List of militaries that recruit foreigners

This is a List of militaries that recruit foreigners. This includes any individuals who are not citizens of the nation state whose armed forces they are being recruited to join by professional recruiters. The foreigners need not be legal residents of that nation, but may gain legal residence status by joining the armed forces.

B

• Bangladesh
  • Bangladesh Army - trains the Palestinians who come for training in BMA - Bangladesh Military Academy.
• Belgium
  • Belgian Armed Forces - Any citizen of a country of the European Union is eligible to join the Belgian Armed Forces.

F

• France
  • French Foreign Legion - Recruits from throughout the world.

I

• India
  • Indian Army - recruits Nepalese and Bhutanese citizens, and the refugees from Tibet who intend to permanently settle in India.
• Republic of Ireland
  • Irish Defense Forces Takes recruits from England, Scotland and Wales.
• Israel
  • Israel Defense Forces - Israel has always recruited non-Israeli Jews, including Israeli Jews who reside overseas through the Mahal program.

L

• Luxembourg
  • Luxembourg Army - Any citizen of a country of the European Union who has resided in Luxembourg for at least thirty-six months and is at least eighteen years old but not yet twenty-four is eligible to join the Luxembourg army.

M

• Monaco
  • Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince - Recruits Frenchmen, as well as native Monegasques.
  • Corps des Sapeurs-Pompiers - Recruits Frenchmen, as well as native Monegasques.

N

• New Zealand
  • New Zealand Defence Force Citizenship not formally required for enlistment, but full New Zealand citizenship and passport required for deployment.
• North Korea
  • Korean People's Army allows naturalized foreign citizens to enlist (mainly Japanese), however there are only a few known cases of this happening. Americans are banned from enlisting.^{[citation needed]}
• Norway
  • Norwegian Armed Forces - By agreement between the two countries Icelandic citizens are accepted.

P

• Pakistan
  • Pakistan has special regiments for Palestinians and other Arab nationals that undergo training within the country.

R

• Russia
  • The Russian Armed Forces are accepting foreigners of any country to their ranks. Under a plan, posted on the ministry’s web site in 2010, foreigners without dual citizenship would able to sign up for five-year contracts – and will be eligible for Russian citizenship after serving three years. According to the amended law, a citizen of any foreign country aged 18–30 with a good command of Russian and a clean criminal record can now sign an initial five-year contract to join the Army.

S

• Spain
  • Spanish Armed Forces - Spain recruits citizens of ex-Spanish colonies (except Puerto Rico and the Philippines). Citizens of Argentina, Bolivia, Costa Rica, Colombia, Cuba, Chile, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay or Venezuela may enlist in the Spanish Armed Forces (except as submarine personnel) with temporary/permanent residence or acquired Spanish citizenship.

U

• United Kingdom (As of 11 July 2013, a new legislative act has passed declaring a ban on all Commonwealth applicants, with the exception of the Gurkhas or those from the Republic of Ireland, Cyprus and Malta. It is therefore a requirement for all applicants to have resided for 5 years in the UK, excluding said countries).
  • British Army - Commonwealth of Nations, Irish or Nepalese nationals.
  • Royal Navy - Commonwealth of Nations or Irish nationals only.
  • Royal Marines - Commonwealth of Nations or Irish nationals only.
  • Royal Air Force - Commonwealth of Nations or Irish nationals only.

• United States
  • United States Armed Forces - Permanent Residence/Green Card