Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) allows certain non-citizens who are legally present in the United States to join the U.S. military and apply immediately for U.S. citizenship using Form N-400, “Application for Naturalization,” without first obtaining lawful permanent residence.
The program is only available to legal aliens holding critical skills – physicians, nurses and experts in certain languages with associated cultural backgrounds.
F and M students who meet the requirements may apply for MAVNI. Designated school officials (DSOs) should be aware of the program to help participating students make the transition from F or M student to naturalization applicant.
DSOs need to know:
• When to terminate a MAVNI participant’s SEVIS record
• What to do if a MAVNI applicant does not pass basic training and wants to come back to school
• What to do if a student on optional practical training enlists in MAVNI
To learn more about who can apply for MAVNI, download F and M Students and MAVNI: A Guide for Designated School Officials.