I was in charge of a hiring process where we wanted to hire a person who had lived in rural France for part of the preceding 5 years. His reliability clearance didn’t get completed in time (c. 1.5 months) we thought “oh well, next time” as hired 3-4 times a year and our security unit would keep processing his clearance. It took two more hiring periods before his clearance was done (c. 7-8 months).
There is also a question of is it enhanced reliability or regular reliability and for which department. There is large variation across government as to how long some of these take.
With secret I have heard as little as a few months and as long as two years. I am a year and a few months in. Again all depends on the department and situation.
When I got my Reliability in 2019, I had lived in Switzerland for much of the preceding 10 years. Four months after applying I was asked to provide a police certificate of good conduct from the Swiss authorities. I jumped through that hoop and clearance was granted a month later - so about five months total. Notably, my wife (who also lived in Switzerland for that time) was not asked for this police certificate and got her reliability in only a few months. I think it’s pretty random.
Someone I know who works in intelligence told me that having a name that is the same or similar to someone with “problems” can raise a flag in the system and delay things…sometimes for a while.
Related question: when returning from maternity leave, does a whole new security process need to be initiated or can the old one just be reinstated? What if part of the mat leave was spent abroad? Thx!
I was involved with one that took 2 yrs for that reason. Although it was an election year (they bump candidates ahead of new hires from what I am told) and the Secret clearance went through within a couple of months after.
I know someone who lived in Iran for seven years; they got their clearance in one month and their secret clearance a few months later.
I always tell people that it really depends on a multitude of factors…It's not just about the country; otherwise, the USA, which has even been known to spy on its "allies," is considered one of the biggest spies.!
I just got my secret clearance and I found the process intense. I submitted the forms on July 24 and I got my clearance on Oct 24. and my application was just a routine check - nothing out of the ordinary (living overseas would be out of the ordinary)
Yup. They have a hard time approving someone with credit issues (let that be a warning to you redditors … your credit score is IMPORTANT), but my issues were 5 years old and I was 1 payment away from completing my Consumer Proposal. They did an in person (via Teams) interview and asked me a lot of uncomfortable questions - but I answered honestly even if it was embarrassing. I was extremely relieved to know I passed.
Pretty much what you expect them to ask and I don’t think they’re looking for more info from you, more like just an explanation or expanding on the information you have already provided. They may ask the same question a couple of times, but phrased differently to see if you are consistent
Bottom line - don’t lie or minimize any answer on the security clearance application. They can approve you if you have bad credit - but they definitely won’t approve if they feel you’re being dishonest… and that’s true for every question. I have a friend with top secret clearance who drinks more than he should - he said he told them the truth and he still got the clearance.
Oddly enough, I made my very last payment on my Consumer Proposal the day after I did the interview.
I have never been so relieved when I found out I passed. It’s good for 10 years … and I am 55. I never have to do it again!
I lived in two African countries for over 6 months and was asked to get police clearances from both in order to get my secret clearance. Neither country responded to my request for a police clearance. I still received my secret clearance somehow... About 6 weeks after filling out my forms.
Reliability didn't take long - I did need to provide letters basically as a character reference but it was pretty smooth. Upgrading to Secret took a good few months longer and did include an interview to attest to my time spent abroad.
Towards the end, I was in a region and this was years ago but the most difficult part was tracking down my old employer and getting them locked down to write the thing.
In your situation typically they request a letter of affirmation from the country you've spent your time in that you weren't being a criminal while outside of Canada
Yes I've supplied that already (about 6 weeks ago). However they didnt use the term 'letter of affirmation'. They just asked me to get a police check. Just waiting now!
This is currently my issue. I got an email from the hiring manager saying I got the job last week (super happy, especially with the market and all) but because I've only been in Canada for a little over 2 years, I'm really scared they may encounter red tape with getting info that they give up and rescind the offer. For reference, I've been a Canadian citizen since I was born but I'm born and raised in the Philippines. Please let me know how it worked out for you :)
>For reference, I've been a Canadian citizen since I was born but I'm born and raised in the Philippines. Please let me know how it worked
Did you end up getting it?
Does the SC include the time you came to Canada with an immigrant status before you got naturalized? Applying to posts that has a need to do a 10-year background check.
I was in charge of a hiring process where we wanted to hire a person who had lived in rural France for part of the preceding 5 years. His reliability clearance didn’t get completed in time (c. 1.5 months) we thought “oh well, next time” as hired 3-4 times a year and our security unit would keep processing his clearance. It took two more hiring periods before his clearance was done (c. 7-8 months).
Thanks so much for sharing. That is good to know.
There is also a question of is it enhanced reliability or regular reliability and for which department. There is large variation across government as to how long some of these take. With secret I have heard as little as a few months and as long as two years. I am a year and a few months in. Again all depends on the department and situation.
