Joining The National Guard As An International Student

International students on an F-1 visa in the US cannot join the US Army or any of its branches, including the National Guard. However, there are some options for non-US citizens to join the military, such as the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, which was suspended in 2016 and is no longer accepting new applicants. This program allowed certain non-citizens with critical skills, such as physicians, nurses, and language experts, to join the US military. While international students cannot join the US military directly, they may be able to participate in certain Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) programs or attend West Point Academy, although they will not become commissioned officers in the US Army upon graduation.

Can an international student join the National Guard?

Student visa holders cannot join the US Army

International students on F-1 visas cannot join the US military, including the US Army, without permanent residency or citizenship. While there are programs like Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) that allow certain non-citizens to join the US military, they are not always applicable to student visa holders.

The MAVNI program is designed for non-citizens who are legally present in the United States and possess critical skills, such as expertise in specific languages with associated cultural backgrounds, or qualifications in fields like medicine and nursing. Immigrants qualifying for the program must also demonstrate proficiency in English and agree to work for the Army for four years. However, this program has faced legal challenges and congressional inquiries, leading to its discontinuation.

To join the US Army, one must be a US citizen or a permanent resident on the path to citizenship. This typically requires a green card or participation in a program like MAVNI. While the US Army provides a path to citizenship, it is not a means to obtain a visa or enter the country. Individuals seeking to join the military must also meet age requirements, pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam, and possess at least a high school diploma or equivalent.

It is important to note that the French Foreign Legion is the only military force that exclusively recruits foreigners into their ranks. However, as France is a NATO ally of the United States, this could be a potential alternative for international students seeking military service.

Non-US citizens may be eligible if they meet certain criteria

While individuals on a student visa cannot join the US Army, other non-US citizens may be eligible if they meet certain criteria. To be eligible, non-US citizens must be permanent residents or have a green card, be at least 17 years old, and be fluent in both spoken and written English. They must also be living in the US.

One way for non-US citizens to join the military is through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program. This program allows certain non-citizens who are legally present in the US and hold critical skills, such as physicians, nurses, and experts in certain languages with associated cultural backgrounds, to join the military. However, it is important to note that the MAVNI program was suspended in 2016, and it is unclear if it has been reinstated.

International students may also be able to participate in some parts of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program or attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. While West Point accepts some international students, graduates do not become commissioned officers in the US Army but instead return to their home country to complete their military service.

Additionally, non-US citizens can join the Army Reserves or Army National Guard with a green card after their junior year of high school through the Split Training Option. This option allows individuals to go to Basic Combat Training (BCT) during the summer, return to high school, attend monthly training, and then go to Advanced Individual Training (AIT) after graduation.

International students can join the Army with a green card

International students on an F1 visa in the United States are generally unable to join the U.S. Army. However, non-U.S. citizens may be eligible to join if they meet certain criteria. To join the U.S. Army as a non-citizen, you must be at least 17 years old and have a permanent resident card (a green card). Additionally, you must be fluent in both spoken and written English, and you must be living in the U.S.

It is important to note that the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, which allowed certain non-citizens with critical skills to join the U.S. military, was suspended in 2016. While there are still pending applications, the program has not been reinstated.

International students may still participate in some parts of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program or attend West Point Academy. However, graduates of West Point will return to their home country to complete their military service and will not become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.

If you are an international student interested in joining the U.S. Army, it is recommended that you speak with a recruiter or an immigration attorney to discuss your specific situation and explore your options.

The MAVNI program allows certain non-citizens to join the US military

International students on an F-1 visa are not eligible to join the US military, including the National Guard. However, international students may still participate in some parts of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program or attend West Point Academy.

Previously, there was another option for non-citizens to join the military and earn citizenship through their service. This program was called Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI). MAVNI is a recruitment program by the United States Department of Defense, through which legal non-immigrants with certain critical skills are recruited into the US armed forces. To be eligible for the MAVNI program, applicants must be in one of the following immigration categories or authorized stays at the time of enlistment:

• Person granted deferred action by USCIS under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) policy
• Nonimmigrant in any of the following categories: E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, TC, TD, TN, U, or V

The DOD requires most applicants for MAVNI to have been in a valid status in one of the eligible immigration categories or authorized stays for at least 2 years immediately preceding the date of enlistment. The DOD may exempt or waive the 2-year requirement for certain applicants, such as DACA recipients. Under DOD guidance, most applicants to the MAVNI program under a qualifying nonimmigrant category at the time of enlistment must not have been absent from the United States for more than 90 days during the 2-year period immediately preceding the date of enlistment.

MAVNI was suspended in 2016 and, as of 2023, is still closed indefinitely to new recruits. However, there are still pending applications in the MAVNI program, and many are calling for it to be reinstated.

International students can participate in some parts of the Army ROTC program

International students on a student visa are generally not eligible to join the U.S. Army. However, they may be able to participate in some parts of the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) program. The ROTC is a college program that prepares students to become officers in the U.S. Army, offering mentorship, shadowing opportunities, and real-world leadership training.

International students can participate in the ROTC program for up to two years without pay or scholarships. To be eligible for scholarships, students must be U.S. citizens. However, some ROTC programs only require that students be enrolled full-time in the university to take ROTC classes. These classes typically involve one elective and one lab per semester, along with physical and field training.

ROTC scholarships can cover up to the full cost of tuition and include monthly allowances for personal expenses and books. In exchange, students agree to serve in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard after graduation. The length of service varies depending on the scholarship, ranging from four years of full-time employment to eight years of part-time employment.

It is important to note that international students who wish to become officers in the U.S. Army must obtain U.S. citizenship. The previous Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program allowed non-citizens to join the military and earn citizenship through their service, but it was suspended in 2016.

Frequently asked questions