Can you travel with a security clearance?

Please note : U.S. government employees with a national security clearance are required to travel on their U.S. issued passports. Failure to use a U.S. passport when entering or exiting the U.S. is a security concern.

What countries can I not travel to with a security clearance?

If you have ties in Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Syria, Cuba, or Venezuela, you're in for an uphill battle. But there are also plenty of other countries we've seen deemed a “heightened risk” by various U.S. government agencies, and some of them may surprise you.

What can you not do with a security clearance?

Deliberately omitting or concealing from or falsifying facts on any personnel security questionnaire, personal history statement, or similar forms used to conduct investigations, determine employment qualifications, award benefits or status, determine security clearance eligibility or trustworthiness, or award ...

Can I leave the country while my security clearance is being processed?

traveling (especially) through friendly countries will not greatly affect your clearance process or delay it. Notify your security folks (who you submitted the paperwork to) and when/if you meet with an Investigator, provide them with the details. Have a good trip. Federal Background Investigator (Ret.)

What does a security clearance allow you to do?

A security clearance is a status granted to individuals allowing them access to classified information (state or organizational secrets) or to restricted areas, after completion of a thorough background check.

Summer Travel and Your Security Clearance

What are the 3 types of security clearance?

There are three levels of security clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret.

What is the highest security clearance you can get?

What is the highest security clearance you can get? The federal government provides three levels of clearance: confidential, secret, and top secret. Top secret clearance is the highest security clearance level anyone can get. A candidate's responsibilities determine the level of clearance granted.

How many years does a secret clearance go back?

Security Clearance Adjudicative Process

The clearance process for Secret level access uses an investigation called the National Agency Check with Law and Credit that goes back five years, while the clearance process for Top Secret uses a Single Scope Background Investigation that goes back ten years.

When you possess a security clearance which type of foreign travel must you report?

Covered persons must now report all unofficial foreign travel and foreign contacts. Foreign travel must be reported before the trip unless it's an unexpected crossing into Mexico or Canada, which can be reported within five days of return.

Can you travel to China with a security clearance?

Travel to China or contact with Chinese nationals is of particular concern for all clearance holders. DoD contractors require prior approval before having any contact with Chinese nationals involving technology. This is not surprising since the Chinese were suspected of being behind the OPM data hack.

Do security clearances check Internet history?

Although security clearance background checks can be intensely thorough, the government can't view your emails, Internet browsing history, hard drive data, and other virtual assets without a subpoena or warrant.

What is checked in a secret security clearance?

Credit and criminal history checks will be conducted on all applicants. For a Top Secret security clearance, the background investigation includes additional record checks which can verify citizenship for the applicant and family members, verification of birth, education, employment history, and military history.

How hard is top secret clearance?

Obtaining a top secret clearance is a lengthy process that involves an in-depth background check. Denial of a clearance can occur for a variety of reasons, including financial problems, mental disorders and criminal violations.

Can government employees travel internationally?

There are no Government-wide limits on official travel (i.e., travel conducted under an official travel authorization) for Federal employees, regardless of their vaccination status. Employees should follow their agency's travel policy.

Can I travel to Cuba with security clearance?

Get Pre-approval When headed to Cuba

Travel there is unlikely to be approved by security officials – and, to be clear, pre-approval is required for all current clearance-holders. Traveling without pre-approval or in defiance of a denial is an almost guaranteed security clearance revocation.

Can you travel if you work for the government?

As a government employee on official business, you may need the permission of the U.S. Embassy before heading to foreign soil. Some departments and agencies will handle this process for their employees, but others want you to do it yourself. Make sure you know the rules for your office.

Do they contact foreign contacts security clearance?

One of your many responsibilities as a person that holds a security clearance is reporting foreign contacts with whom you have close and/or continuing contact. You agree to this when you apply with the U.S. government for your security clearance.

What happens if you dont report foreign travel?

Don't Skip Reporting

Not only are our adversaries more aggressive than ever in their pursuit of U.S. intellectual property and assets, continuous vetting of cleared candidates means if you fail to report that overseas trip, it might just cost you your security clearance.

What counts as a foreign contact?

Who is a foreign contact? Foreign Nationals include any individual who is NOT a U.S. citizen. A permanent resident alien of the US, otherwise known as a “green card” holder, is a foreign contact. Dual citizens who hold the United States as a country of citizenship are NOT considered foreign contacts.

What disqualifies you from secret clearance?

According to the Adjudicating Guidelines, potential financial problems that risk your security clearance include: Poor credit choices over a period of time. Theft, embezzlement, tax evasion and other financial violations. Patterns of unpaid debt.

What causes a red flag on a background check?

Common background report red flags include application discrepancies, derogatory marks and criminal records.

Does secret clearance require polygraph?

Polygraph tests accompany some Top Secret or TS/SCI clearances; however, they are not required to obtain either type of clearance and are not part of the clearance background investigation.

How much is a Top Secret SCI clearance worth?

Taking into account the intensity of the process, you may be wondering, “How much is a top secret clearance worth?” As reported in January 2021, the average cost of a top secret security clearance was between $3,000 and $15,000, and these costs tend to be paid by the government for its own employees.

What is a Tier 5 security clearance?

Tier 5 – Top Secret Security Clearance

As the highest level of security clearance, applicants can expect a more rigorous examination. If approved, this clearance gives cleared personnel access to information or material that could cause disastrous damage to national security. Tier 5 is the only tier in this category.

What jobs can you get with a Top Secret clearance?