Going to the US and then applying to join the army can be a dream for an international student. However, if you are not a permanent resident there then can you join their army or not? It is a common question that as an international student you can have in your mind. Even if you can, there are some other questions that you can have in your mind such as how can an international student join the US army? How can you apply for the US army as an international student? What is the minimum duration of the contract for an international student who joins the US army? What is the requirement for the US army as an international student? How to serve in the US army international student? Does the US army sponsor an international student?
If you are an international student and want to get into the US army, then there is something you should know. You can say the answer is somewhere in between yes and no. Not everyone who has a VISA it doesn’t matter what type of visa they have can enlist in the US army. However, if you are a permanent resident there, then you can join the US army even if you are an international student.
So now you have got your answer regarding this matter. However, there are some more things that you have to know before you go for enlisting in the US army or you have lost your hope of joining there. Now here in this article, we will talk about them.
Can an International Student Join the US Army?
As we have said before, the answer to this question is in between no and yes. Even if you study in the US by having a student visa, they will not enlist you in the army program. For joining the US army, you need to have a green card or a permanent home there. Without having any of these, they will not allow you in the US army.
So if you want to join the Army, then you need to have a green card. But there are also some alternative ways that can help you to enlist in the US army. We will tell you about them below. However, the main condition for joining the army is being a permanent resident there and having a green card. You have to remember it.
Can I Join the U.S. Army Without a Green Card?
Usually every year there are more than 8000 green cardholders who try to join the military. But what about those people who want to join but can’t because they are non-residents? Because without any green card, they normally don’t enlist people in the US army.
However, some individual programs let non-US citizens enlist military. Some policies have been changed. They can even help you to let in even in a limited capacity.
These programs are,
- MAVNI Program
- DACA Program
MAVNI Program:
The full form of MAVNI as Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest. Usually what this program does is to let the no-residents join the US army. You can join is any profession based on the military if you have the skill. They even let medical professionals work there.
Unfortunately, in 2014, this program was suspended. Maybe in the future, it can get canceled.
DACA Program
DACA is known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals also works to help non-resident people to give a chance for work it helps people to get advanced educational opportunities. Sometimes they can give people the opportunity to serve in the US army.
Due to some changing rules, they may not apply to everyone. So you have to do some research regarding these programs. In this way, it will be easier for you to find out which one may work for you.
How Can an International Student Join the US Army?
There is no way except for having a permanent address in the US if you want to join the US army. So this is something you need to have before you think about getting into the US army. And also this is something that you have to keep in your mind always.
However, international students who are interested in serving in the military can apply for a program called MAVNI. With the help of this program, non-citizens can get a chance in the US army. However, you need to qualify for their requirements such as you to have all the legal documents and critical skills that are needed for a US army.
How Can I Apply for US Army as International Student?
As we have said before if you want to join the US army, you have to be a permanent resident here. And if you are not able to get a green card, then you can apply for a program called MAVNI. MAVNI can help you to get the chance of enlisting in the US army even if you are an international student based on your qualification and skill.
But it would be better for you if you can get a green card anyhow. Because it will help you to get into the army easily without making problems.
Joining the US army without a green card is tough. So the MAVNI program for international students would be a perfect option for them to get chosen. However, from now this program has be closed.
What Is the Minimum Duration of Contract for An International Student Who Joins the US Army?
Now you know whether an international can join the US army or not. Unless you are a permanent resident here you will not get a chance to join. So once you have joined in US army, you will have a minimum eight-year service obligation. This is something you must have done after enlisting in the US military. You have to commit yourself to eight years there.
Make sure you are a legal immigrant there. Because without it, it would be impossible for you to join the military. And there is no way they would allow you to be there even if you have the proper skills to do the job. And if you can join there, you will have a minimum duration of 8 years of the contract.
What Are the Requirement for US Army As An International Student?
There is only one requirement for an international student to join the US army. And it is to have a permanent address there. With the help of a green card, you can have permanent resident there. However, once you have fulfilled this requirement, there are also other things that you have to think about when you are applying.
You also have to meet all of the requirements that they need in a US army. You have to pass both physical fitness and medical exam. Once you have cleared these exams, it won’t be a problem for you to join there.
Can F1 Students Join the Military?
F-1 is a type of student visa that allows international students to study in the US. This one is certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. It id s non-immigrant visa. So international students can get this visa for their further education.
However, normally F-1 visa doesn’t allow students to join the military. But if you have all the skills that military people need, then you may receive an exception. However, if you apply using form N-400 for US citizenship, then you can join the military.
Does the US Army Sponsor International Students?
No. Unless you fulfill any requirements that qualify you to be in the US army, they will never sponsor international students. Because it doesn’t go well with their rules. So if you have a permanent resident only then you will be able to get all the benefits of being in the US army. And this is how you can get a sponsor.
Conclusion:
Being in the US army can be a dream for many people even if they are not US citizens. However, the US doesn’t allow anyone to be in the military if they don’t have a green card or citizenship. So to get citizenship you can apply there. So the answer to the question of an international student to join the US army would be both yes and no.