Over 1,000 Nepalis Obtain U.S. Citizenship Through Military Service

The number of Nepalis who have joined the U.S. military and obtained U.S. citizenship has surpassed 1,000, according to data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

In 2016, 189 Nepalis joined the U.S. Army and obtained citizenship through Naturalization via Military Service, including through the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, which allowed non-green card holders to enlist. This program, which started in 2008, ended on September 30, 2017, leading to a decline in the number of Nepalis joining the U.S. Army and obtaining citizenship after its expiration.

Despite the termination of the MAVNI program, nearly 400 Nepalis have still managed to join the U.S. Army and obtain citizenship. Homeland Security data shows that 36 Nepalis obtained U.S. citizenship through military service in 2022, and 45 in 2021.

In 2020, 69 Nepalis obtained U.S. citizenship through military service, including 61 men and 8 women. In 2019, 84 men and 9 women obtained citizenship through military service, while in 2018, 64 men and 11 women did the same.

During the 10 years of the MAVNI program, 651 Nepalis obtained U.S. citizenship through military service. The yearly breakdown includes 63 in 2017, 189 in 2016, 94 in 2015, 120 in 2014, 48 in 2013, 18 in 2012, 14 in 2011, 81 in 2010, 13 in 2009, and 14 in 2008.

Not all Nepalis who joined the U.S. Army and obtained citizenship did so through the MAVNI program; some already had green cards before joining the military.

U.S. service members, veterans, and their families may be eligible for certain immigration benefits in recognition of their important sacrifices. Specifically, veterans and current service members may qualify for U.S. citizenship through naturalization under special provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

These provisions reduce or eliminate certain general requirements for naturalization, such as the need for applicants to have resided in and been physically present in the U.S. for a specific period of time before naturalizing.

Since 2002, over 170,000 members of the U.S. military, both at home and abroad, have been naturalized. Naturalization ceremonies have taken place in more than 30 countries, from Albania to the United Arab Emirates. In the last five fiscal years (2019–2023), more than 40,000 service members have been naturalized, including over 12,100 in fiscal year 2023 alone—an almost 14% increase from the previous year.

Prior to MAVNI, the number of Nepalis obtaining U.S. citizenship through military service was very low, with only 11 in 2006 and 6 in 2005. Data from earlier years is limited.

The U.S. military includes branches such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Reserve Forces, and certain National Guard components. Joining the military offered a faster path to citizenship compared to the usual 3-5 year wait for green card holders.

Many Nepali students on visas took advantage of the MAVNI program to obtain citizenship more quickly. While over 1,000 Nepalis have obtained U.S. citizenship through military service, not all are currently serving; many have since transitioned to veteran status.