US security clearances
 

I've been looking at positions in the aerospace engineering sector and some, if not most, of them require eligibility for US security clearance in the job description.

I'm a bit concerned about shifting my career in this direction only to find later that the tastiest projects are off limits because I am a dirty Scotsman.

Although I have lived here for nearly a decade I'm quite clearly a dyed-in-the-wool ex-pat wanker. There's no hiding it.

So, have any on here successfully applied for high-level security clearances in the US, and if so, what sacrifices did you have to make?


To maximise future career options I'd quite like to hang onto my UK passport and (fingers crossed) EU citizenship if I can.

I am about 10 months away from being able to nab a US passport so I have time to figure this out.

Re: US security clearances
 

My vague understanding is that the way security clearances are handled with respect to dual citizens differs from agency to agency and with level of clearance needed. Ultimately some require renouncing, others just surrendering the passport, others nothing.

Re: US security clearances
 

So that's the term for what I am...

I don't know what's involved in "surrendering" a passport, but I do recall that the UK lets you have two.

Re: US security clearances
 

So does the US. Dual citizenship of itself is not the issue here. Having the ability to exercise a foreign preference is potentially. As I understand it, surrendering your passport means you remain a British citizen but you have given up the ability to run off to Britain.

Re: US security clearances
 

Having US citizenship is a requirement for most clearances. If you also hold another citizenship you will have to show the you hold "no foreign preference". Things like using a foreign passport, having assets overseas and even relatives are indicators of a possible foreign preference. You won't be required to renounce your non-US citizenship, but you might be asked if you would do it...you answer again goes to showing a foreign preference ....or not. You will probably be asked to hand over your UK passport to the security people where you work for "safe keeping" and you might also be asked to deface the passport by cutting off a corner so it cannot be used again. They will want to know about your friends and relatives and will conduct a number of interviews with references that you give.

Re: US security clearances
 

Having US passport would significantly strengthen your hand. And bear in mind that you can apply for citizenship 90 days before the third/fifth anniversary (whichever applies) of getting your green card.

Re: US security clearances
 

My children had to renounce their British Citizenship for security clearance.

Re: US security clearances
 

This isn't right, not even close. Please don't give advice unless you're certain it's true.

OP - PM me, and I'll talk you through it. I worked for a defense contractor for nearly 10 years.

Re: US security clearances
 

I don't know the source for your "probably be asked to hand over", but I never heard of that in a decade in defense contracting.

And, were it to happen, the employee's response would, of course, be: "well, for you to lock it away could cause a diplomatic incident, and I can't knowingly deface it, because it's not mine to deface.

Here are a couple of facts: I worked with a guy who had two citizenships (and actively held and travelled with his non-US passport), who held a TS/SBBI clearance with Yankee White. I also worked with another guy who held three citizenships, and held a TS/SCI.

Re: US security clearances
 

they may have been told that, but they didn't have to.

Re: US security clearances
 

Guideline C is fairly clear. As I said it varies agency to agency.
Adjudicative Guidelines for Determining Eligibility for Access to Classified Information

Re: US security clearances
 

As the service academies / DOD require it I will take their word over yours.

Re: US security clearances
 

It's clear you haven't spent a lot of time working with the military.

That's not definitive. It says "may", which is a world away from "will". In practice, simple possession and even regular use of a foreign passport is NOT an automatic denial. They're looking for other, supporting activities that may lead the subject to be a security risk.

My colleague with Yankee White, for example. He'd be in the Oval Office once every 90 days. That's a big deal; highly scrutinized, more frequent reviews. He never, ever made a secret of holding and using his other passport (because, in the security world, it's really, really best not to lie). When he traveled to Japan, Korea, Germany, and the UK - he'd always use his "other" passport. I asked him why, and he said "because adversaries hate <other nationality> more than Americans". It wasn't a problem.

Re: US security clearances
 

They don't require it. That's my point. You haven't cited any source, but here's one: NISPOM 2-209. Even non-US Citizens *can* get a clearance. It's incredibly rare; I've only seen it three or four times, and always in the most urgent of situation. But I've known literally dozens of dual nationals with clearances.

Re: US security clearances
 

From the point of view of security clearance you may have a point, but giving up foreign citizenships might be necessary to get the job. So there's not much point in arguing that you can get security clearance while holding dual citizenship if you can't get the job anyway.