Can International Students Apply For Security Clearance?

A security clearance allows access to confidential nationwide safety information to a person filling a particular position. This data includes the stage of permission which holds as long as the person has a ‘call for knowledge’ of the information and indicated a non-disclosure concord. It is the official approval for something to precede or take place.  Security clearances can be issued for groups or individuals, and the information provided to the people who have them is classified. Let’s start with Can International Students Apply For Security Clearance.

Can International Students Apply For Security Clearance?

International students are not qualified to pertain for arrangements with any country’s central subdivision and organization needing secret safety allowance within the central government.

Do International Students Receive Jobs Requiring Security Clearance?

Non-residents of a particular country cannot be allowed security clearances, and to receive one, one must become a permanent resident. However, foreign nationals may be permitted with a Limited Access Authorization in brief situations. There are a total of three levels depending on the type of job a person has to sum up the chances of receiving a security clearance. They are as follows:

Top Secret

Such kinds of jobs are responsible for the highest credibility to the government. These jobs include FBI agent, Database Engineer, System Administrator, Cyber Security Engineer, etc. The chances of international students receiving such jobs are 100 percent unlikely. 

Secret

Jobs like Park Ranger, Test Pilot, Biometrics Expert, Astronaut, etc are considered highly important government jobs. The chances of international students getting these jobs are extremely unlikely. Though there is a minuscule amount of possibility and it is very rare.

Enhanced Reliability

Such jobs include biologists, teachers, directors, etc. International students are likely to receive these jobs since these jobs do not bear high credibility with the government. But these are still government jobs, and international students can still receive other benefits from the government through them.

Can H1B Get Students’ Security Clearance?

There have been many rumors circulating the internet regarding whether H1B can get international students a security clearance. H1B is a kind of Visa that come under the temporary immigrant category that allows students or employers to petition for highly educated foreign professionals to receive work in the ‘subjected profession’. Such occupations need a bachelor’s degree or anything equivalent to that.

Unfortunately, H1B cannot guarantee international students a security clearance; however, it can increase the chances of foreign immigrants receiving better jobs in their fields.

Are Green Card Holders Eligible For Public Trust Clearance?

 Even though a foreigner has the access to a green card it does not necessarily ensure them a security clearance or public trust clearance. They must be active, the official residence of the country. Though, a green card holder can rarely receive public security clearance. There are several sensitive positions in the government, but some do not require permanent residency.

A public trust position requires a high set of skills and for the person to be trustworthy in their field. Such jobs will provide them access to the financial data and susceptible information of the country. 

What Is The Role Of Security Clearance During A Job Application?

Many jobs in the Information technology sector need security clearance when it is required to access specific information. Security clearances can be issued for groups or individuals, and the information provided to the people who have them is classified. On a job application, security clearance is divided into three types: High risk, Moderate Risk, and Low-risk positions. Including them, the Defence Department (DoD) provides the professionals with a special access program.

This program is developed to prevent unauthorized users from gathering information. Other than U.S. citizens, only foreign national employees receive limited access to some of the classified information.

What Are The Levels Of Security Clearance?

Three stages of staff selection exist, with two sub-screening groups. They are as follows:

Security screening

Individuals who need to have RS because of their job or access to federal government assets will be required to sign the Personnel Screening, Consent, and Authorization Form 

Reliability Status, Standard (RS)

This stage of clearance will contribute to the right to use selected credentials with markings of confined A & B information/possessions on a basis. It is obligatory for individuals when the responsibility or tasks of a position or agreement demand access to sheltered information and possessions, despite the period of a task.

Reliability Status, Enhanced (ERS)

Adding to the Reliability Status, a customary test, open-source test, and safety survey or consultation are needed.

Security clearances

Individuals who require admittance to additional susceptible due to their profession will need to sign the Security Clearance Form. There are two stages of clearance:

Secret

Secret clearance is only settled after a dependability rank is cleared, with a positive CSIS safety evaluation. This level of authorization will allow the right to use selected and confidential information up to the Secret level on a need-to-know basis. Subdivision Heads have the prudence to permit an individual to access Top Secret-level information without higher-level authorization on a case-to-case basis.

Top Secret

In addition to the checks at the Secret level, overseas travels, possessions, and personality references must be given. A field check will also be performed before yielding the clearance.

Conclusion

Security clearance allows access to confidential nationwide safety information to a person filling a particular position. International students are not eligible to apply for positions with any Country’s federal departments. The chances of international students receiving jobs with security clearance are divided into top-secret, secret, and standard sections. H1B cannot guarantee international students a security clearance. There are five three levels of security clearances given above.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is the eligibility criterion for security clearance in the US?

If a person is employed by an association that directly helps the government with the information that is stated to be secret, then they will need a security clearance for their job.

  1. What disqualifies one from a security clearance?

A non-resident of a country, criminal records, drug addiction, dishonorable discharge, etc can disqualify one from a security clearance.

  1. How much is a top-secret clearance?

The average expense for the process of a top-secret clearance is between $3000 and $15000.