How to Join the Royal Air Force as a Commonwealth Citizen

How to Join the Royal Air Force as a Commonwealth Citizen Do you want to join the Royal Air Force as a Commonwealth citizen? Check out this guide to joining the RAF is you’re from a Commonwealth country.As of November 2018, the British Armed Forces have increased the number of Commonwealth citizens that they will accept. This number will increase to 1,350 Commonwealth recruits per year. So, 1,000 of these positions will be for the Army, with 300 for the Royal Navy, and 50 for the RAF.While the positions are still limited, you can join the RAF as a commonwealth citizen. So, let’s take a look at the requirements for joining the British Armed Forces, and the RAF, as a Commonwealth citizen.Eligibility to Join the Royal Air Force as a Commonwealth CitizenJoining the RAF as a Commonwealth citizen is more viable now with the increased Commonwealth recruiting numbers. However, there are still eligibility criteria you must meet before you can join:Nationality â€" To join the RAF, you must be either a British citizen, British national, British/Du al national, Commonwealth citizen, or Irish Republic national;Age Requirements â€" You must be aged 16-47 in order to join the RAF.List of Commonwealth CountriesIf you are a citizen of any of the following countries, then you are eligible to join the RAF as a Commonwealth citizen: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Brunei Darussalem, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, St Kitts and Nevis, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Swaziland, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, United Republic of Tanzania, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Conclusion â€" Join the Royal Air Force as a Commonwealth CitizenAs you can see, joining the RAF as a Commonwealth cit izen is more possible than ever! If you’d like to learn more, check out our guide: How to Join the Royal Air force.ATTENTION: Download your FREE 10 Top Tips to Join the RAF pdf below!First Name *Email *By downloading this resource, you are agreeing to How2Become’s Privacy Policy and for How2Become Ltd to contact you with marketing information relating to the RAF and How2Become’s resources and offers. *  Download Now » This entry was posted in Armed Forces, Career Advice, Eligibility Criteria, 'How To' Help. Bookmark the permalink. Jacob Senior Why Do You Want To Become A Police Officer? Police Interview GuidanceHow to Join the Royal Navy as a Commonwealth Citizen 35 thoughts on “How to Join the Royal Air Force as a Commonwealth Citizen” benson says:can apply British air force as Kenyan aged 34 June 10, 2019 at 2:56 pm Reply Jacob Senior says:Hi Benson,Applicants to the RAF must be aged between 16 and 47 years old. So yes, you can apply to join the RAF as a Commonwea lth citizen at age 34.Kind regards, The How2Become Team. June 10, 2019 at 3:03 pm Reply Bjay Zimmerli says:Hi im Bjay Zimmerli and im 17 going 18 this year november,and im from Barbados (Commonwealth) and i would like to join the RAF UK as an Photographer June 17, 2019 at 11:11 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi there,You can read all about becoming an RAF photographer, via the official Army page =]Sincerely,The How2Become Team June 18, 2019 at 12:50 pm Reply Christina says:Hi I’m 33 and from Ireland is it possible to join as air cabin crew ? Even tho, I live In Ireland and Irish . ? Regards Christina August 18, 2019 at 12:30 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi there. Just to clarify, are you trying to join the RAF, or apply for working as cabin crew? Let us know, and we’ll do our best to assist!Sincerely,The How2Become Team August 19, 2019 at 9:06 am Reply Axl says:Hi I’m Axl and I’m 25 years of age from Fiji wanting to be a fighter pilot December 6, 2019 at 7:15 pm R eply Lee says:I live in England I’m a brit. Can I join New Zealands armed forces January 22, 2020 at 1:00 pm Reply MICHAEL ADU YEBOAH says:Pls can join the RAF.aged 39 from Ghana August 20, 2019 at 5:33 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi Michael,You would be eligible to join the RAF, yes. However, the age requirements could pose a problem â€" as the majority of candidates are younger. Why not apply and let us know how you get on?Best of luck.Sincerely,The How2Become Team August 23, 2019 at 8:41 am Reply Emma says:Hi I’m from Fiji I’m 20 years old and I’m interested in applying for general technician. I Saw that the recruitment for commonwealth citizens who havent met the 3yrs in the UK is now closed any idea when it will reopen. January 20, 2020 at 10:59 pm Reply Jae says:I started to apply but was halted by the section where you have to input your address. It only allows you to input a UK address. I enquired and received an email from the RAF stating that certain re sidency conditions still applies. Commonwealth Citizens have to live in the UK for a minimum of three years instead of the five years reason being- security