CORE CHANGES

Personnel sponsoring non-exempt visitors must now pre-register them at the Visitor Control Center (VCC) at least 30-days prior to their visit.

Updated Base Access Procedures

The 86th Security Forces Squadron has implemented updated base access procedures at the Ramstein Installation Visitor Control Center to address potential security concerns arising from reactive vetting.

The access control policy for personnel will be enforced as follows: Personnel sponsoring persons from non-exempt countries onto 86th Airlift Wing installations must comply with pre-registration requirements and obtain an approved exception to policy for personnel who return with derogatory information. The sponsor must submit an ETP to the 86 AW Defense Force commander, or their designee, in accordance with local policy. For OCP who do meet requirements, the VCC is authorized to issue a pass in accordance with AER 190-16 and local guidance.   

Citizens from countries not listed in the exemption categories below are subject to necessary background checks, including checks conducted for force protection purposes. Such citizens should be presumed to be a non-U.S. person unless specific information to the contrary is provided by the sponsor and obtained by the Ramstein VCC.

 

WHO IS EXEMPT? — NO PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIRED

U.S. Citizens 

All U.S. Citizens are exempt from background check requirements.

Natural-Born Citizens of: Germany l United Kingdom I Canada I Australia I New Zealand   

Must not retain citizenship of another country.

Foreign Government Representatives (Escorted)

The visitor is a representative of a foreign government who is being escorted onto the installation for the purpose of conducting official duties with Service Component, EUCOM, subordinate or component command staff within the KMC. 

Previously Vetted Visitors (within 1 calendar year)

As of 4 May, 2026, if the visitor has undergone the necessary background checks through the Ramstein VCC and has been granted access to the installation, the vetting is valid for one calendar year.

NATO Military Members on Official Orders

Members of a NATO military service traveling on NATO orders and conducting official business as determined by the sponsoring organization on the installation. 

Participant of an Official Event

The visitor is participating in an official event sponsored by a DoW unit or mission partner (AAFES, DeCA, DoWEA, etc.) and is registered on an approved Installation Access Request via the 86 SFS Visitor Control Center. Official events may include conferences, official ceremonies, site visits, or other activities related to ongoing operations and activities of the sponsoring DoW unit, mission partner, and/or a U.S. Government agency.

Contracted Personnel at Large Vehicle Inspection Points

Contractors, large commercial vehicle delivery drivers or other contracted individuals conducting official business within the installation who travel through a large vehicle inspection point and who possess the necessary documentation allowing access through those points of entry.

Important Note for School Events

While children from non-exempt countries attending supervised school events are exempt, their visiting parents, teachers, and chaperones ARE NOT EXEMPT and must follow the standard process.