Citizenship for Military Personnel

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces may be eligible for U.S. citizenship, without meeting all of the requirements typically required for citizenship. Certain laws apply to active-duty soldiers serving during a "period of authorized conflict". President Bush has declared the period since September 11, 2001 as a period of authorized conflict.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces, currently serving in active-duty may be eligible for naturalization if:

  1. They have, or are currently serving honorably in the U.S. Armed Forces during a period of authorized conflict; and
  2. They were either admitted as a lawful permenent resident after enlistment, or
  3. They were physically present in the U.S. at the time of enlistment, reenlistment, or induction.

Unlike other applicants for naturalization, a member of the U.S. Armed Forces does not need to be a permanent resident before applying for naturalization.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have already been discharged from service may be eligible for naturalization if:

  1. They served honorably for at least one year; and
  2. They are a lawful permanent resident; and
  3. They file within six months of being discharged.

Applicants for naturalization based on serving in the U.S. Armed Forces are exempt from paying the filing fee.