You will then work with your recruiter to fill out an application. In every branch of the Military, you will complete basic physical training and technical training that helps you become mentally and physically stronger. Timeframe to Get a Nonimmigrant U.S. Visa, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. United States Navy citizenship documents required for general enlistment for U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, resident aliens, and non-immigrant aliens. You can find more information on how to join the navy, where to contact a local recruiter and the requirements on the Navy website here. If the government approves your application then youll receive a permanent green card in the mail. Additional perks include generous stipends and salaries, and allowances for living expenses like rent/housing, utilities, and food. You should also know that the government doesnt like receiving I-751 waiver application from temporary green card holders. The following document would be required for enlistment: A Permanent Residence Card (USCIS I-551): Possession of an unexpired, properly documented USCIS I-551 card, issued on or after your 14th birthday would deem you citizenship eligible for enlistment. A conditional Green Card may be issued to people who apply for a Green Card due to their marriage to a US citizen or as an entrepreneur investing in the US. USA Green Card is an independent non-governmental organization and is not affiliated with the US Government. (See 328 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, or I.N.A., or 8 U.S.C. The U.S. Military wants foreigners to join! ALERT: In January, 2023, USCIS extended the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for petitioners who properly file Form I-751, Petition to Remove Conditions on Residence, or Form I-829, Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status for 48 months beyond the . Pizza Hut 1013 Austin Hwy. Some call it a temporary green card. Not everyone gets a conditional card, however. Press J to jump to the feed. To join the Army individuals must meet physical and medical requirements. Instead, in order to convert the Conditional Green Card to full permanent resident rights, you'll need to . These options are outlined above. You have a right to have the immigration judge reconsider your I-751, and you should take full advantage of this opportunity. F-1 visa to EB-1 visa. After reading this article, you'll be more prepared for immigration's questions for you. CAN I JOIN THE MILITARY WITH A CONDITIONAL GREEN CARD? When you are ready to join, you will be required to prove that you have a green card (or are a U.S. citizen). To join the Coast Guard you can call a recruiter office or fill out their application form on their website. Here you'll learn everything you need to be ready and pass your green card interview. Being a non-citizen will not stop you from joining and hopefully participating in that celebration some day. Information and support for service members and their families. Kindly please share if anyone divorced while on CPR can join ARMY reserve? I recently received my conditional 2 year green card. The U.S. Department of State issues U.S. passports to natives of the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa and Swains Island. The agencies use this number for all filings and to keep track of non-citizens. Unlike other naturalization applicants, you won't have to pay the N-400 application fee. The master hearing is the first hearing before an immigration court. At all points of registering and testing you must be honest about your immigration status. As previously mentioned, the Enlist Act aims to change all of that. To join the Army you will first take the ASVAB test. hope this helps, feel free to ask me any question if you need more clarification. If you demonstrate an intent to live abroad, immigration officials can decide that you gave up your residence and thus strip you of your green card. The Air Force also has strict vision requirements. A physical exam will also be conducted to make sure you are physically fit enough to serve. So, yes, foreigners are wanted and welcome to join the military. You can join the US military as soon as you receive the conditional green card. Get your green card to join the U.S. military. Only US citizens and lawful permanent residents can join the U.S. military. They will also complete a legal check that will look at traffic history, criminal history and citizen status. Additionally, a form I-751 waiver could trigger an in-person interview. For example, if the government approves a conditional green card in January 2020 and you divorce in August 2020 then you will still be in valid status for the full 2 years until January 2022. Instead of waiting until they've held their green card for five years before applying for citizenship, they can apply one year after receiving the green card. Legal enlistment in the U.S. Armed Forces is only possible if the United States has an agreement with your home country that permits it. For persons born in the geographical United States, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or the Northern Marianas Islands a valid birth certificate issued by a civil authority establishes U.S. citizenship. Get up to date information on Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) for Dreamers. Her reason is that to start the background/security check you have to be in the Navy which means you have to sign a contract. Will I get an I-751 interview to remove conditions on my green card? When do I apply for an extension of my conditional green card? After completing all entry processing, you will go into the Delayed Entry Program before leaving for Basic Military Training. Individuals must have a High School Diploma or GED. The attorney listings on this site are paid attorney advertising. I have heard that you should have no problem joining the Army or Navy, but you might have trouble joining the Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. You are also entitled to on-the-job education and training. In these cases, the government will look more closely at your application to remove conditions. Outside of providing documentation that supports your immigration status, signing up for the different branches of the Military as a non-citizen is the same as a citizen. For general enlistment, you must be between 17 and 39 years old. All Rights Reserved. In this article, we'll review how to know when USCIS delays processing and what to do about it. Age requirements for Officer programs vary.*. If you are still with your spouse, the immigration laws require you to file the I-751 jointly. Its important to know why immigration issues temporary green cards. Here, we discuss how to directly qualify to become a U.S. citizen without having to wait. Copyright 2023 MH Sub I, LLC dba Nolo Self-help services may not be permitted in all states. F-1 students can learn more here about whether they can work and where. They must, like everyone applying for citizenship, be at least 18 years or older, of good moral character, able to show knowledge about American history and government and the English language (written, spoken, and read), and demonstrate an attachment to the U.S. Constitution. Jig saw has a compact size for easy grip and maximum control Bright LED light on the jigsaw tool helps to illuminate dimly lit work surfaces Variable speed dial provide precise speed control All-metal, lever-action keyless blade change allows for quick and easy t-shank blade changes Integrated dust blower helps clear line of sight while cutting do gnats hate lavender Pride Elite Wheelchair . Specifically, a foreign national must meet the following eligibility requirements: 1. Operation Military Kids was founded to be a resource for teens and young adults who are interested in joining the military, but don't know where to begin. Instead, you must use one of the waiver options to remove the conditions of your green card. The job and leadership skills you will learn can be highly valuable to you in the civilian sector after you end your military duties. A foreign national seeking to join the military must be legally present in the US and able to provide a passport, I-94 card, I-797 form, employment authorization document or other government issued documents proving legal presence in the United States. In order to join as a non-citizen you must establish a residence and have a valid United States and Immigration Services Alien Registration Card USCIS Form I-151/551 (Green Card). The only restrictions that were mentioned by the Air Force recruiter were that non US citizens joining the Air Force cannot be an officer. One of the most important benefits is foreigners linguistic and cultural skills and knowledge, which are much more diverse than those of U.S. citizen recruits. Typically, you have to wait five years to apply for citizenship, and sometimes three. Various periods of wartime count, most recently including the time that began September 11, 2001 and will end whenever the U.S. President announces a cease to the hostilities. Learn about the penalties for deportations, and how you can still get your papers. But get this, She said even if I wanted to enlist as a reservist I would have to sign that contract. Couples generally must meet a number of requirements, such as proving the authenticity of their marriage, earning at least 100% of the poverty guidelines for your household size. (See the U.S. Code of Federal Regulations at 8 C.F.R 328.1.). This means the government will try to remove you from the U.S. Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlement (SAVE) Program: The SAVE program is used by Navy Recruiting Command (NRC) to verify an aliens immigration status based upon USCIS documents and information provided by applicants/recruiters. Learn more below about conditional green card interviews.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'immigrationcases_org-large-mobile-banner-1','ezslot_11',197,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-immigrationcases_org-large-mobile-banner-1-0'); After you file an I-751, the government may schedule you for an interview to remove conditions on your temporary green card. