Please note that this is an archived article, and that the rules about Commonwealth recruitment have changed from time to time.

Anyone who is already serving or has served in the UK armed forces can apply to join the British Armed Forces Federation including, of course, those of Commonwealth or foreign nationality.

Individuals wishing to join the UK Armed Forces are subject to strict nationality and citizenship requirements. Generally applicants must have been born in the UK, the Republic of Ireland or a Commonwealth country and have at all times since birth been a UK or Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of the Republic of Ireland.

All candidates must have the right of entry into the UK. Holders of dual nationality are eligible to join the Armed Forces as long as one of those nationalities is British. However, there are additional nationality requirements attached to certain trades within each Service. The applicant must also have lived in the UK for 3-5 years immediately prior to the application, depending upon which Service they wish to join. The only broad exception is with respect to the recruitment of the Nepalese Gurkhas into the British Army.

• Source: House of Commons Library Note SN/SG/02183 published 27 Jul 2011, Defence Personnel Statistics.

The British Armed Forces Federation is completely independent of the Ministry of Defence, so we cannot give help or advice in connection with your application to join Her Majesty's Forces, but we wish you the very best of luck, and a happy and successful career if your application is successful. All members of HM Forces are very welcome indeed to join the Federation.

If you are a Foreign or Commonwealth Citizen looking for British armed forces information, the following external links may be helpful:

• British Army Guide for Foreign and Commonwealth Citizens and their Families. Download this PDF document, or ask your Unit Welfare Officer for a copy.
• British Army Website - Foreign and Commonwealth Citizens. Comprehensive page with many links to other web pages and documents.
• Army Families Federation - Foreign and Commonwealth. (Updated link 2024) A very useful page with answers to a number of frequently asked questions.
• UK Border Agency Immigration Directorate Instructions - Chapter 15 - Armed Forces. The immigration directorate instructions are internal guidance used by staff when handling applications.
• British Army Website: Nationality and Residency. Useful table of nationality and residency requirements for applying to join the British Army in various roles.