OCONUS PCS Move Guide: What to Expect When Moving Overseas

OCONUS Means No MALT, Different Per Diem

Two allowances do the work once you land: the TLA calculator prices temporary lodging on arrival, and the OHA calculator what permanent quarters pay. For OCONUS moves, MALT (mileage reimbursement) does not apply for the transoceanic portion — you can't drive to Japan. You still receive per diem for your authorized travel days including the flight, but the mileage component doesn't exist for the ocean crossing. If you drive to your port of departure, that mileage is reimbursable at the current MALT rate ($0.235/mile as of July 1, 2026), but the overseas leg is covered through flight reimbursement.

Per diem rates overseas are location-specific — set per installation or city, not by broad region — and updated monthly by DTMO (for non-foreign OCONUS locations like Hawaii, Alaska, and Guam) or the Department of State (for foreign locations). They're generally higher than the standard CONUS rate, and can vary enormously even within the same region — a flat "Europe" or "Pacific" number would be misleading, since specific cities can differ by well over $100/day. Always look up the current rate for your specific destination using the official DTMO or State Department per diem tools rather than budgeting off a remembered regional figure.

Government Move Is Standard for OCONUS

Almost all OCONUS moves are government-arranged. Doing a PPM internationally is not feasible — international shipping logistics, customs requirements, and the sheer complexity of overseas freight make self-arranged international moves impractical. Your household goods will be split into Unaccompanied Baggage (UB) — a smaller, faster-shipped portion that arrives within weeks — and your main household goods shipment, which arrives via sea freight in 4–12 weeks or more depending on destination.

Plan your UB carefully. It should contain everything you'll need to function while your main shipment is in transit: basic kitchen items, enough clothing and linens for several weeks, workrelated items you need immediately, and anything your children need daily.

Germany

Germany is home to some of the most well-established U.S. military communities outside the United States, centered around the Kaiserslautern Military Community (KMC) — which includes Ramstein Air Base, Landstuhl Regional Medical Center, and several kasernes — as well as Stuttgart (Patch Barracks, Kelley Barracks), Grafenwöhr, and Wiesbaden.

The German driver's license test — available on base in English — is required if you want to drive off-base on German roads. It's harder than the American version and covers German traffic law specifically. Schedule it early after arrival.

Germany's SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) governs what U.S. service members can and can't do legally in the country. Read the SOFA overview provided at your gaining installation's in-processing — it covers everything from traffic stops to import rules for your vehicle to customs allowances for household goods.

Japan

Japan is one of the most rewarding overseas assignments for families who prepare for it. Major installations include Yokota Air Base, Yokosuka Naval Station, Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Camp Zama, Misawa Air Base, and multiple Okinawa installations (Kadena Air Base, Camp Foster, Camp Schwab, and others).

Pet import requirements for Japan are among the strictest in the world. The 180-day countdown to avoid quarantine on arrival starts after your pet's rabies antibody (FAVN) blood test is drawn, not from the day you start the process — and before that blood draw can happen, your pet needs a microchip and two rabies vaccinations spaced at least 30 days apart. Add it up and the realistic total lead time is closer to 7–8 months, not 180 days. If you have pets, start researching Japan's pet import process the day you receive orders. Missing the timeline means your pet sits in quarantine at your expense on arrival.

Housing off-base in Japan is available and many families prefer it for the cultural immersion. Work with your installation's off-base housing resources, which are typically well-developed at Japan installations.

South Korea

Camp Humphreys (Pyeongtaek) is now the largest U.S. military installation overseas, following the USFK consolidation from multiple smaller Seoul-area garrisons. Osan Air Base and Camp Casey are also significant assignments. Kunsan Air Base is a dependent-restricted installation with 12-month tours.</ p>

Korea tour lengths follow Tour Normalization guidelines: accompanied tours (with family) are 36 months and unaccompanied tours are 24 months at most installations. These are significant changes from historical norms and affect how families plan schooling and housing. Verify your specific tour length in your orders.

Camp Humphreys is a large, self-contained community with extensive on-base amenities, medical facilities, and schools. Off-base housing in Pyeongtaek is growing but less established than around Seoul-area installations.

Hawaii

Hawaii is classified as OCONUS for PCS purposes despite being a U.S. state. Government vehicle shipment applies, MALT doesn't apply for the transoceanic portion, and per diem rates reflect the higher local cost of living — check the current DTMO rate for your specific island/installation rather than budgeting off a flat figure. Major installations include Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks, Marine Corps Base Hawaii (Kaneohe Bay), and Tripler Army Medical Center.

Hawaii pet import is governed by the state's strict rabies quarantine program. Under the 5-Day-Or-Less program, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture requires your pet's rabies antibody (FAVN) blood sample to be received by the approved lab at least 30 days before arrival — but because the underlying rabies vaccination series and required waiting periods take time to complete beforehand, most families should realistically start the process several months before their move date. Start immediately when you receive orders if you have pets, and confirm current requirements directly with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture's Animal Industry Division.

Financial Preparation for Any OCONUS Move

OCONUS moves consistently involve significant upfront out-of-pocket costs even with full entitlements: pet transport, vehicle compliance modifications, furniture and appliances that don't make sense to ship, initial temporary lodging costs while household goods arrive, and costs of setting up a household in a new country. Maintain 2–3 months of emergency funds accessible before your move date. The OCONUS financial adjustment period is real, and it hits harder when you're not prepared for it.

Your housing allowance also changes shape overseas. BAH stops and OHA begins, and the two work differently: BAH is a flat rate you keep whatever your rent, while OHA reimburses your actual rent up to a ceiling set for your location and grade. Rent below the ceiling and you do not keep the difference — the unused portion is forfeited, which is the single most common surprise for first-time OCONUS families. A separate move-in housing allowance (MIHA) covers one-time costs like required fittings and nonrefundable move-in charges — but not a refundable security deposit, which is handled as an advance you repay rather than an allowance. Run your address and grade through the OHA calculator before you sign a lease, because the ceiling is what decides whether a given rent costs you anything at all, and how the overseas housing allowance works covers all three OHA components and the paperwork that starts them.

Related Articles

• How to Ship Your Vehicle During a PCS — OCONUS vehicle shipment process, VPC timelines, and what's not covered
• TLE vs TLA — How TLA works overseas and how long you can claim it
• BAH and OHA Explained — How your housing allowance shifts from BAH to OHA overseas
• Moving with Pets During a PCS — Quarantine requirements and what OCONUS moves mean for your animals
• 2026 PCS Reimbursements Guide — OCONUS per diem rates and TLA in the broader context