Yes, several armies allow foreigners, most famously the French Foreign Legion (accepting most nationalities) and the US Military (via programs for legal residents/special skills); other examples include the UK, Australia, Ireland, Israel, Russia, and Ukraine, each with specific eligibility, often focusing on Commonwealth nations, EU citizens, or those with critical skills, with pathways to citizenship often available.
R. The Russian Armed Forces accepts foreigners of any country to their ranks. Under a plan, posted on the ministry's web site in 2010, foreigners without dual citizenship are able to sign up for five-year contracts – and are eligible for Russian citizenship after serving three years.
Non-Australian citizens may be eligible to join the ADF. To be eligible, you must meet all of the following criteria: be a citizen of New Zealand, the United Kingdom, United States of America, Canada or Papua New Guinea.
Switzerland, like many countries, requires military service from most men. Women may serve if they wish. Foreigners are exempt. Swiss living abroad are also basically free from being recruited and serving in the military during times of peace as long as they remain abroad.
Nationality and residence requirements. People applying to join the UK's armed forces must be a citizen of Britain, the Commonwealth or the Republic of Ireland (either as a sole or dual national). Nepalese Gurkha soldiers serve under special and unique arrangements.
6 countries that allow foreigners to join their army
Requirements to join the Army.
Only Jews can apply to Garin Tzabar, either from abroad or from within Israel. Keep in mind that you will only get a free flight to Israel through The Jewish Agency if you are making aliya from abroad.
Permanent Residents: The Canadian Forces Recruiting Group accepts trained applicants from foreign militaries. These applicants include pilots, logistics officers, infantry officers and other skilled professionals, who may become enrolled in the CAF if they have permanent resident status in Canada.
Yes, Russians have and still serve in US military. There is about 1% of Russian descent Americans in the US. There is even a Russian-American Orthodox Saint. Edit: there was Russian born Union General during Civil War.
U.S. citizens and some non-citizens can join the military. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must: Have a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Speak, read, and write English fluently.
You must apply for a NZ Residence class visa, and your Offer of Service will be used to facilitate your application. As of October 2023, we are temporarily unable to recruit overseas candidates who require a Skilled Migrant visa due to recent criteria changes.
Australian Army salaries vary significantly by rank, experience, and role, with entry-level soldiers earning around $60k-$70k+ and higher ranks like Captains and Majors reaching well over $100k-$200k+, plus allowances, but official pay is structured in fortnightly rates with increases for skills, training, and promotions, based on ADF pay scales updated regularly, like the latest from November 2025.
if a British person meets the requirements, they can join the Irish Defence Forces as an officer or soldier. They need to pass tests for fitness, meet age limits, have the right qualifications, and be allowed to work in Ireland.
Immigration to Russia is regulated by the Main Directorate for Migration Affairs of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russian Federation. Anyone who works in Russia for five years and develops fluency in the Russian language can become a citizen, provided they have not committed a crime.
The starting wage for them is 160,000 roubles a month, ($1,792 or £1,408), which in Russia is seen as a good salary. It is around three-and-a-half times the national average, according to official Russian government figures.
Enlistment into any branch of the U.S. military, by citizens of countries other than the United States is limited to those foreign nationals who are legally residing in the United States and possess a Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services Alien Registration Card (INS Form I-151/551 - commonly known as a "Green ...
You are a minimum of 17* years of age.
The maximum age is based on the age of 60 less the minimum years of service required for the career chosen.
We have seen reports about Indian nationals having been recruited recently into the Russian army. Government has on several occasions over the past one year underlined the risks and dangers inherent in this course of action and cautioned Indian citizens accordingly.
The IDF does not conscript Arab citizens of Israel who are Muslim or Christian; however, they may choose to volunteer for military service. Since 1956, enlistment has been mandatory for Druze and Circassian men, after a request by the Druze community to make conscription mandatory.
Israel Military Salary. $28.7K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers. $37.1K is the 75th percentile.
As well as meeting ADF entry standards and security requirements, permanent residents wishing to join the ADF must have lived in Australia for at least one year immediately prior to applying, not have served in a foreign military in the preceding two years, and be able to attain Australian citizenship.
Certain medical conditions — such as asthma, diabetes, severe allergies, certain types of mental health disorders and heart problems — can disqualify individuals from joining the military due to the physical and mental demands of service.
Joining the ADF is an option for people of all ages, as Corporal Laura Wakeling and her husband Aircraftman Tim Wakeling can attest. Corporal Wakeling was aged 33 when she joined the Army, while Aircraftman Wakeling was 45 when he enlisted in the Air Force.
Exemptions