As part of plans to combat a worsening recruitment crisis in the British armed forces, foreign nationals who live abroad will soon be allowed to join the armed forces.
In an announcement expected later today, the Ministry of Defence will remove the need for Commonwealth citizens (from Australia, India, Canada, Kenya and Fiji) to have lived in Britain for five years before applying for service.
“Foreign and Commonwealth troops have historically been important and valued sources of recruitment for the British arm and I welcome the recruitment limit increase,” Mark Francois, a member of the defence select committee told the Daily Telegraph.
Under the policy, recruits will be considered for all forces including the Royal Navy and the RAF, with applications opening in early 2019.
The army will begin the admissions process from early next year, while the navy and RAF will start immediately. Applications from citizens of countries outside the Commonwealth will not be accepted.
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