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

[oracle]

Hi! This seems to be the most informed source of knowledge regarding SC, so I'll post a question I couldn't find the answer to ...
Once you have SC clearance, how long can you be outside of UK and still be able to maintain it? Can you have dual residency (UK-another EU country) and still be SC? Ex: 6 months in Portugal( or Ireland), then 6 months UK? Or simply: what's the longest overseas holidays you can have with SC?

I've been living in the UK for 11 years, and haven't been out more than 3 weeks so residency won't be a problem during application. I have full time UK remote work (work-from-home) but planning to reside in Ireland or Portugal for a substantial part of a year (max 6months) once covid settles. But a new role being offered requires SC, which the firm will process. So I need to know if I'll loose my "remote work from overseas" capability.

[malvolio]

Hi! This seems to be the most informed source of knowledge regarding SC, so I'll post a question I couldn't find the answer to ...
Once you have SC clearance, how long can you be outside of UK and still be able to maintain it? Can you have dual residency (UK-another EU country) and still be SC? Ex: 6 months in Portugal( or Ireland), then 6 months UK? Or simply: what's the longest overseas holidays you can have with SC?

I've been living in the UK for 11 years, and haven't been out more than 3 weeks so residency won't be a problem during application. I have full time UK remote work (work-from-home) but planning to reside in Ireland or Portugal for a substantial part of a year (max 6months) once covid settles. But a new role being offered requires SC, which the firm will process. So I need to know if I'll loose my "remote work from overseas" capability.

No idea. Depends entirely on your end client. NATO-member countries with a decent internal security system are probably OK, but nothing is guaranteed, So best ask your current/prospective SSO.

There are bigger issues however. If the potential client knows you're going abroad for an extended period, will they still offer you the job? Will they keep you on if you do move? It's not like there aren't lots of other candidates out there...

[oracle]

No idea. Depends entirely on your end client. NATO-member countries with a decent internal security system are probably OK, but nothing is guaranteed, So best ask your current/prospective SSO.

There are bigger issues however. If the potential client knows you're going abroad for an extended period, will they still offer you the job? Will they keep you on if you do move? It's not like there aren't lots of other candidates out there...

Hi! That's actually the reason why I need to figure this out soon. My current employer is ok with it, the new one I'm not sure. But the new employer know about my plans to move somewhere rural like Devon (delayed by Covid), so I'm just 'extending' the concept. So the SC "holiday" or residence limitation maybe the deal-breaker.

[pickod]

For those that care , I applied for SC on 21/01/21 for a government based project , my clearance arrived after 1 month for 10 years (surprisingly)

Others who applied at the same time or even before me are still waiting.

What we have heard is that the time it takes varies from 1 person to the next so that 'the perfect' answers cant be predicted.

[northernladuk]

For those that care , I applied for SC on 21/01/21 for a government based project , my clearance arrived after 1 month for 10 years (surprisingly)

Others who applied at the same time or even before me are still waiting.

What we have heard is that the time it takes varies from 1 person to the next so that 'the perfect' answers cant be predicted.

Good feedback thanks and grats on the clearance. I do think you've been very lucky with the one month so I'm pretty surprised as well but in 10 years (since I had mine) you'd hope they've done something to speed it up

[mallisarealperson]

I am surprised how many individuals put there SC on their Linkedin profile? I was always under the impression that was in breach of the official secrets act.

From what I have read in the past you cannot even put it on your CV. Instead you are ok to put government clearance but not state which one, at best.

Unless they are all liars.

[malvolio]

I am surprised how many individuals put there SC on their Linkedin profile? I was always under the impression that was in breach of the official secrets act.

From what I have read in the past you cannot even put it on your CV. Instead you are ok to put government clearance but not state which one, at best.

Unless they are all liars.

It is - any disclosure of clearance is a breach of the OSA, to the extent that, for example, MOD people are supposed to remove or conceal their name badges outside their workplace.

Many of the LinkedIn people will be with consultancies or other X-listed companies who are rather more cavalier about such things...

[xar18]

Hi all - I am currently completing the SC form for a new role, and wanted to ask about the HMRC investigation section. I was part of a scheme for circa 9 months (circa 2012), received the HMRC discovery/enquiry letters a few years back asking for settlement as per others, and fully settled within about 12 months with no further activity since then.

My query is whether this constitutes a formal 'HMRC investigation' that should be detailed on the SC form, or falls under general HMRC activity about taxes owed that doesn't need explicitly referenced.

Any pointers welcomed. Thanks

[malvolio]

Hi all - I am currently completing the SC form for a new role, and wanted to ask about the HMRC investigation section. I was part of a scheme for circa 9 months (circa 2012), received the HMRC discovery/enquiry letters a few years back asking for settlement as per others, and fully settled within about 12 months with no further activity since then.

My query is whether this constitutes a formal 'HMRC investigation' that should be detailed on the SC form, or falls under general HMRC activity about taxes owed that doesn't need explicitly referenced.

Any pointers welcomed. Thanks

If you got done for an settlement, it was as a result of an investigation. QED....

However it is unlikely to have any impact on your clearance, unless your potential client is deep into financial probity. So tell them is was an investigation that was settled by mutual agreement.

[xar18]

If you got done for an settlement, it was as a result of an investigation. QED....

However it is unlikely to have any impact on your clearance, unless your potential client is deep into financial probity. So tell them is was an investigation that was settled by mutual agreement.

Thats great - thanks for the info. Will update my SC form accordingly.