Navigating the Path to Joining the U.S. Army as a Nigerian Citizen

To join the U.S. Army as a Nigerian citizen, you need to take a series of important steps, starting with gaining legal residency status. You must be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien holding a Green Card. This guide will outline the steps you need to follow to achieve U.S. citizenship through immigration. Once you have this status, you can move on to the enlistment process.

Step 1: Obtain a Green Card (Immigrant Visa)

Your first step is to apply for a Green Card at the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria. This process requires a thorough and detailed filing of the Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, and the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status.

Fill out the Form I-130 and send it to the National Visa Center (NVC) along with all required documents. Submit the Form I-485 along with the biometric services appointment. Attend scheduled interviews and pay any required fees. Wait for the processing of your visa.

Be aware that the process for obtaining an immigrant visa can take a significant amount of time. It is crucial to start this process well in advance of your desire to enlist in the military.

Step 2: Legal Presence in the United States

Once you have your Green Card, you can legally reside and work in the United States. However, you cannot enlist in the U.S. military with a Green Card alone. You need to be either a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident alien.

With a Green Card, you can:

Work and live in the U.S. legally Apply for U.S. citizenship after the required time period Take the necessary steps to join the U.S. military

Step 3: U.S. Citizenship and Enlistment

To fully qualify for U.S. military enlistment, you need to become a U.S. citizen. This involves passing an additional set of requirements. You can apply for naturalization after five years of lawful permanent residence or three years of lawful permanent residence if you are married to a U.S. citizen.

Fill out the Form N-400, Application for Naturalization. Attend an interview at the USCIS office and take a civics test. Take the Oath of Allegiance. Wait for the naturalization process to be completed.

Once you have completed the naturalization process, you can proceed to the U.S. military recruiter to start the enlistment process. Recruiters can help you with the application and provide information on the different branches of the military that you can join. They can also guide you on the physical, age, and background requirements for enlistment.

Conclusion

While it is possible to join the U.S. military with a Green Card, the path to becoming a member of the armed forces is complex and requires careful planning and execution. It is crucial to begin the process of obtaining a Green Card as soon as possible and to continue to move towards U.S. citizenship to fully qualify for military enlistment.