Defense Department’s Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) pilot-recruiting program will allow 10,000 non- residents who do not have permanent resident status but have been here legally for at least two years, to join the Army if they have the needed medical or foreign language and cultural expertise.

While citizenship is not guaranteed, nonimmigrants who apply under MAVNI pilot program must undergo the same background checks, security screening and meet all of the general qualifications to become citizens of the US, as do all the other members of the U.S. armed forces who apply for citizenship.