UK Names 2 Groups of Ex-Military Personnel Eligible for Settlement: Requirements Explained

UK Prime Minister, Andy Burnham.

The United Kingdom has identified two categories of former military personnel who may qualify for a special settlement route allowing them and eligible family members to live permanently in the country.

The immigration concession covers former Gurkha soldiers who served in the British Army and veterans of two Hong Kong-based military units who were discharged before July 1, 1997.

Under the arrangement, eligible applicants generally need to demonstrate at least four years of continuous service. However, different conditions may apply to veterans who receive a war pension or hold a recognised gallantry medal.

The policy provides a route to settlement for former service personnel whose military service did not automatically give them the right to settle in Britain after discharge.

For Nigerians and other foreigners researching UK immigration options, the development also highlights the distinction between special settlement concessions and the country’s standard work and family visa routes.

UK Lists 2 Groups of Former Military Personnel Eligible for Settlement

The UK settlement concession covers two specific categories of veterans.

1. Former Gurkha soldiers

The first category comprises Nepali nationals who served in the Brigade of Gurkhas within the British Army and were discharged before July 1, 1997.

Gurkhas have a longstanding history of service in the British Army. However, their military service did not always provide an automatic entitlement to settle permanently in the UK.

The special concession was introduced to address the circumstances of eligible former Gurkha soldiers and their families.

Veterans seeking to use the route must establish that they meet the applicable service and immigration requirements. The four-year continuous-service condition is a general requirement, although exceptions may apply in specific circumstances.

2. Hong Kong military unit veterans

The second category consists of Chinese nationals who were locally enlisted in Hong Kong and served in either the Hong Kong Military Service Corps or the Hong Kong Squadron of the Royal Navy.

To qualify under the concession, the veterans must have been discharged before July 1, 1997.

The inclusion of these former service personnel expanded a settlement arrangement that had previously applied to Gurkha veterans.

In March 2023, the UK government extended the concession to cover eligible Hong Kong military unit veterans and their families, bringing the two categories under a similar immigration framework.

What Are the Requirements for UK Settlement?

Former military personnel interested in the route must first establish that they belong to one of the eligible categories.

The general requirements include:

Having served in the qualifying military unit.
Having been discharged before July 1, 1997.
Demonstrating at least four years of continuous service, where applicable.
Providing evidence of military service and other information required by the immigration authorities.
Meeting the relevant requirements for settlement and any accompanying family applications.

Veterans receiving a war pension or holding a gallantry medal may qualify under different conditions. Applicants should therefore check the applicable government guidance rather than assume that every veteran must satisfy identical criteria.

The concession is specifically designed for the qualifying former service personnel. It is not a general immigration route for all retired soldiers or foreign nationals who previously served in their home countries.

UK Extended Settlement Concession to Hong Kong Veterans in 2023

Before the policy change in March 2023, the special settlement concession applied to former Gurkha soldiers and their eligible families.

The UK government’s decision to extend it to Hong Kong military unit veterans recognised the circumstances of locally enlisted personnel who had served under British command before Hong Kong was handed over to China in 1997.

The change gave eligible veterans from both categories access to a dedicated settlement framework.

The route operates outside the standard points-based immigration system and addresses the specific circumstances of the former military personnel covered by the concession.

Eligible family members may also benefit, subject to the relevant rules. However, family members should confirm their own eligibility and documentation requirements before applying.

Does the UK Settlement Route Apply to All Foreign Soldiers?

No. The concession is limited to the qualifying former Gurkha soldiers and Hong Kong military unit veterans described in the policy.

A foreign national who served in another country’s armed forces cannot assume that the same arrangement applies to them.

Similarly, current military personnel and veterans discharged after the specified date should not assume they qualify under this particular concession.

People who do not meet the criteria may need to explore other UK immigration routes, depending on their circumstances.

What Applicants Should Know Before Applying

Former military personnel and their relatives should gather documents establishing their identity, military service, discharge date and family relationships, where relevant.

They should also verify whether the four-year service requirement applies to their individual circumstances and whether an exception is available.

Because the route is based on a specific historical service arrangement, applicants should rely on the latest UK government immigration guidance for the relevant category rather than general advice about settlement or indefinite leave to remain.

Meeting the initial eligibility criteria does not necessarily mean an application will be approved. The immigration authorities must assess the application against the applicable rules.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for settlement under the UK’s special military concession?

Eligible former Gurkha soldiers and qualifying Hong Kong military unit veterans discharged before July 1, 1997, may apply under the special concession, subject to the applicable requirements.

What is the minimum service requirement?

Applicants generally need at least four years of continuous military service. Exceptions may apply to certain veterans, including those receiving a war pension or holding a gallantry medal.

Can former Gurkha soldiers settle permanently in the UK?

Eligible former Gurkha soldiers may use the special settlement route if they satisfy the relevant immigration requirements.

Are Hong Kong military veterans eligible for UK settlement?

Certain Chinese nationals who served in the Hong Kong Military Service Corps or the Hong Kong Squadron of the Royal Navy and were discharged before July 1, 1997, may qualify.

When did the UK extend the concession to Hong Kong veterans?

The UK government announced the extension in March 2023, bringing qualifying Hong Kong military unit veterans and their families within the special settlement framework.

Can family members apply with eligible veterans?

Eligible family members may benefit from the concession, but they must satisfy the applicable requirements for their circumstances.

Can any foreign military veteran apply for this settlement route?

No. The concession is restricted to the qualifying categories of former Gurkha soldiers and Hong Kong military unit veterans. Other foreign veterans must explore immigration routes for which they qualify.

Does military service automatically guarantee UK settlement?

No. Applicants must establish that they meet the specific eligibility conditions and comply with the relevant immigration requirements.