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. You must be at least 17 years old at the time of enlistment and no older than 29 by the start of training. Read more on the Naturalization Through Military Service website. Enlisting With a Green Card A green card by itself does not let you join the U.S. Army. This means that they must be sponsored by the military member, who must meet certain income requirements and must file a visa petition on their behalf. #USMilitary #GreenCardForMilitary #MilitaryService #USArmy #GreenCardLottery. The age range is 17-31, (17 with parental consent). An individual who joins the US Army as a non-citizen cannot hold a position as a police officer or any position that requires them to hold intelligence that is not public knowledge. As a non-citizen, you must have entered the country on a permanent visa or have an Alien Registration Green Card. If your conditional green card case is strong, however, then the interview should be a pleasant and easy experience.if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'immigrationcases_org-large-mobile-banner-2','ezslot_14',198,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-immigrationcases_org-large-mobile-banner-2-0'); Its important to note that the government will not necessarily schedule an interview if you filed for an I-751 waiver. If you are serving or have served in the U.S. armed forces and are interested in becoming a U.S. citizen, you may be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Exactly how long depends on whether you serve during peacetime or during a war. These include being able to read, write, and speak English, having good moral character, being able to pass a test on American history and government, and (after approval) swearing an attachment to the U.S. Constitution. We and our partners use cookies to Store and/or access information on a device. This is related to the question above, as DACA recipients who want to join the military are having a hard time doing so. You must be categorized as a "legal permament immigrant," with permission to work in the U.S. That means the individual must have an I-551 (Permanent Residence Card). The green card has to be good for the duration of the entire 4 year enlistment. Here's how. They will, however, be afforded all the same military pay, allowances and benefits of U.S. citizen serving in the same billet (rank, location, assignment, etc.). You have to send not just the form I-751, but also supporting documents and applicable fees to USCIS. 4. The total government fee comes out close to $1,200 including $535 for a USCIS filing fee, $445 for an NVC fee, and $220 for a USCIS immigrant fee. You'll need to apply using USCIS Form N-644. The applicants' service must have been considered honorable. The overall benefits that the Military offers are not available in most civilian positions. Enlisted Marines have 3 contract options that include set amounts for the number of active and inactive years. If the immigration officer has serious doubts about your case then the I-751 interview questions could seem very harsh. I know that the Navy, Marines, and army can enlist with 2 year green cards BUT Air Force requires a 10 year green card. You must. The way the Govt. Any time spent on a conditional card counts towards the three- or five-year period. You must be a U.S. citizen or Resident Alien in order to join the Coast Guard. It seems like the recruiters don't know for sure either. ;/. immihelp.com is private non-lawyer web site. Start the process to get the 10 year green card, go get some college credits and see how life treats you. These can be frustrating, but here are some common causes of delays and how to fix them. Instead, you must use one of the waiver options to remove the conditions of your green card. You cannot have vision worse than + or 8.0 and this may be more strict for specific positions. How to Join the US Military as a Non-Citizen. You will have to complete a physical exam as well. Applicants under this section of the law must meet most of the same requirements as any other applicant for naturalization. Mr. Knowitall. Do you know that Air Force News reports that 35,000 non-citizens are serving actively in the military and 8,000 join foreigners join it annually? Note 3: Birth certificate issued with "Baby Boy" or "Baby Girl" instead of a given name is not valid for enlistment purposes. Text HELP for help. 3. However, you will not be held to the usual requirements regarding age and length of time as a permanent resident living in the United States. In addition to the fixed government costs, you might also have to incur additional costs which vary depending on your situation. Naturalization Certificate (USCIS N-550/N-551/N-570) or Certificate of Citizenship (USCIS N-560/N-561): A valid Naturalization Certificate or Certificate of Citizenship issued by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) establishes your enlistment eligibility as a naturalized citizen of the United States. The key point is that you will need to have your green card (U.S. permanent residence visa) to join. The Navy will complete a medical and physical check. Related Article: Navy Enlisted And Officer Ranks And Pay. If you filed an N400, you will need to stay on top of the status of your citizenship application. A new USCIS I-551 must be obtained prior to shipping any Future Sailor DEPped with a SAVE printout. Conditional green cards are only valid for two years, and standard green cards must be renewed every 10 years. You must be accessed onto active duty (go to boot camp), or be reported as a Reserve Component gain, prior to the expiration date of your USCIS I-551. All Rights Reserved. It must recruit hundreds of thousands of people every year to always have sufficient personnel in the event armed conflicts require deployment of troops. But keep reading: The next section of this article describes extra benefits to those who served during wartime. The Air Force has strict height and weight requirements (found here).