These benefits are available to non-UK nationals (Commonwealth, Gurkhas and Nepali citizens, British National (Overseas) citizens, British Overseas Citizens and British Overseas Territory Citizens) serving in the Armed Forces.
Once you have completed initial training you will be earning enough to bring your spouse or partner to the UK, subject to them meeting the criteria set out in the immigration rules appendix armed forces. As your earnings rise, you will be able to bring dependant children to join you, subject to them meeting Home Office criteria. The additional benefits that are then available to those family members can be found on the Additional benefits for non-UK family members page.
You are exempt from UK immigration control for as long as you remain in Regular service, which means that you do no have to pay visa fees during your service.
There are Armed Forces credit unions to help you save for the cost of travel and visas for you and your family. Loans are also available, subject to status. Go to the joining forces credit union website for more information.
Domiciled Collective Leave (DOMCOL) and DOMCOL Substitute allow you to visit your country of origin for an extended period of leave, of up to 45 working days (instead of 30 days annual leave allowance) every 5 years, with travel at public expense in the case of DOMCOL (but not DOMCOL Substitute).
You should check JSP760 Part 1 Chapter 9 for the rules.
If you need to travel back to your country of origin for compassionate reasons when posted overseas, you may be able to travel directly to your country of origin at public expense. You should check JSP751 Part 1 Volume 3, Section 6 for the rules.
Fee on discharge if you meet all the Home Office criteria and:
have served at least 6 years at your point of discharge from service
are discharged on medical grounds with a condition attributable to service irrespective of length of service
as a veteran who has served for at least 6 years or was discharged on medical grounds with a condition attributable to service and is currently living in the UK and has not yet regularised their immigration status
What you need to do
If you need more information about any of these benefits, then speak to your local Unit HR Admin in the first instance.
We use cookies to collect information about how you use this website. We use this information to make the website work as well as possible. Tell us whether you accept these cookies.
