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about Security Clearance

I apply for a job that ask if I have a security clearance. what is the security clearance? what is a different between secret and top secret security clearance? How can I get one? I just became US citizen 1 year ago, so am I still able to get one?

Lee W, MVP

You should be able to get clearance, but it's a bit of a procedure and the inefficient government tends to take several weeks or months to actually get you clearance. Secret clearance is easier to get than Top Secret clearance. And if you are hired for a job and that job needs you to have clearance, they MAY be able to speed up the procedure. But it typically is not a quick thing.

-THIS IS NOT FROM EXPERIENCE-

I did ask someone about this some time ago and that was the answer I got.

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jerryb30

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rfr1tz

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Reid Palmeira

If having security clearnance is part of the job requirement they have to help you apply for it since you don't currently posses one. the application process for a secret can take a few months. Issuing you an "interim secret" isn't too bad but for a clearance that's not temporary it can take a while to process. They look back on the places you've lived for the past 7 years, the previous jobs you've had, they do a background check and criminal history check. Top secret is higher than secret for clearance. You can still get a clearance even if you're a recent US citizen, but they will ask for information on when you obtained citizenship and it can delay the process a little bit if they have to contact foreign governments or individuals to check your background. http://www.opm.gov/e-qip/reference.asp and https://jpas.dsis.dod.mil/docs/what-is-eQIP-05-2005.doc for a bit more info.

ithawaii

ASKER

Thanks for the helpful info. So, if I apply for a job that requires a security clearance, I have to fill out whatever form they give me to request a security clearance, and then the company that wants to hire me will process the investigation about my history, is that right? So, are they going to hire me before or after the investigation? because based on what you're saying is that it'll take longer time for a foreigner like me. They will not hire me until they get the result, is that right?

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zackrspv

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Reid Palmeira

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