Can EB-5 green card holders serve in the U.S. military?

Yes. The green card obtained through EB-5 grants the investor lawful permanent resident status, and permanent residents may apply to enlist in the United States Armed Forces just like any other green card holder, regardless of the visa category through which they arrived.

Enlistment, however, is not automatic. The applicant must meet the eligibility criteria required by the Armed Forces, such as physical, health, and character evaluations that apply to all recruits.

An important point is that certain military positions, particularly those related to national security and access to sensitive information, are reserved for U.S. citizens. In those cases, a permanent resident may need to complete naturalization before taking on specific roles.

Because recruitment rules and requirements can change, it is worth confirming current conditions with official Armed Forces sources and USCIS, and discussing how this fits into your immigration plans with a qualified specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.