The US Selective Service System is looking for software that could help the government calculate staffing, funding and other resource requirements if a national emergency led to the return of military conscription.
Vladlena Baranova, Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, explains what it means for Americans.
Who is registered with the Selective Service System?
Male US residents aged 18 to 25 are registered with the Selective Service System. The independent federal agency prepares for and administers a draft if one is authorized.
The agency also maintains a separate database based on professional licensing records for people working in certain healthcare occupations. This database could be used if the government introduced a specialized draft to address an urgent shortage of medical professionals.
The agency has invited technology suppliers to submit quotations for a readiness simulation platform[1]Source: Government Executive. The proposed system would model the entire mobilization process and help officials identify potential risks before a draft was activated.
Automatic registration begins in December
Procurement timetable:
- Request for quotations launched on July 22nd, 2026.
- Deadline for supplier questions was July 28th, 2026.
- Deadline for quotations is August 14th, 2026.
The new platform would allow the Selective Service System to test different emergency and mobilization scenarios without initiating a real draft.
According to the procurement requirements, the software must be able to:
- model the full process from registration to mobilization;
- support scenarios that can be adjusted by government planners;
- calculate staffing and resource requirements;
- provide analytics for agency leaders and operational teams;
- assess the consequences of sudden increases in demand;
- identify possible delays, shortages and operational bottlenecks;
- support executive planning and government reporting;
- use anonymized and aggregated information;
- function within a cloud environment selected by the agency;
- be maintained independently by the US government.
Government ownership would allow the Selective Service System to update and operate the software without relying entirely on an external contractor during an emergency.
Vladlena Baranova,
Head of Legal & AML Compliance Department, CAMS, IMCM
The procurement comes ahead of a major change to the Selective Service registration system. From December 18th, 2026, eligible male US residents aged 18 to 25 will no longer be expected to register themselves. Instead, the Selective Service System will automatically register them using information available in other federal databases.
What the project means for the public
The software would not independently decide who should be drafted. Its primary purpose would be to help officials understand how many people and resources could be needed under different emergency conditions.
Greater readiness for mobilization
The platform could significantly reduce the time required to organize a draft. Officials would be able to test policies and calculate operational requirements before an emergency occurred.
Increased use of federal data
Draft planning increasingly depends on information already held by government agencies. This raises questions about how data is exchanged, secured and used.
Faster government decision-making
Automated modelling could allow officials to compare different mobilization strategies quickly. It could also reveal staffing shortages and logistical problems that might otherwise become apparent only after a draft had begun.
Renewed public discussion about conscription
Although the procurement does not represent the return of compulsory service, it may draw attention to how a modern US draft would operate and who could be affected.
More Americans are looking abroad
The number of American applications for investment migration programmes reportedly doubled during the year 2025[2]Source: Conde Nast Traveller.
For many applicants, obtaining a second passport does not mean immediately leaving the United States or renouncing US citizenship. It provides an additional place to live, as well as greater freedom to travel during periods of political, economic or social uncertainty.
Citizenship may be obtained by naturalization or, in some countries, an investment. Investment programmes generally provide the fastest route and may allow the investor’s spouse, children and other dependent relatives to apply as well.
The table below compares the main citizenship programmes by minimum investment, processing time, visa-free access and family eligibility.
Second citizenship programs comparison
Country
Investment
$250,000+
Obtaining period
4+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, dependent children under 25, dependent parents and grandparents over 55
Country
Investment
$240,000+
Obtaining period
6+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents over 55, siblings under 18 with parental or guardian consent
Country
Investment
$235,000+
Obtaining period
8+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents, unmarried childless siblings over 18
Country
Investment
$230,000+
Obtaining period
6+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents over 55, unmarried siblings of any age
Country
Investment
$200,000+
Obtaining period
6+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents over 65
Country
Investment
$90,000+
Obtaining period
3+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, children of any age, parents and grandparents of any age, siblings of any age
Country
Investment
$90,000+
Obtaining period
4+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, children under 18, parents and grandparents over 55
Country
Investment
$130,000+
Obtaining period
2+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse, dependent children under 25, dependent parents and grandparents over 50
Country
Investment
$250,000+
Obtaining period
10+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse and unmarried children under 21
Country
Investment
$400,000+
Obtaining period
8+ months
Family eligibility
Spouse and children under 18
Country | Investment | Obtaining period | Family eligibility |
|---|---|---|---|
$250,000+ | 4+ months | Spouse, dependent children under 25, dependent parents and grandparents over 55 | |
$240,000+ | 6+ months | Spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents over 55, siblings under 18 with parental or guardian consent | |
$235,000+ | 8+ months | Spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents, unmarried childless siblings over 18 | |
$230,000+ | 6+ months | Spouse, children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents over 55, unmarried siblings of any age | |
$200,000+ | 6+ months | Spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents over 65 | |
$90,000+ | 3+ months | Spouse, children of any age, parents and grandparents of any age, siblings of any age | |
$90,000+ | 4+ months | Spouse, children under 18, parents and grandparents over 55 | |
$130,000+ | 2+ months | Spouse, dependent children under 25, dependent parents and grandparents over 50 | |
$250,000+ | 10+ months | Spouse and unmarried children under 21 | |
$400,000+ | 8+ months | Spouse and children under 18 |
For Americans concerned about how a future military draft could affect them or their families, a second citizenship can offer more freedom and security. It may give a family another country where they can live, work, or study.
Immigrant Invest lawyers help applicants compare countries, choose the right option and apply for a second passport.
