International Students And The Selective Service: Who's Exempt?

The Selective Service System is a US military draft, also known as the US war draft registration, which requires almost all male US citizens and immigrants aged 18 to 25 to register. However, non-immigrant foreign nationals with valid student, visitor, tourist, or diplomatic visas are exempt from registering. Those who are exempt include individuals who are continuously institutionalized or confined from 30 days before they turned 18 until they turn 26.

International students with non-immigrant visas are exempt

The Selective Service System is a registration system for potential military conscription in the United States. In the event of a crisis requiring a draft, men would be called randomly based on their lottery number and year of birth. They would then be examined for mental, physical, and moral fitness before being deferred, exempted, or inducted into the Armed Forces.

While international students with non-immigrant visas are exempt, most other men in the United States are required to register, including citizens, dual nationals, parolees, undocumented immigrants, legal permanent residents, asylum seekers, and refugees. Even those who believe they will be exempt from serving due to mental or physical conditions are still required to register, unless specific criteria are met.

It is important to note that while international students on non-immigrant visas are currently exempt, there have been instances of automatic registration upon applying for a driver's license or due to errors in the system. If an international student receives a letter requesting registration, they should provide supporting documentation to prove their exempt status.

Registration is required for dual nationals

All men between the ages of 18 and 25 are required by law to register with the Selective Service System. This includes dual nationals, who must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, regardless of whether they live inside or outside the US. Dual nationals residing outside the US can register using a foreign address.

There are very few exceptions to this rule. Those on current non-immigrant visas are exempt from registering, as long as they remain on a valid visa until they turn 26. This includes men on student, visitor, tourist, or diplomatic visas. Additionally, men who were hospitalized or institutionalized before their 18th birthday and remained so until their 26th birthday are also exempt, as long as they had no breaks in institutionalization of 30 days or longer.

It is important to note that registration for the Selective Service System is not the same as being drafted into military service. In the event of a draft, men who are registered would be able to make a claim for deferments, postponements, or exemptions from serving.

Failure to register may result in being denied student financial assistance, federal job training, and most federal employment opportunities. However, there may be leniency if an individual can provide evidence that their failure to register was not intentional.

Exemptions for men with disabilities

International students on non-immigrant visas are exempt from registering for the Selective Service in the United States. However, they must remain on a valid visa until they turn 26. If an international student is a dual national, they are required by law to register with the Selective Service System within 30 days of their 18th birthday, regardless of whether they reside inside or outside the US.

Now, focusing on exemptions for men with disabilities:

The Selective Service System requires virtually all men to register, even those who believe they will be exempt from serving due to a disability. Men with disabilities that would not qualify for military service are still required to register. However, in the event of a draft, all men, or their parents or legal guardians, can submit a claim for exemption from serving.

To be exempt from registering for the Selective Service, a man must be placed in a hospital, nursing home, long-term care facility, or mental institution before his 18th birthday and remain there until his 26th birthday without any breaks in institutionalization of 30 days or longer. Alternatively, if he is confined to his home or someone else's home, including group homes, before his 18th birthday and cannot leave without medical assistance, and remains homebound until his 26th birthday, he is not required to register.

To claim exemption from serving in the event of a draft, men with disabilities will be examined for mental, physical, and moral fitness by the military before being deferred or exempted from military service. The Selective Service does not have the authority to pre-classify men for service if there is no active draft.

Documentation required for exemption

International students are exempt from registering for the Selective Service System if they are on a current non-immigrant visa. However, they must remain on a valid visa until they turn 26. If you have received a letter requesting registration, you must send copies of supporting documentation to prove your exemption.

When mailing your status information letter request form, you must provide the following supporting documents for the Selective Service to determine your exemption:

• Proof of your dates of confinement or institutionalization.
• Proof that you were continuously incarcerated or never released for any period of 30 days or longer.
• If you are claiming exemption due to a disability, you must provide proof of your circumstances.

If you are under 26, you are required to register within 30 days of entering the US or before you turn 26. You can register online or by filling out the SSS Form 1, which can be obtained from any US post office. If you are unable to access the website, you can visit the nearest US Embassy or Consulate to get registered. If you have a social security number, you are required to provide it. However, you are not required to have a social security number to register.

Registration required for immigrants

The Selective Service System requires virtually all men residing in the US to register, including immigrants and dual nationals. This is regardless of their status within the US, and includes US-born and naturalised citizens, parolees, undocumented immigrants, legal permanent residents, asylum seekers, refugees, and all males with visas of any kind which expired more than 30 days ago.

The only exceptions are non-immigrant men on valid student, visitor, tourist, or diplomatic visas, and men on active duty in the US. Those on non-immigrant visas are exempt as long as they remain on a valid visa until they turn 26. Dual nationals are required to register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, whether they live inside or outside of the US.

Registration must be completed within 30 days of an immigrant's 18th birthday, or 30 days of entering the US if they are between the ages of 18 and 25. Registration can be completed online, or by obtaining a Selective Service registration form from a US post office. It is possible to register at a US Embassy or Consulate for those unable to access the website.

Men can register as soon as they turn 17 years and 3 months old. Registration is required until the age of 26, after which it is too late.

Frequently asked questions