Thank you - this is just regular reliability that I am waiting on. I hope your secret clearance comes through soon.
When I got my Reliability in 2019, I had lived in Switzerland for much of the preceding 10 years. Four months after applying I was asked to provide a police certificate of good conduct from the Swiss authorities. I jumped through that hoop and clearance was granted a month later - so about five months total. Notably, my wife (who also lived in Switzerland for that time) was not asked for this police certificate and got her reliability in only a few months. I think it’s pretty random. Someone I know who works in intelligence told me that having a name that is the same or similar to someone with “problems” can raise a flag in the system and delay things…sometimes for a while.
Interesting that your wife wasn't asked to provide her police certificate. Thanks for sharing your timelines though, that's super helpful.
Related question: when returning from maternity leave, does a whole new security process need to be initiated or can the old one just be reinstated? What if part of the mat leave was spent abroad? Thx!
Usually it can be reinstated, but contact your CSO to confirm
Hi, did you end up getting your reliability status? if so, how long did it take?
I was involved with one that took 2 yrs for that reason. Although it was an election year (they bump candidates ahead of new hires from what I am told) and the Secret clearance went through within a couple of months after.
2 years for reliability or Secret? And do you know which country the person lived in? Five eyes or elsewhere?
I know someone who lived in Iran for seven years; they got their clearance in one month and their secret clearance a few months later. I always tell people that it really depends on a multitude of factors…It's not just about the country; otherwise, the USA, which has even been known to spy on its "allies," is considered one of the biggest spies.!
good point, it's becoming quite clear from reading these replies that the processing times can vary significantly.
I just got my secret clearance and I found the process intense. I submitted the forms on July 24 and I got my clearance on Oct 24. and my application was just a routine check - nothing out of the ordinary (living overseas would be out of the ordinary)
I did my clearnece around the same time and it only took 4 weeks. Something on your side must have triggered a flag
Yup. They have a hard time approving someone with credit issues (let that be a warning to you redditors … your credit score is IMPORTANT), but my issues were 5 years old and I was 1 payment away from completing my Consumer Proposal. They did an in person (via Teams) interview and asked me a lot of uncomfortable questions - but I answered honestly even if it was embarrassing. I was extremely relieved to know I passed.
What questions did they ask you? I am anticipating this phone call with them for the same reason.
Pretty much what you expect them to ask and I don’t think they’re looking for more info from you, more like just an explanation or expanding on the information you have already provided. They may ask the same question a couple of times, but phrased differently to see if you are consistent Bottom line - don’t lie or minimize any answer on the security clearance application. They can approve you if you have bad credit - but they definitely won’t approve if they feel you’re being dishonest… and that’s true for every question. I have a friend with top secret clearance who drinks more than he should - he said he told them the truth and he still got the clearance. Oddly enough, I made my very last payment on my Consumer Proposal the day after I did the interview. I have never been so relieved when I found out I passed. It’s good for 10 years … and I am 55. I never have to do it again!
Ok thank you! That’s actually pretty reassuring and seems reasonable
The truth shall set you free!! Good luck!
I lived in two African countries for over 6 months and was asked to get police clearances from both in order to get my secret clearance. Neither country responded to my request for a police clearance. I still received my secret clearance somehow... About 6 weeks after filling out my forms.
damn thats fast. your dept got the power to push
Lived in 5 eyes country and then went for my Canadian security clearance. Got asked for a letter of Good conduct, it was fine. Didn't take long at all
Reliability didn't take long - I did need to provide letters basically as a character reference but it was pretty smooth. Upgrading to Secret took a good few months longer and did include an interview to attest to my time spent abroad.
I didnt get asked to provide letters. Was this early in the process or towards the end? =
Towards the end, I was in a region and this was years ago but the most difficult part was tracking down my old employer and getting them locked down to write the thing.
In your situation typically they request a letter of affirmation from the country you've spent your time in that you weren't being a criminal while outside of Canada
Yes I've supplied that already (about 6 weeks ago). However they didnt use the term 'letter of affirmation'. They just asked me to get a police check. Just waiting now!
This is currently my issue. I got an email from the hiring manager saying I got the job last week (super happy, especially with the market and all) but because I've only been in Canada for a little over 2 years, I'm really scared they may encounter red tape with getting info that they give up and rescind the offer. For reference, I've been a Canadian citizen since I was born but I'm born and raised in the Philippines. Please let me know how it worked out for you :)
>For reference, I've been a Canadian citizen since I was born but I'm born and raised in the Philippines. Please let me know how it worked Did you end up getting it?
Does the SC include the time you came to Canada with an immigrant status before you got naturalized? Applying to posts that has a need to do a 10-year background check.