. The NSE staff will process the required documentation as swiftly as they can. We will operate on a drop and collect service; whereby you can drop all the family passports to the NSE staff and they will be processed and turned around within 24 hrs. I would like to ask all personnel that if they are travelling outside Belgium next week please make this known to NSE staff and we can facilitate a quicker turn around.
What is required from you?
The NSE are happy to receive all passports from either Head of Household or their Spouse/Partner. For those with children at Boarding School, can we please request the passport number and expiry date. We will issue the SOFA Stamp and that can be affixed to your child/ren passport on collection. We will also require the full details of your residence in Belgium including correct street/road name and area code.
From an NSE perspective it will be a very busy period and I would please ask for your patience. We will try and operate as efficiently as possible.
ISSUE OF INTERNATIONAL DRIVING PERMITS (IDP)
We have received a limited number of IDP which will now be issued as a Brexit contingency measure. Commencing Mon 18th March 2019 the SHAPE BFPO facility will issue IDP; detail on timings will follow. IDP for Mons-based personnel, regardless of place of work, will be available for issue on Mon 18th & Tue 19th March 2019 only. Other EJSU locations will be catered for at other times. Due to the limited amount of IDP available at this stage, there will be a limit of one per household – individual households will be able to decide who to nominate. Also, to make maximum use of the limited number of IDP available now, the strong advice is that if you are travelling to the UK over the next 2 weeks, you make your own arrangements to collect an IDP from a UK Main Post Offices.
What documentation do I need to get my IDP at SHAPE?
You need to bring a “passport” photo, your in-date driving licence and the fee (see below). The application must be made in person. However, Head of household/dependents can apply for each other and there is no need for both personnel to be present.
Payment for IDPs
At this stage only Military and UKBC personnel will be able to reclaim the cost of an IDP. The UK cost is £5.50 (6.33€ based on current GAR). This fee can be reclaimed by Military Personnel through JPA and by UKBC via the EJSU Cashier.
Further guidance can be sought from either Post Office and Hd NSE.
