Services for Current and Former Immigrant Military Members and Their Families

As a current or former U.S. military member, you could be eligible to apply for naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

If you are a current service member, you and your qualifying family members could also be eligible to complete the entire naturalization process outside the United States.

Check to see if you are eligible for U.S. citizenship:

• Naturalization Eligibility Tool
• Naturalization through military service

Discretionary options for military service members, veterans, and their immediate family members—including those seeking to return after removal.

• Get information about seeking return to the U.S. after removal (deportation). This service will connect you with a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official who can provide information about options that may be available to you. You'll be asked to complete an information request form and then a DHS official will be in touch within 5-7 days to assist you with next steps.
• Humanitarian parole explains eligibility and how to apply. All requests for parole are considered on a case-by-case basis.
• Additional discretionary options are also available, on a case-by-case basis, for current and former service members and their families who are in the U.S., such as parole-in-place or deferred action.
• Prosecutorial discretion may be available if you are in removal proceedings.

Generally, if you’re a service member who served on active duty and did not receive a dishonorable discharge, you could be eligible for VA benefits. Your immigration status – including past or pending deportation or removal – does not affect your eligibility for VA benefits.

Learn how to qualify and apply for VA benefits:

• Check if you're eligible for VA Benefits.
• Veterans living overseas may have benefits options, even if they're not eligible for VA care.
• Apply for VA health care to access medical care through VA hospitals across the country and in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Philippines.
• Apply for VA benefits beyond health care to access a wide variety of services through the VA even if you live overseas.
• Check your VA claim or appeal status.
• Additional military programs and benefits include housing, education, and more for service members, veterans, and their families.

Do you need legal advice? Although you can file your immigration and naturalization applications on your own, you may consider getting legal advice.

Organizations that may be able to assist you with legal questions:

• Department of Justice legal assistance
• Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) legal assistance
• Judge Advocate General legal assistance (current service members, U.S. only)

Translation services are available for current service members who need help speaking or writing in English.

Current Service Members:

• Contact your military installation’s human resources office.

Former Service Members:

• Request your military service records
• Apply for a Discharge Upgrade