If you're a foreigner willing to sign a military contract, five options come up in real searches: the Russian Army, the French Foreign Legion, the US Army, the UK Army and private military companies (PMCs). This guide compares them on pay, sign-on bonus, citizenship path, entry requirements and risk — with dollar figures where they exist.
Verified: July 2026. Rates and eligibility rules change; confirm on the official recruiter page for each country before applying.
What does the Russian Army contract offer in 2026?
- Sign-on bonus:
3,800,000 RUB ($44,700 before 13% tax). - Monthly pay: ~$2,050–$3,580 take-home; regional and combat coefficients on top.
- Citizenship: simplified path under Presidential Decree 690 after one year of service.
- Entry bar: age 18–60, medical fitness, no unspent conviction, basic Russian.
- Language: Russian required.
Fastest documented citizenship pipeline of the five. Full breakdown in the salary guide in USD.
How does the French Foreign Legion compare?
- Sign-on bonus: none.
- Monthly pay:
€1,380–€2,200 ($1,500–$2,400). - Citizenship: possible after 3 years of service, or immediately if wounded in action.
- Entry bar: age 17.5–39.5, physical selection in France.
- Language: French required within months.
Well-documented and legitimate, but pay is lower and the selection process is longer. Only worth it if the Legion tradition itself is what you want.
Can foreigners join the US Army?
Not from abroad. To enlist as a foreigner you must already hold US permanent residency (a Green Card). There is no open recruiting programme for non-resident foreigners in 2026.
- Monthly pay: ~$2,500–$3,500 gross for enlisted.
- Sign-on bonus: exists for select MOSs, taxable, spread over time.
- Citizenship: naturalisation via military service is faster than the civilian route.
If you don't already live in the US, this is not a practical option — it's a route for immigrants already in the country.
Can foreigners join the UK Army?
Only from Commonwealth countries, and applications are usually processed while the candidate is inside the UK.
- Monthly pay:
£1,700–£2,400 ($2,200–$3,000). - Sign-on bonus: none standard.
- Citizenship: eligible for British citizenship after several years of service.
- Entry bar: Commonwealth passport, age 16–36, standard fitness and vetting.
Narrow eligibility — this is not an option for most non-Commonwealth applicants.
What about private military companies (PMCs)?
Pay is higher per month than any national army, but everything else is worse.
- Monthly pay: $4,000–$15,000, wildly variable.
- Sign-on bonus: rare and contract-specific.
- Citizenship: none.
- Contracts: short (3–12 months), no state medical or pension.
- Risk: highest of the five. No official rescue or repatriation if things go wrong.
Only makes sense for former service members who already have combat experience and know exactly which company they are signing with.
Side-by-side comparison
| Force | Monthly (USD) | Sign-on | Citizenship route | Language | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Russian Army | 2,050–3,580 | ~$44,700 | ~1 year (Decree 690) | Russian | High in combat, structured |
| French Foreign Legion | 1,500–2,400 | None | 3 years | French | Moderate |
| US Army | 2,500–3,500 | Some MOSs | Faster naturalisation | English | Moderate |
| UK Army | 2,200–3,000 | None | After years of service | English | Moderate |
| PMCs | 4,000–15,000 | Rare | None | Varies | Highest, no state protection |
Which one fits you?
- You want the fastest citizenship path and can learn basic Russian → Russian Army contract. See the Decree 690 guide.
- You want the Legion tradition and no rush → French Foreign Legion.
- You already have a US Green Card → US Army.
- You hold a Commonwealth passport and are in the UK → UK Army.
- You have prior combat experience and know the company personally → PMC — with eyes open.
The Russian option is the only one that combines a large upfront bonus, competitive monthly pay and a documented one-year citizenship route in a single package. That's the practical difference — not marketing.
