Can International Students Join the Army? (2024)

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By Maureen Malone Updated November 02, 2021

International students attending college in the United States on a student visa cannot enlist in the U.S. Army. On a student visa, an individual can enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to the start of the program and must leave the U.S. no more than 60 days after the educational program ends, advises the U.S. Department of State.

Tip

International students cannot join the U.S. Army unless they are permanent residents.

Requirements to Join the Army

Students attending school in the U.S. from another country likely have a student visa to stay in the country. Not only can students not join the Army, but they are also limited in what work opportunities they can pursue. A student visa permits individuals to work on-campus, advises U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Off-campus work is limited to certain training positions.

While individuals in the United States on a student visa cannot join the Army, other non-U.S.-citizens may be eligible if they meet certain criteria. Individuals must be at least 17 and no more than 35 years old, advises USAGov. Individuals who aren't citizens must have a permanent-resident or green card, be living in the U.S. and be fluent in both spoken and written English.

Military Service Naturalization

Permanent residents who serve in the military may be eligible for naturalization after a certain period of time. Individuals who served in the Army during peacetime for at least one year may apply for naturalization. Applicants must also demonstrate knowledge of U.S. government and history and adherence to the principles of the U.S. Constitution.

Individuals who served on active duty during a period of armed conflict are also eligible. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services specifies the dates of conflicts, including the period from September 11, 2001, through the time of this writing in 2021. In addition to submitting an application for naturalization, individuals must also take and pass a civics test, English language test and interview.

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), but it was suspended in 2016, advises the McClatchy DC Bureau. There are still pending applications in the MAVNI program, and many are calling for it to be reinstated.

Military School for International Students

Although international students may not be able to join the Army, they may still participate in some parts of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program or attend West Point Academy. One of the perks of the ROTC program is the scholarship opportunities that allow students to attend college and serve in the Army as an officer after graduation, notes GoArmy.

International students are not eligible for the scholarships as they are unable to serve in the Army. However, some ROTC programs do not have any requirements or pre-requisites to take ROTC classes other than being enrolled full time in the university, notes the University of Massachusetts Amherst. This only applies during the first two years of college. Once students are juniors, they must be contracted with the Army and committed to serving after graduation to continue with the program. Check with your school's ROTC program for permission to enroll in classes.

West Point also accepts some international students; however, graduates do not become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army, but rather return to their home country to complete their military service, notes the U.S. Army. An international student must meet similar requirements as students in the U.S. They must be sponsored by a national government official and be between the ages of 17 and 22, advises the United States Military Academy West Point.