Nationality

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I'M A BRITISH CITIZEN

As a British Citizen, British Subject under the Nationality Act 1981 or British Protected Person, you're able to apply to join the Army.

I'M AN IRISH CITIZEN

As an Irish Citizen, you can apply to join the regular Army. If you're hoping to join the Army Reserve, you need to be already living in the UK.

I'M FROM THE COMMONWEALTH

The Army currently offers limited places for Commonwealth applicants. You don't require UK residency.

I'M A REFUGEE OR ASYLUM SEEKER

Unfortunately, you're not able to join the British Army.

JOINING FROM THE COMMONWEALTH

There are currently limited places being offered to candidates from Commonwealth countries. The Army is focusing initially on processing the Commonwealth candidates who have already applied.

It is the responsibility of individual applicants to ensure that they have permission to be in the UK. This must be valid for the entirety of the recruitment and selection process up until the point they are enlisted.
All applicants must have a passport that is valid for at least 2 years from your start date in the Army.

COMMONWEALTH COUNTRIES

Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei Darussalem, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland (eSwatini), Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia.

BEFORE YOU JOIN

Until the day you join, you're responsible for making sure that your visa is valid and you're in the country legally.

If your visa runs out, you will need to pay for yourself to go back home to apply for a new visa, before carrying on with your application.

WHEN YOU JOIN

You'll be given 'exempt immigration control' status while you're serving. You'll need to pay to regularise your immigration status yourself, if you want to stay in the UK after your service ends. It is easier to apply whilst you are serving, as long as you have served for at least four years.

BECOMING A BRITISH CITIZEN

If you want to naturalise while you're serving, you'll need to pay all the costs and make sure you meet the Home Office's requirements. Your service can count towards the residency part of the requirements.

CAN MY FAMILY JOIN ME?

Yes, your family can join you, as long as:

You and your family can meet the immigration rules
You can pay for their visa and travel costs

Make sure that you talk to your recruiter about your immigration circumstances.

For your family to come to the UK, you must meet the minimum income requirement -this is your pay before tax and other deductions are taken out. You might also be able to use savings to help.

The current minimum income requirements to bring in entitled family members are: