OCONUS PCS Guide
Germany, Japan, Korea, Hawaii, and all overseas assignments: housing, COLA, pet import, and country-specific requirements.
An OCONUS PCS move is a different category of complexity from a CONUS move. The financial entitlements change: you're no longer receiving BAH but Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA), which works on a reimbursement basis up to a rate ceiling rather than a flat monthly payment. You may receive COLA on top of that, which varies by country and changes quarterly. If you have pets, the import process for Japan or South Korea must start 7+ months before departure. If you have family members enrolled in EFMP, the gaining installation review is more involved because overseas medical networks are limited.
The country-specific guides below cover what actually changes between a CONUS and OCONUS move for the most common destinations: not the generic DoD pamphlet version, but the specific things that catch families off guard: what voltage adapters you actually need, how long the housing waitlist runs at each installation, what the local economy looks like for spouses seeking employment, and exactly which documents you need in hand before boarding.
OCONUS Destination Guides
Frequently Asked Questions
What is COLA and how does it work for OCONUS assignments?
Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) is a non-taxable monthly payment to service members stationed OCONUS to offset the higher cost of living compared to a stateside reference point. COLA is calculated as a percentage of the member's spendable income, adjusted by the State Department index for each duty station. OCONUS COLA rates change quarterly and can range from 0% to over 40% at high-cost locations like Japan.
Do I receive BAH or OHA at an OCONUS duty station?
At OCONUS locations, BAH is replaced by Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA). OHA covers actual rental costs up to a maximum rate for your pay grade and location, plus a utility/recurring maintenance allowance (MIHA/Utility). Unlike BAH, OHA is based on actual lease costs, you submit your lease for approval and receive reimbursement up to the ceiling.
How long in advance do I need to start OCONUS pet import paperwork?
It depends heavily on the destination. Germany requires a microchip and EU health certificate, plan for 6-8 weeks. Japan and South Korea require a 180-day rabies antibody titer test, meaning paperwork must start at least 7 months before departure (the titer test itself takes several weeks to process). Hawaii, while a US state, has strict quarantine rules and requires the 5-Day-Or-Less program with documentation started 90+ days before travel.
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