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Which countries that permit dual US citizenship currently enforce mandatory military conscription?
Executive summary
Available reporting and guides show many countries with mandatory military service that do not exempt dual nationals; examples repeatedly cited include Israel, South Korea, Russia and Armenia as states that can and do expect service from citizens even if they hold another passport (see [2], [6], [7], p1_s8). Broad compilations put "more than 60" countries with some form of conscription on the books, and multiple guides warn that dual citizenship does not erase military obligations — you must check both countries' laws [1] [2].
1. What the sources agree on: dual nationality doesn’t automatically stop conscription
Practical guides and citizenship blogs uniformly state that having U.S. citizenship plus a second passport does not cancel the military-law obligations imposed by the other state; each country determines service obligations under its own laws, and dual nationals remain subject to those laws [2] [3] [4]. Law-focused commentary echoes this principle: you generally cannot "use both of your nationalities to cancel each other out" to avoid service [5].
2. Named examples frequently raised in reporting
Multiple sources call out particular countries where dual citizens can face conscription if they meet residency/age rules or return to the country: Israel is explicitly noted for conscripting repatriates under the Law of Return [2] [4]; South Korea’s long-standing rules about service for male citizens — including legal complications for dual nationals — are discussed in academic work [6]; Russia and Armenia are highlighted in guides as states that maintain conscription claims on citizens abroad under certain conditions [2] [7].
3. Scale: how many countries enforce mandatory service?
Aggregators and expat guides estimate that upwards of 60 countries maintain some form of compulsory military service or a legal reserve/drafting mechanism [1] [8]. Those compiled lists include a spectrum: from countries that actively conscript large cohorts to states that keep a de jure draft or selective obligation that is rarely invoked [8] [1].
4. Practical triggers and limits — what activates a foreign draft risk?
Sources emphasize common triggers: physically returning to the country of origin, residing there when reaching conscription age, or failing to comply with registration duties can activate obligations; simply holding a passport while living abroad often reduces practical risk but does not remove the legal requirement [2] [4] [7]. Guides also note some countries impose administrative penalties or travel restrictions on citizens who haven’t fulfilled service [2] [9].
5. US-specific considerations and Selective Service context
The United States itself operates on voluntary enlistment but maintains the Selective Service registration system as a legal fallback; dual nationals are treated the same as other U.S. citizens regarding Selective Service obligations [8] [10]. Conversely, some legal discussion highlights limited bilateral or statutory pathways that can affect draft exposure in extraordinary circumstances, but the sources provided do not enumerate specific treaties exempting dual nationals from foreign conscription [11].
6. Practical advice from the sources — what people are told to do
Every practical guide cited urges dual nationals or prospective second‑passport seekers to research the conscription law of both states before assuming safety: review the other country’s conscription statutes, residency and registration rules, and any exceptions for naturalized citizens or overseas residents [2] [3] [4]. Several sources recommend legal counsel or contacting consulates for case‑specific clarification [2] [9].
7. Conflicting claims and limitations in coverage
Available sources offer country lists and examples but differ in depth and scope: global lists [8] [1] give breadth, while country‑specific pieces [6] [2] explain mechanisms. None of the provided materials supply a definitive, up‑to‑date roster tailored solely to U.S.–dual nationals that conclusively names every country that currently enforces conscription against dual U.S. citizens — available sources do not mention a single authoritative, exhaustive list specific to U.S. dual nationals (not found in current reporting). Also, some entries are general advice pieces rather than primary legal texts, so they summarize rather than prove statutory details [7] [9].
8. Bottom line for U.S. citizens considering (or holding) dual nationality
Treat each potential second citizenship as a separate legal regime: assume the other country’s laws apply unless you find a specific exemption or treaty to the contrary, and expect that countries commonly cited — for example, Israel, South Korea, Russia and Armenia — may assert military obligations over dual nationals under certain conditions [2] [6] [7] [4]. Consult the foreign country’s conscription statute or its consulate and, when necessary, a lawyer for individual risk assessment [2] [3].