Effective February 23, 2009, and through December 31, 2009, certain individuals who are present in the United States on valid, non-immigrant visas, and who possess certain language skills and/or who are healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses) may apply to enlist in the Army if they have been present in that valid non-immigrant status for the past two years. This program, called MAVNI, allows individuals to apply for U.S. Citizenship and bypass the lawful permanent resident stage of the process. It also allows those individual in J status to apply and bypass the foreign residency requirement.

This will continue until the end of 2009 or whenver they have reached the maximum number of individuals, which is 1,000. Those who are on the following types of visas may qualify: refugees, asylees, TPS, E, F, H, I, J, K, L, M, O, P, Q, R, S, T, TC, TD, TN, U, and V.

You can read more about the program here. Or on the Army website here. If you wish to apply for this program, please contact our office.

By Michelle Richart