If I Have A Security Clearance, May I Travel Abroad?

Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 3 mandates that all security clearance holders must report foreign travel before traveling overseas. This includes getting pre-approval, providing their travel itinerary to their security officer, and receiving a pre-travel security briefing. As summer travel season approaches, it is essential for security clearance holders to report any changes in personal circumstances that could affect their security clearance.

The number of denied security clearance cases under the foreign influence adjudicative guideline rose from 49 in 2021 to 64 in 2022. If you hold a national security clearance at CTC or above, you have a responsibility to report any change in your personal circumstances that could affect your security clearance.

As of August 24, 2022, federal contracting employees holding a personnel clearance (security clearance or “PCL”) must report any foreign travel to their director/commander. It is important to stay up-to-date on operational security standards and vacation with caution, especially if someone shows an unusually high number of denied security clearance cases.

Travel with an active clearance as long as it is notated and provided with a brief and debrief. It is possible to travel with an active clearance as long as it is notated and kept informed by the security office.

Security clearance requires a travel history, regardless of residence, and it is crucial to report all foreign travel, including business, to the Defense Business Board.

Can I travel internationally with a security clearance?

If you have a clearance, report any foreign travel and ensure you have access to sensitive compartmented information (SCI) or special access programs (SAP). If you don’t have a clearance, you may still be targeted for proprietary, sensitive information or data related to U. S. critical and emerging technologies. Contact your export control or legal office for guidance. University employees’ protection is taken seriously, and any suspicious activity should be reported to research security.

Is a security clearance a privilege?

A security clearance is a privilege, not a right, and the government can deny or revoke it for various reasons. The process is complex, and questions may arise about criminal incidents, substance abuse, medical issues, financial problems, or foreign influence. This can lead to a loss of a job in the national security field. An experienced advocate can help alleviate potential problems and make the best case against the denial of the clearance.

Denial or loss of a security clearance can be fatal to a career in national security, and problems can arise from seemingly innocuous mistakes or misstatements in the SF-85/86 forms. Talking with an attorney with experience with these forms can help craft the best application and avoid future issues with investigators.

Is top secret clearance for life?

Security clearances are typically renewed at five-year intervals for those at the Top Secret level and at ten-year intervals for those at the Secret level. This ensures that individuals are subject to periodic reinvestigation.

What does security clearance allow?

An enhanced Security Check (eSC) clearance represents a government-sanctioned process that permits routine unmonitored access to classified assets and periodic supervised access to those of the highest classification. It is employed when an augmented level of assurance is desired beyond the standard Security Check levels, though not at the elevated level of a full DV clearance. Those who may require an enhanced Security Check (eSC) clearance include individuals occupying positions that entail access to secret code-word material.

What countries are avoided by the US security clearance?

Travel to countries like Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Syria/Syria/Syrian Arab Republic, and Ukraine may require prior authorization from the United States Government. The University compiles a list of High-Risk Countries from sources like the University of Colorado Systems Risk Management, the Department of State, the Department of Treasury, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. US travelers are priority targets for cyber-attacks and surveillance, especially if they are engaged in classified or proprietary research in STEM fields.

Electronic devices and information may be at risk of physical tampering and cyber-attacks. In some cases, personal devices and luggage may be subject to involuntary government review. Limited access to specific websites or applications may be required due to international sanctions or unreliable connectivity.

What can you do with a security clearance?

The Personnel Vetting Process is a process used by the Department of Security and National Defense (DSS) and mission partners to assess an individual’s suitability for government employment, contractor fitness, eligibility for access to classified information, and authorization to be issued a federal credential. This process involves determining an individual’s suitability for government employment, contractor fitness, eligibility for access to classified information, and authorization to be issued a federal credential.

What are red flags for security clearance?

The following factors are commonly associated with the revocation of a security clearance: lack of citizenship, lack of loyalty to the United States or foreign influence, illicit substance use, mental incompetence, dishonorable military discharge, financial history, and criminal activity. In addition, other factors may result in the delayed or outright disqualification of an individual from obtaining a security clearance. The information provided in these areas will be instrumental in determining potential disqualifications.

Can I get TSA PreCheck if I have a security clearance?

The Secure Traveler Act is a bill aimed at expanding TSA PreCheck enrollment to expedite commercial travel screening and improve airport security. The bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a process to verify an active security clearance, allowing individuals with secret, top secret, L or Q clearances, or Yankee White clearances to participate in TSA PreCheck. The TSA also must establish a process for law enforcement officers to enroll in TSA PreCheck, provided they are employed by a public agency receiving federal financial assistance.

The bill specifies the requirements for maintaining eligibility and the grounds for revoking an individual’s participation in the TSA PreCheck program under these new enrollment processes. Additionally, the bill requires a report on the feasibility of expanding the enrollment processes to other Trusted Traveler Programs, such as Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS.

Is security clearance a big deal?

In the context of the contemporary employment market, the possession of a valid Secret clearance, particularly a Top Secret clearance, confers a significant advantage upon the individual in question. This is due to the fact that such a clearance allows the holder to undertake the duties of the position in question without undue delay or expense, particularly when the position in question requires it.

Is security clearance still active?

A clearance is considered active as long as the individual in question has access to classified information in the context of their employment. The Department of Defense has provided clarification that eligibility is not subject to expiration during the period of an investigation. In the event of a change in employment status from a cleared position or contract, the clearance is considered to remain current, provided that the investigation has not reached its expiration date. In the event that an individual obtains another cleared position within a two-year period, their clearance can be reactivated without the necessity of a new investigation.

What is the difference between Global Entry and security clearance?

Global Entry is a similar service to TSA PreCheck for domestic flights, offering shorter security lines and simpler screening processes. However, it offers benefits when traveling internationally, including bypassing much of the customs process. Upon arrival in a new country, passengers can visit a kiosk and avoid paperwork and interviews, while still adhering to customs restrictions. The application process for Global Entry is similar to TSA PreCheck, starting with an online application and an in-person appointment for a background check and fingerprinting.

A current passport is required for the appointment. The application fee is $100, slightly higher than TSA PreCheck due to its international benefits. The program is valid for five years, and renewals are required. However, the interview may be avoided. Each member of the traveling party must also pay the application fee and undergo the Global Entry interview process.