An immigration application, particularly a green card or I-485 application for adjustment of status and DS-260 forms in consular processing, ask about military service. This section becomes important in case the applicant has joined the military, hence, they must know whether or not they qualify as a veteran and how to fill up the respective section in an immigration form properly.
Who Qualifies as a Veteran in Immigration?
Immigration forms typically ask whether or not the applicant has been a member of the military at any time in their life — not if they were involved in active combat or fought in armed conflict. This vague question then refers to all classes of the military, whether those who’ve seen active combat or those who served as military secretary to the general, etc.
Some countries also have mandatory conscription, requiring men at a certain age to serve in the military. In other countries, military service is voluntary. Regardless, a person who was a member of the military in any capacity, whether conscripted or voluntary, is considered a veteran and must indicate the same in their U.S. immigration application forms.
Military and Weapons Training
Aside from the straightforward question of whether or not the applicant has been a member of the military, immigration forms will also ask follow-up questions, such as whether or not they’ve had any military or weapons training.
If a veteran indicates that they were a military member, they most likely were taught how to march and how to shoot, among other things. These are considered military and weapons training. So their answer to the questions pertaining to the same should be “yes” as well.
Document to Prove Military Membership
For immigration to be able to verify the applicant’s military membership, the latter must provide the certificate or discharge document they received after they were discharged from the military. If the document is in another language, it needs to be translated. This document must be attached to the green card application upon submission.