Clearences

[vasu maj]

Some of the jobs that I wanted to land need security clearence. I do not know what they are and how to obtain them. Can someone throw some light? I am a PR in US , not a citizen. How difficult is it for a non citizen to get the certificates, if at possible?

[Mike Gershman]

Security clearances are requested and paid for by the employer, not the employee. Because of the cost of the background investigation, most companies strongly prefer to hire someone who already holds the same level security clearance.

It is much easier for US citizens to get US security clearances. Citizens of NATO countries are harder but possible.

Citizens of other countries would require special official permissions and a very costly background investigation, so it's not very likely. There are other issues as well. Security clearances are usually associated with defense work. What if your country was on the other side of a future conflict? What if your country's intelligence service asked for your help? Assuming you still have relatives back home, this could put you in an impossible situation.

[vasu maj]

You are right. I find the security clearance problem whenever I try to apply for jobs in a company which is in defense equipment manufacturing. It is 2 mins from my home so I thought I would somehow get the clearance myself to become eligible.

Got it. Thanks.

[Daniel Gee]

Some companies support U.S. citizens to go through the security clearance process.

Recently, two of my co-workers, both are U.S. citizens, left about two months after they joined the Company for failing to get their interim clearances. One was due to his strong foreign ties (with his mother in Ethiopia and a sister in Germany), and the other for his dual citizenship status.

The Security Officers apply more stringent criteria in screening people after the 9/11.

[M Burke]

I think it's DOD's policy to only hire US citizens for defense contract work.