clearance. September 26, 2019 at 2:27 am Reply Agith Navaratnarajah says:Can a Norwegian who has lived in the UK for more than 10 years apply for the RAF November 10, 2019 at 2:12 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi there,Norway is not a part of the commonwealth, so you would likely need to apply for British citizenship first. However, since you’ve lived in the UK for more than 10 years, this should be fairly straightforward!Sincerely,The How2Become Team November 11, 2019 at 10:12 am Reply Nithin Janardhanan says:Do i need to be in uk for 5 years to apply any roles in RAF. I am from india November 14, 2019 at 12:11 am Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi there,India is in the commonwealth, so you should be fine to apply â€" however you will need indefinite leave to remain in the UK.Sincerely,The How2Become Team November 15, 2019 at 9:35 am Reply Joseph says:How long does the whole process take right from submitting the application to the time you are contacted? November 28, 2019 at 3:29 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi Joseph,In terms of how long the process takes â€" there’s no set timeframe. It comes down to how many other applicants are being assessed, and the individual facets of your application.Sincerely,The How2Become Team November 29, 2019 at 4:20 pm Reply Peter obu says:Hi Jordan, I have two questions; Am a heavy equipment operator, can i apply as an officer? My second question, is the height requirement strict? December 2, 2019 at 12:21 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi Peter,As long as you meet the nationality requirements/other eligibility criteria, and you can pass the physical tests, then you should have no issues with applying!Sincerely,The How2Become Team December 3, 2019 at 4:34 pm Reply Taiwo says:hello Am from Nigeria just rounded up my masters in criminology, University of Lagos please i will like to do my internship with RAF. Thanks December 2, 2019 at 9:44 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi Taiwo,You can apply for a job with the RAF via the official RAF recruitment page. Best of luck!Sincerely,The How2Become Team December 3, 2019 at 4:30 pm Reply Tim says:Greetings .Zimbabwe hasnt been a part of the commonwealth since 2003. as a Zimbabwean would I still be able to join the RAF December 12, 2019 at 10:26 pm Reply kason st.helen says:Can you switch from the British Army to the RAF December 18, 2019 at 8:20 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi there,You certainly can do this, as a successful time spent in the army will definitely improve your chances of being accepted into the RAF. To speak more in-depth about how to do this, however, you would need to speak to the army directly, as they should be better placed to advise.Sincerely,The How2Become Team December 20, 2019 at 10:20 am Reply Tim says:Aged 19 from NZ (commonwealth) Could I be a fighter pilot in the RAF December 22, 2019 at 4:10 am Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi Tim,Since New Zealand is in the commonwealth, you’d be eligible to apply! Why not give it a go and let us know how you get on?Sincerely,The How2Become Team December 23, 2019 at 9:58 am Reply Lauryn says:Can a commonwealth person join this year if possible how and when January 10, 2020 at 1:04 am Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi Lauryn,It really depends on whether the Army are currently accepting commonwealth candidates â€" which they weren’t doing at the end of last year. Our suggestion is to contact them and find out, as they were full to capacity before, but it may well be the case that they are recruiting again.Sincerely,The How2Become Team January 10, 2020 at 2:15 pm Reply shreya Darveshkar says:my name is Shreya I lives in India , my present age is 16 yrs I am very eager to join Royal Airforce as fighter pilot can it is possible as i am commonwealth person January 26, 2020 at 4:40 pm Reply Jordan Cook e says:Hi there,You certainly can, since India is in the commonwealth you are eligible to apply. Why not give it a go and let us know how you get on?Sincerely,The How2Become Team January 28, 2020 at 9:57 am Reply David Bob says:I am a 34 year old man and i am from Nigeria what are the processes to apply to RAF as a commonwealth citizen because on the process of applying they asked of my post code but it said only UK postcode so how do i go about it January 29, 2020 at 10:08 pm Reply Jordan Cooke says:Hi there,For specific issues such as this, the best thing to do would be to contact the RAF directly, as they should be able to assist further.Sincerely,The How2Become Team January 31, 2020 at 10:32 am Reply Joseph says:do you have to live in England for a certain amount of time before joining if I am from new zealand, but was born in England? February 1, 2020 at 5:04 am Reply Malcom says:Hi there I.m 20 years old from ZIMBABWE wanna apply for Aircraft Technician for RAF l.m eager to join February 12, 2020 at 1:54 pm Reply