Know Your Rights

Current and former members of the U.S. Armed Forces may qualify for an expedited or simplified path to U.S. citizenship based on their military service. These provisions are different from the normal naturalization process and, depending on the veteran's service, can eliminate or reduce some of the usual residency and physical-presence requirements.

Important Facts:

• A veteran may not need to have a green card for five years. Current and former service members can qualify under special military naturalization provisions.
• Under INA §328, someone with at least one year of honorable U.S. military service may qualify for naturalization. Certain normal residence and physical-presence requirements can be reduced or eliminated depending on when they apply.
• Under INA §329, veterans who served honorably during a designated period of hostilities have even broader eligibility. The current designated period runs from September 11, 2001 to the present. In some circumstances, a veteran who served during this period can qualify without having first become a lawful permanent resident, provided the statutory requirements concerning lawful admission or physical presence at enlistment are met.
• Military naturalization applications under §§328 or 329 have no filing fee.
• Older veterans and veterans with disabilities may have exceptions to the English/civics requirements or accommodations.

For More Information: 

CalVet Information on Veteran Naturalization 

Email: MinorityVeterans@calvet.ca.gov

(916) 651-3054

California Department of Social Services Immigration Services

Naturalization through Military Services (US Citizen and Immigration Services)