Commonwealth citizens

Here’s a step-by-step breakdown for a Commonwealth citizen who gets accepted into the UK Armed Forces — including both the visa application process and dependent family options. They can apply to join the UK army online (eg as a musician), then enter on a UK visitor visa to do any relevant assessments before going back to apply for the Armed Forces visa if approved. 

UK ARMED FORCES VISA – STEP-BY-STEP (FOR COMMONWEALTH CITIZENS)

✅ 1. Initial Application & Acceptance

• You apply to join the UK Armed Forces (e.g. British Army) from overseas.
• You must meet eligibility criteria, including:
   
  • Be at least 18 years old.
  • Meet physical, medical, and security requirements.
  • Be a citizen of a Commonwealth country (no need to be settled in the UK).
• You travel to the UK for assessment on a Standard Visitor visa, if needed (not for work yet).

✅ 2. Receive Job Offer from MOD

• Once accepted, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) becomes your sponsor.
• They issue documentation supporting your visa application as a serving member of HM Forces.

✅ 3. Apply for Entry Clearance (Visa to Enter UK as HM Forces Member)

You now apply for a visa under the Appendix Armed Forces immigration rules.

📌 Requirements:

• Sponsorship letter from MOD confirming acceptance into the Armed Forces.
• Passport and identity documents.
• Tuberculosis test (if required based on your country).
• No English language or financial requirements (MOD covers housing and salary).

📌 Where to Apply:

• From outside the UK: Apply online via UK Visas and Immigration (GOV.UK).
• Visa type: “HM Forces – Member of UK Armed Forces”.

✅ 4. Arrive in the UK & Serve

• You’ll be granted limited leave to enter (usually for 5 years or matching your service contract).
• You do not need to apply for a separate work visa while serving.

✅ 5. Apply for Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

After 4 years of continuous service, you can apply for ILR under the Armed Forces rules.

📌 Benefits of ILR:

• No immigration restrictions.
• Eligible to apply for British citizenship after 1 year of ILR.

👨‍👩‍👧 FAMILY MEMBERS (Dependants)

✅ Who Can Apply:

• Spouse or civil partner.
• Unmarried partner (if living together for 2+ years).
• Children under 18 (or over 18 if dependent and not living independently).

📝 Key Points:

• They apply under Appendix Armed Forces – dependants of HM Forces members.
• Can live and work in the UK.
• Can apply for ILR after 5 years (or sooner if the service member applies for ILR earlier and they qualify jointly).

• Antigua and Barbuda
   
• Australia
   
• The Bahamas
   
• Bangladesh
   
• Barbados
   
• Belize
   
• Botswana
   
• Brunei Darussalam
   
• Cameroon
   
• Canada
   
• Cyprus
   
• Dominica
   
• Eswatini
   
• Fiji
   
• The Gambia
   
• Ghana
   
• Grenada
   
• Guyana
   
• India
   
• Jamaica
   
• Kenya
   
• Kiribati
   
• Lesotho
   
• Malawi
   
• Malaysia
   
• Maldives
   
• Malta
   
• Mauritius
   
• Mozambique
   
• Namibia
   
• Nauru
   
• New Zealand
   
• Nigeria
   
• Pakistan
   
• Papua New Guinea
   
• Rwanda
   
• Saint Kitts and Nevis
   
• Saint Lucia
   
• Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
   
• Samoa
   
• Seychelles
   
• Sierra Leone
   
• Singapore
   
• Solomon Islands
   
• South Africa
   
• Sri Lanka
   
• Tanzania
   
• Tonga
   
• Trinidad and Tobago
   
• Tuvalu
   
• Uganda
   
• United Kingdom
   
• Vanuatu
   
• Zambia
   
• Gabon
   
• Togo