Security Clearance (SC) Q&A Read first before asking questions

[CheeseSlice]

Part of my previous job was being a Sponsor. Usually, it can be anywhere from a month to a few months. One took longer, but was due to personal circumstances. Every case is different I'm afraid and there's no way of finding out how long it can take. Which is frustrating for a lot of people, when they want to know when they can start work.

After speaking to some other recruiters recently about timelines to get SC, I've concluded that the first agent who quoted 18-24 months was speaking with copious amounts of BS.

[Ben9283]

Just spoken to a recruiter who reckons its currently taking between 18-24 months to process SC

Anybody here who's been cleared recently able to verify?

Part of my previous job was being a Sponsor. Usually, it can be anywhere from a month to a few months. One took longer, but was due to personal circumstances. Every case is different I'm afraid and there's no way of finding out how long it can take. Which is frustrating for a lot of people, when they want to know when they can start work.

[Ben9283]

I waited 14 months once. Jan '18 - Mar '19. Previous clearance, no changes. Shortest was first time 10 working days... it's a lottery.

It certainly does seem a lottery with how long it can take. Especially looking through the threads.

A request to extract my SC only took 14 days. Unfortunately, it was the wrong clearance required, which is now delaying my start date for my first role out of green kit. I'll continue to wait and be patient.

[Scruff]

I waited 14 months once. Jan '18 - Mar '19. Previous clearance, no changes. Shortest was first time 10 working days... it's a lottery.

[Pin Pin Poola]

Just spoken to a recruiter who reckons its currently taking between 18-24 months to process SC

Anybody here who's been cleared recently able to verify?

Pre lockdown (end of Feb / early Mar) my SC application was processed & granted within 3 weeks, so 18-24 months seems very unlikely TBH.

The truth is that it takes as long as it takes to get to a decision.

If your history is complicated, the process will be longer.

Good luck.

Pin

[Ben9283]

Time taken for transfer during COVID-19

I'm just interested to find out how long a wait it's been to transfer Security Clearances during COVID-19. I saw one person mention it took 10 days for an expedited request. I'm on my 3rd week of waiting and hoping it won't be too much longer.

I'd like to think it's an administrative action to carry out the transfer, and it's the case of waiting for someone to look at it that causes it to take time. Especially with the number of people that are dealt with. From what I've been told, the processing time has been improving in the last couple of months.

[northernladuk]

We've already answered that on your other post didn't we?

If you read this thread (even if it's just the first few pages) you'll also find the answer you need. Not quite the answer but general advice that applies to every 'Will xxx affect my SC'.

[LeadingFrank]

Anyone passed SC clearance with points on drivers license ?

I unknowingly drove my father's car without being insured on it. I was then reported (for driving with undue care and attention) by a cyclist for stopping to let another cyclist pass. A notice was received from the police for driving with undue care and attention and i stated I was the driver. I then got another letter from the police stating that I was not insured.

I accept the no insurance which will come with 6 points but plan to challenge the other charge.

Will this type of offence adversely affect my chances for successful SC clearance? The job is with a government department.

[Whittlad]

Cost to the Sponsor

Hi,

How much does it cost the Sponsor to put someone through SC Clearance? Not the time factor but the actual fees?

Cheers

[malvolio]

https://www.warwickshire.police.uk/S...-may-20202.pdf

Read it and weep...The SLA's are notoriously not being met...

Agreed, although my NPPV3 a few years back was done in 5 days - between offer acceptance and first day on site.

SC was taking on average 2-3 months (and IME about half of that was waiting on the local team to do their thing after the vetting agency had done theirs...), so I can see that routinely doubling very easily. Much beyond that seems rather more unlikely.