Military service is a fast path to US citizenship for both:

  • LPRs (green card holders) who join the military
  • Non-citizens with no immigration status (in some special circumstances)

Two paths

Section 328: Peacetime naturalization (most common)

For LPRs in armed forces during peacetime:

  • Must have served honorably for 1 year or more
  • Can apply WHILE serving (no need to wait for discharge)
  • All civilian naturalization requirements still apply
  • But residence/physical presence rules are RELAXED (military service counts)

Section 329: Wartime naturalization (fastest)

For people serving during specifically designated “periods of hostility”:

  • No residence requirement
  • No physical presence requirement
  • No green card requirement (you can be in the military WITHOUT being LPR — though this is rare in current era)
  • Application fee waived (Form N-400 + N-426)
  • Naturalization can happen anywhere — including overseas

Current Designated Periods: Since September 11, 2001 (still ongoing for some purposes). Past: WWII, Korean War, Vietnam War, Persian Gulf War.

Requirements (Section 328 peacetime path)

  1. 18 years or older
  2. LPR (green card holder) — must have it BEFORE applying
  3. Honorably served in US Armed Forces for 1+ year
  4. Currently serving or discharged within 6 months of filing
  5. Of good moral character (last 5 years)
  6. Pass English + civics tests
  7. Willing to take Oath of Allegiance

The process

Step 1: Get Form N-426 from military

  • N-426 = “Request for Certification of Military or Naval Service”
  • Completed by your unit/command
  • Verifies your service dates and character of service

Step 2: File Form N-400

  • Form N-400 (Application for Naturalization)
  • Fee: $760 (sometimes waived for military)
  • File with USCIS Phoenix Lockbox (for military)

Step 3: Biometrics + interview

  • Expedited compared to civilian path (typically 6-12 months total)
  • Can take place at military base
  • Interview can be at consulate/embassy if deployed

Step 4: Oath of Allegiance

  • Can be in person or via video conference (deployed)
  • Can be performed by military officer
  • Naturalization certificate issued

MAVNI program (Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest)

The MAVNI program allowed some non-citizens without LPR status to enlist:

  • Required: F-1 student, H-1B, TPS, DACA, asylee, U-visa, T-visa, or other temporary status
  • Enlisted in Army (active or reserve)
  • Could naturalize via Section 329 (wartime path) after enlistment

Current status: SUSPENDED since 2017. The program was paused due to security review requirements. As of 2024, MAVNI is not accepting new applicants.

Posthumous citizenship

If a non-citizen military member dies in service during designated period of hostility:

  • Posthumous citizenship granted under Section 329(a)(2)
  • Family members may also be eligible for derivative benefits
  • Naturalization documents issued to surviving family

Spouses and children of military

Form N-400 for spouse of US military member

  • LPR spouse of US citizen military member can naturalize after 3 years (instead of 5) under accelerated path
  • Even if deployed overseas

Form N-600K for children abroad

  • Children of military citizens born or living abroad can apply for citizenship documents

Common errors

  • Filing N-400 before completing 1 year of service (peacetime path)
  • Missing N-426 from military command
  • Misrepresenting service character — can lead to denaturalization
  • Confusing MAVNI (suspended) with regular military pathway

Why this is valuable

  • Fastest path to US citizenship
  • Sometimes available without prior LPR
  • Family benefits
  • Strong moral character presumption

Resources

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

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General procedural information based on official sources. Not personalized legal advice.