Military naturalization — US citizenship via military service

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

• USCIS Military Services: uscis.gov/military
• Military OneSource: militaryonesource.mil
• Veterans Affairs (for veterans benefits): va.gov
• AILA Military Assistance: contact local AILA chapter

Last verified: 2026-05-25.

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Related procedural information

• Consulate of your country in the US — passport renewal, consular ID, document apostille
• ITIN — file federal taxes without SSN — required regardless of immigration status
• USCIS form library — federal immigration forms (I-130, I-485, N-400, etc.)
• Find an immigration attorney — pro bono lists + AILA + BIA-recognized
• Know Your Rights — ICE encounters — constitutional protections

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